BI303 - Section 2 Lecture 8

What is one task an ecologist performs?

Conduct environmental impact assessments

Why do ecologists conduct habitat surveys?

To assess environmental conditions and biodiversity

How do ecologists conduct habitat surveys?

By designing and impelenting conservation programs

What type of surveys do ecologists conduct?

Field surveys to collect biological information

What is the role of databases in ecology?

To keep and update biological information

What is conservation biology?

A multidisciplinary science addressing biodiversity loss

Which fields does conservation biology combine?

Ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography

How can knowledge of biotic interactions aid conservation?

By informing predator addition or removal strategies

What is herbivorys impact on ecosystems?

It can have positive and negative economic impacts

What is the effect of deer herbivory in Killarney?

It leads to habitat degradation through overgrazing

What is WN1 in semi-natural forest types in Ireland?

Oak-birch-holly woodland

What characterises WN3 Yew woodland?

It's dominated by yew (Taxus baccata)

What is ecological restoration?

Assisting the recovery of degraded ecosystems

What did the Bonn Challenge commit leaders to do?

Restore 150 million hectares of degraded forests

How can biotic interactions be used in resoration programs?

To design eddicient ecological resoration strategies

What is the largest national park in the US lower 48?

Yellowstone

What happened after wolves were introduced to Yellowstone?

Significant declines in elk numbers occurred

What was the impact of wolves on tree populations in Yellowstone?

Browsing damage to trees declined

What is biological control of invasive species?

Using natural enemies to mitigate pests

What is the enemy release hypothesis?

Invasive species face less natural enemy regulation

What is a cautionary tale in biological control?

The cane toad's introduction to Australia

What was the purpose of introducing cane toads to Australia?

To control the greyback cane beetle

What was the outcome of the cane toad introduction?

It harmed native amphibian populations

What is applied ecology?

A sub-field applying ecology to real world questions

What are the key concepts of conservation biology?

Multidisciplinary science.
Addresses loss of biodiversity.
Combines ecology, genetics, evolution, biogeography.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of biological control methods?

Strenghts - environmentally sound, effective in pest reduction.
Weaknesses - potential for unintended consequences, requires careful management.

What are the types of ecological restoration processes?

Top down processes.
Botton up processes.

What are the impacts of herbivory on ecosystems?

Influences eviromental health.
Affects human livelihoods.

What are the ecological effects of reintroducing apex predators?

Decline in herbivore populations.
Increase in plant diversity.
Enhances ecosystem complexity.