Ch 10 Forests and Public Land

Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity

Saving Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services

Key Concepts and Threats to Biodiversity

  • Biomagnification Example: DDT pesticide accumulation in food chains affecting bird reproduction.

  • Threats to Biodiversity: Habitat destruction, invasive species, population growth, greenhouse effects, overexploitation.

    • Examples of activities leading to threats include logging, urban development, sale of exotic pets.

Costa Rica: A Global Conservation Leader

  • Conservation Efforts: Established reserves and national parks, with over 25% of land for biodiversity conservation.

  • Biodiversity: Includes over 500,000 species, with high bird diversity in specific parks.

  • Deforestation Reduction: Elimination of incentives for conversion of forests to agriculture; payment for tree cover maintenance.

Forest Ecosystems

  • Major Threats: Unsustainable logging, invasive species, climate change impacts, and wildfires.

  • Tree Plantations vs. Natural Forests: Managed forests may produce wood but are less biodiverse and do not provide same ecosystem services.

  • Economic Services of Forests: Wood production, carbon sequestration, habitat provision, erosion reduction, and medicinal resources.

Management Strategies for Forests

  • Sustainable Practices: Selective cutting, stop logging in old-growth areas, maintain biodiversity through practices that emphasize ecosystem services.

  • Fire Management: Controlled burns can prevent larger destructive fires; however, the role of natural fires vs. prescribed burns needs careful consideration.

Grasslands and Rangeland Management

  • Overgrazing Issues: Leads to land degradation; sustainable grazing practices such as rotational grazing can help.

Parks and Nature Reserves Management

  • Environmental Threats: Illegal activities like poaching and logging; invasive species causing ecological damage in parks.

  • Design Recommendations: Larger protected areas with buffer zones are essential for maintaining ecosystems.

Ecosystem Approach to Biodiversity

  • Five-Point Strategy:

    1. Map ecosystems and inventory species and services.

    2. Identify resilient ecosystems and protect them.

    3. Restore degraded ecosystems.

    4. Develop financial incentives for biodiversity protection.

    5. Incorporate wildlife corridors.

Biodiversity Hotspots

  • Importance: Areas rich in native species needing urgent protection; only cover 2% of Earth's surface yet home to 50% of plant species.

  • Case Study - Madagascar: High endemism but severe habitat loss.

Ecological Restoration & Reconciliation Ecology

  • Restoration Practices: Identifying degradation causes, controlling invasive species, and rehabilitating ecosystems for better biodiversity.

  • Community Involvement: Success in restoration often requires local systems and community participation.

Individual Actions for Sustainability

  • Planting trees, recycling, supporting sustainable wood products, and participating in ecological restoration projects.