Conservation Biology and Climate Change

Ecosystem Services

Services provided by natural processes that yield economic benefits for people.

direct services

Services that directly provide a tangible benefit to humans such as food production, clean water, and raw materials.

indirect services

Services that support the functioning of ecosystems, thereby indirectly benefiting humans (e.g., nutrient cycling, pollination, climate regulation).

Provisioning Services

Food, water, raw materials, medicinal resources, and fresh water.

Cultural Services

Recreation, ecotourism, aesthetic values, spiritual and religious values.

Supporting Services

Photosynthesis, soil formation, pest regulation, disease regulation, moderation of extreme events, pollination.

Regulating Services

Nutrient cycling, water regulation, air quality regulation, climate regulation, and erosion regulation.

Biodiversity

The variety of species in an ecosystem, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Species Diversity

Number of different species in a community and their relative abundance.

Genetic Diversity

Changes in the frequency of alleles in a population from one generation to the next.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Trophic Cascades

a chain reaction in an ecosystem. They describe how changes at one level of the food chain can have strong, indirect effects on other levels, often far down the chain

Numerical Trophic Cascades

Happens when there are changes in the number of individuals or the total weight (biomass) of animals

Behavioural Trophic Cascades

These cascades involve changes in how animals act, particularly their feeding habits or activity levels.

Carnivore Decline Impact

Declines in large carnivores lead to significant changes in the abundance and prey species.

Restoration Techniques in Conservation

• Removal of pollutants or invasive species.

• Revegetation.

• Reintroduction of native species.

• Reestablishment of hydrological processes or natural disturbances.

Native Species

Naturally occurring in an area.

Non-native Species

Do not occur naturally but do not harm ecosystem.

Invasive Species

Introduced species harmful to ecosystem functions.

Biological Magnification

Concentration of toxins increases as you move up the food chain.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions.

Climate

Long-term averages of atmospheric conditions, requiring careful statistical calculations to understand shifts.

Climate Change

Refers to significant alterations in average climate conditions over time, primarily due to human actions.

phenology

Shifts in natural events like flowering and animal reproduction due to climate warming.

Effects of Climate Change

Altered phenology: Shifts in natural events like flowering and animal reproduction due to climate warming.

Increased frequency of severe weather events such as wildfires and droughts.

Species survival jeopardized by timing mismatches between breeding and food availability.

Carbon cycle:

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into solid forms. Organisms return some carbon into the atmosphere