Topic 12; Anthropogenic impacts and conservation success

anthropocene

the current geological epoch, starting from the significant impact of human activities on Earth's geology and ecosystems, including climate change and biodiversity loss.

what makes anthropocene geological

epoch distinct is primarily the alteration of Earth's natural systems due to human actions, including widespread urbanization, deforestation, and pollution, which have left a lasting imprint on the planet's landscape and climate.shift from natural enviormental changes to human driven impact on ecosystems.

epoch meaning

a period of time in Earth's history characterized by distinct geological and ecological changes.

the great acceleration

explosive growth of human population, economy and consumption after 1950s that resulted in unprecedented environmental changes, pushing ecosystems beyond their natural thresholds.

whats the main problem caused by the great acceleration

increase population , consumption and techonology concetrated in wealthy nations at same time rapidly

the great acceleration caused all the graphs of co2 temp and species loss deforestation to look like

exponential increases in trends. , flat for milenia prior to 1950, showing dramatic spikes in the last few decades.

markers of anthropocene (6)

• plastics rapidly produced now being found within marine environments, and even artic ice

• Concrete; more produced since 1950 then in all prior human history

• heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium concentrated in sediments and ice from industrial activity

• radionuclides such as cesium-137 and plutonium-239 from nuclear tests and accidents

• nitrogen cycle distribution; massive alterations in nitrogen levels due to agricultural practices and industrial emissions, leading to eutrophication and biodiversity loss.

• carbon isoptope shift from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, indicating significant changes in carbon sources and sinks.

whats a mass extinction event

a rapid, widespread decrease in Earth’s biodiversity where at least 75% of all species vanish within a geologically short period (<2million years)

how many mass extinction events occured

5

whats the 6th mass extinction event

currently occuring, debetable butlargely attributed to human activities, including habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution, resulting in a significant and ongoing loss of biodiversity.

IUCN red list

A comprehensive inventory that assesses the conservation status of species, categorizing them based on their risk of extinction.

six major threats

HIPPCO

acronym for Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate change, and Overexploitation.

what is the dominant threat of extinction

Habitat distruction

invasive species hypothesis explaining why they outperform native species

Enemy Release Hypothesis; escape predators, pathogens in new enviorment, energy spent on reproduction instead

Novel weapon Hypothesis; invasive species have unique traits that give them an advantage over native species

population growth hippco

refers to the increasing human population pressure, which exacerbates habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation, thus threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.

Pollution HIPPCO

refers to the contamination of air, water, and soil by harmful substances resulting from human activities, which impacts wildlife and ecosystems.

Climate Change HIPPCO

refers to long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns caused by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, leading to significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Overexploitation in HIPPCO

refers to the unsustainable use of natural resources, such as overfishing or excessive logging, which depletes populations and disrupts ecosystems.

Synergistic effects/threaths

multiple stressors acting together that amplify impacts on ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to changes and degradation.

anthropocene refers to

the current geological epoch, characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.

key consuqwnce of habitat fragmentation

is the reduction of habitat availability, leading to smaller, isolated populations and decreased biodiversity.

Climate change HIPPCO

long term shift of climate of location, region or planet, broader than global warming due to conditioons becoming more extreme

weather vs climate

weather; short term temp, humidity etc

climate; long term atmospheric patterns and averages

whats the IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific body established by the United Nations to assess the state of climate science, impacts, and responses, providing policymakers with regular updates on climate change knowledge.

clearest indicator of climate change

glaciersare retreating and thinning globally, indicating rising temperatures.

artic sea ice melt effects from global warming

frozen ocean water that forms and melts seasonally across arctic ocean reduced, loss of albedo (reflection) and ocean absorbs more heat leading to more warming

Permafrost Thaw and effect of Climate change

• ground remains frozen over more than 2 yrs

• stores carbon and methane, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions if melted due to raising temps

• destabilized landscape

Ocean acidification effect due to Climate change

results from increased CO2 absorption in oceans, leading to lower pH levels, which harms marine life especially organisms with calcium carbonate structures like corals and shellfish. This process disrupts marine ecosystems and food webs, impacting biodiversity and fisheries.

4 biological responses to climate change

• Phenology

• Range Shifts

• Ecosystem cascades

• human health

phenology biological response to climate change

• timing of seasonal life cycle events in organisms shifting , temperature being the driveraffecting mating, migration, and flowering times.

Phenological mismatch

when seasonal events shift out of synch between species and their resources

range shifts biological responses to climate change

changes in species distribution resulting from shifting climate conditions, often leading to movement toward cooler areas or higher elevations.

climate feedback

processes that can amplify or dampen the effects of climate change, such as changes in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from alterations in ecosystems.

ecosystem cascades as biological response to climate change

the indirect effects that changes in one species can have on others within the ecosystem, often leading to significant alterations in community structure or function.

bottom up control ecosystem cascades

occur when resource availability influences the structure of higher trophic levels, affecting the entire ecosystem dynamics.

ecosystem impacts of ecosystem cascades in arctic

ice dependent species decline, open water species increasedue to changes in habitat and food availability caused by climate shifts.

