Conservation & Sustainability Notes

Conservation & Sustainability

• Overview: In-depth themes from Chapters 9 and 22 of the environmental sciences course, focusing on conservation strategies and sustainability practices.
• Key Textbook References: Chapters 9 (pp. 243-274) and 22 (pp. 700-713, 723-724).

Biodiversity Recap

• Definition: Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life at all levels: genes, species, populations, communities, and ecosystems across geographic scales.
• Species Richness: Refers to the number of different species in a community. It is higher near the equator (latitudinal gradient).

Importance of Biodiversity

• Provisional Services: Includes genetic diversity which is essential for food production and health of populations.
• Cultural Services: Encompasses the aesthetic, ethical, and spiritual value of nature for humans.
• Supporting Services: Services like the cycling of nutrients and water, crucial for ecosystem functionality.
• Regulating Services: Involves climate regulation and protection from natural hazards.

Global Changes Affecting Biodiversity

• Drivers: Climate change, habitat loss, species introductions, and biogeochemical cycles.
• Mass Extinction Events: Significant drops in biodiversity linked to drastic environmental changes historically, often leading to rapid extinctions.

Extinction and Extirpation

• Extinction: Natural process with a baseline rate but can spike due to catastrophic events.
• Extirpation: Local extinction; a species may still exist in other areas but is lost from a specific location.

Historical Extinctions

• Timeline of Major Extinctions: Significant extinctions correlated with human emergence and environmental changes (e.g., North America: 72% large mammal extinction 10,000 - 11,500 years ago).
• Example: Introduced species often contribute to the decline or extinction of endemic species.

Modern Threats to Biodiversity

• Habitat Loss: The foremost threat, encompasses habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation.
• Overexploitation: Intense harvesting of species such as fish can lead to population declines.

Understanding Sustainability

• Sustainability Defined: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations as per the United Nations’ definition.
• Development Goals: Integration of environmental sustainability with economic growth and social equity.

Conservation vs. Preservation

• Conservation: Involves active management and restoration of ecosystems.
• Preservation: A hands-off approach aiming to protect natural areas from human interference.
• Conservation Biology: Integrative science addressing biodiversity loss through understanding ecological impacts and implementing mitigative strategies.

Habitat Fragmentation

• Impact of Fragmentation: Smaller ecosystems lose diversity faster than larger contiguous areas.
• Species Vulnerability: Larger species and interior specialists are more affected by habitat edge effects.

Remediation and Restoration Strategies

• Habitat Restoration: Activities such as recreating destroyed habitats and establishing wildlife corridors to mitigate fragmentation impacts.

Legislation for Species Protection

• SARA (Species at Risk Act, 2002): A Canadian law addressing species at risk, necessitating cooperation among stakeholders.
• COSEWIC: Reports on the status of endangered wildlife in Canada.
• IUCN: Provides global assessments of species conservation status.

Categories Under SARA

• Extinct, Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern: Five classifications of species at risk, each with specific definitions regarding their current status and threats faced.

Ecosystems at Risk in British Columbia

• Garry Oak Woodland Ecosystem: An endangered ecosystem under threat from urban development and invasive species.
• Diverse Threats: Ecosystem conversion, degradation, and significant loss of wetlands emphasized as major concerns.

Top Threats to Biodiversity in BC

• Key Human Activities: Climate change, forestry, agriculture, and invasive species as primary threats along with urban development.
• Ecosystem Degradation: Consequences like altered water flow and habitat quality due to resource extraction and urbanization.

Key Takeaways

• Biodiversity is critical for ecosystem health and human survival, making conservation efforts vital.
• Education and legislative frameworks play a crucial role in protecting at-risk species and ecosystems.
• Sustainable practices need to be integrated into all aspects of human activity to balance ecological health with economic development.