Conservation

physical alteration of habitats

Most severe human impact on biodiversity is from this - agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization

fragmented

habitat alteration that has caused many species have lost population size
and genetic diversity necessary for reproduction and viability

deforestation

(clearing of areas of
forested land) is destroying habitat for
many land-based plants and animals,
and causes soil erosion

edge effects

occur where two or more
types of habitats come together
(meadow or human development next
to forest), usually resulting in less
biodiversity

overexplotation

human impact that describes the effect on fish and plains bison

invasive species

When foreign species are introduced to new
habitat, natural predators are not often
present

instrumental value

The worth of something based on its utility for human
purposes

intrinsic value

The worth of something in and of itself, regardless of
human use or benefit.

provisioning services

goods ecosystems
supply for human use (food, water, timber,
medicine)

regulating services

natural processes that
stabilize conditions (climate regulation, water
purification, flood control)

supporting services

fundamental processes
that sustain all others (nutrient cycling, soil
formation, photosynthesis)

cultural services

non-material benefits that
enrich life (recreation, aesthetics, spiritual
value)

value chains

track how ecosystem goods
and services (e.g., timber, fisheries,
pollination) generate value through
production, trade, and consumption. Shows
how nature is embedded in markets.

replacement costs

estimate the expense
of substituting lost ecosystem functions
with artificial or technological solutions
(e.g., building a water treatment plant to
replace wetland purification).

willingness to pay

surveys or market
behavior reveal how much people are
prepared to pay to preserve or restore
ecosystems (e.g., clean air, scenic
landscapes, endangered species)

size, connectivity, and buffers

effectiveness of a preserve depends on these 3 factors

size

larger areas sustain more species
and healthier populations

connectivity

wildlife corridors and
nearby reserves allow migration and
gene flow.

buffers

surrounding zones shield core
habitats from external pressures

national park service

Protect areas of scenic, historical, or
scientific importance

recreation

original focus of national park service

national monuments and recreation areas

Protect areas of historic, cultural, or
natural significance, managed by several agencies

national wildlife refuges

Established to conserve fish, wildlife, and plant
species and their habitats.

national forests

Established to manage forests, grasslands,
and watersheds for multiple uses. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
under the Department of Agriculture

bureau of land management lands

Established to manage grazing and mining on federal
lands.

wilderness areas

Designated as the “most protected”
federal lands in the U.S., managed by multiple agencies

aquatic and marine areas

U.S. federal government designates ocean
shorelines and islands for protection,
working with state, tribal, and local
governments.

boundaries, ecological island, edge effects

limitations of protected areas

ecological island effect

limitation of preserves that causes Higher risk of disease, Inbreeding from limited gene flow, Less ability to adapt to climate change

edge effects

causes boundaries vulnerable to
predators, invasives, or human disturbance.

wildlife corridors

connect habitats for
migration and gene flow

buffer zones

reduce outside pressures on
core reserves.

habitat networks

link multiple protected
areas across the landscape.

eminent domain

land trusts

conservation easements

tradeable development rights

payments for ecosystem services

lacey act

prohibits trade in wildlife,
fish, or plants taken illegally, establishing U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce it

migratory bird treaty act

protects more than 800 bird species

marine mammal protection act

protects whales, dolphins, seals, and manatees

endnagered species act

protects
both endangered plants and animals from
hunting and trapping

Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora

international agreement
banning hunting, capturing, and selling of
endangered and threatened species

convention on biological diversity

international agreement committing
countries to pass laws to expand protected
areas, restore degraded ecosystems, and
ensure sustainable and equitable human
use of ecosystem services

sustainable forest management

Balance forest use for harvest with long-
term biodiversity protection.

ecological restoration

process of
assisting recovery of an entire ecosystem