Human health effects by climate change

climate change can lead to increased incidence of heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory issues due to air quality deterioration. also cause climate displacemnt

Response to cc ; Mitigation

Actions that reduce/prevent GHG emissions or enhance their removal from atmosphereto slow the pace of climate change.

mitigation; carbon tax

a financial charge levied on carbon emissions, designed to encourage reductions in greenhouse gas output and promote cleaner energy sources.

mitigation; technology

Innovative methods and tools developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainable practices. Renweable energy sources, like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, are key components of these technologies.

Mitigation; natural climate solutions

most effective

strategies for lowering atmospheric CO2 levels through conservation, restoration, and improved land management practices.

global agreemets ; mitigation

international pacts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable development. not as effective because not enforced enough

Which scenario best illustrates a phenological mismatch?

a Caribou migrate earlier, and plants also green up earlier

b Caterpillars emerge earlier, while migratory birds arrive at their usual time

c Plants flower earlier due to warming

d Trees grow faster due to increased CO₂

b Caterpillars emerge earlier, while migratory birds arrive at their usual time.

What is the primary chemical consequence of excess CO2 absorption by

the world's oceans?

It leads to ocean acidification, which impacts marine life and ecosystems.

Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop in

climate change?

a Increased cloud cover reflecting sunlight and cooling the Earth

b Melting sea ice reducing reflection of light and increasing heat absorption

c Increased plant growth absorbing more CO₂ from the atmosphere

d Ocean currents redistributing heat globally

b Melting sea ice reducing reflection of light and increasing heat absorption.

Canada's Species at Risk Act listed Boreal Caribou as Threatened in 2003, yet

most populations keep declining. What does this BEST illustrate?

a Legal listing is insufficient without enforcement, habitat protection, and

political will

b SARA is effective but boreal caribou need a different type of conservation

intervention

c Boreal caribou populations are too large to monitor and protect effectively

d Climate change has made boreal forest habitats unsuitable for caribou recovery

a Legal listing is insufficient without enforcement, habitat protection, and political will.

At COP15 in Montreal (2022), 196 nations signed the Kunming-Montreal Global

Biodiversity Framework. What is its headline target?

a Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2015 levels by 2030

b Protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030

c Restore 30 million hectares of degraded wetlands and forests by 2030

d Commit $30 billion USD annually to developing-nation conservation funds

b Protect 30% of the world's land and oceans by 2030.

How did conservation emerge? At COP15 in Montrnds
b

conservation emerged as a necessary political response aimed at protecting biodiversity and ecosystems from the detrimental impacts of unchecked industrial capitalism, highlighting the need for sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship.

what was the book that launched modern enviormntal movments

"Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson a marine biologist

DDT enviormentalism

refers to the activism and awareness surrounding the dangers of the pesticide DDT, highlighted in Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," which brought attention to its harmful effects on the environment and human health.

what steps in conservation did carsons book create

1. recoveries, proof of concept, identify mechanism and remove it

2. the science; species monitoring , measuring what was being lost at what rate

3. awareness; governments pushed to act, regulate and be accountable

4. the laws; establishment of environmental protection laws and regulations

SARA conservation law

canadas flagship biodiversity law; lists and protects endangered species

Fisheries Act

Canada's primary legislation for the protection and management of fish and their habitats, aimed at conserving aquatic ecosystems.

Canadas National Parks Act

The legislation that establishes a system of national parks in Canada, ensuring the preservation of natural landscapes and biodiversity for future generations.

Impact Assesment Act

The law that requires the assessment of potential environmental impacts of projects before they are approved, aiming to promote sustainable development and protect ecosystems.

Provincial and Territorial laws

wildlife acts; species protection and hunting regulation

Recovery as a step to conservation always looks like

identifying, regulating and managing drivers of decline

tragedy of the commons

when a shared resource is overused because nobody feels responsible for protecting it, leading to overexploitation

why conservation laws fall short

• slow response time

• weak enforcment, limited funding and capacity

• political and economic pressure

• reactive not proactive; lack to prevent and only respond when damage already severe

• Treating symptoms not causes

challenges of protecting habitats

• prioritizing biodiversity hotspots and high value ecosystems (KBAs= Key Biodiversity Areas)

• ongoing human expansion

30×30 plan

An initiative aiming to protect 30% of Earth's land and oceans by the year 2030, to combat biodiversity loss and address climate change.

indigenous led conservation causes

80% of earths remaining biodiversity found in indigenous territories

and these communities play a crucial role in protecting ecosystems through traditional knowledge and practices.

What past conservation efforts have taught us

1. Remove or reduce the primary threat

2. Strong kaws are essential but not sufficent

3. Habitat protection is crucial for species to survive

4. people must be involved , those that benefit from conservation become strong advocates

5. it takes timeand sustained effort to see results. Understanding these lessons emphasizes the need for adaptive management and community engagement.