AICE Environmental Management Unit 4: Managing Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Biomes

  • Definition: A biome is a large ecological area characterized by similar climate, vegetation, and soil type.

  • Desert Biome:

    • Climate: Arid, very low precipitation, high evaporation.

    • Soil: Shallow, coarse, well-drained, often infertile due to low nutrient levels.

    • Vegetation: Drought-resistant plants (xerophytes) with adaptations to minimize water loss.

  • Tropical Rainforest:

    • Climate: Warm and humid, abundant rainfall, low diurnal temperature variation near the equator.

    • Soil: Thin, nutrient-poor, easily eroded due to heavy rainfall.

    • Vegetation: High biodiversity with a dense canopy limiting sunlight.

  • Grassland:

    • Climate: Semi-arid to semi-humid with seasonal variations in precipitation.

    • Soil: Deep, red in color, high in iron.

    • Vegetation: Dominated by grasses, with some shrubs and trees.

  • Tundra:

    • Climate: Cold, long winters, short summers, low precipitation mostly as snow.

    • Soil: Permafrost inhibits drainage and limit plant growth.

    • Vegetation: Low-growing, hardy plants with shallow root systems.

Ecological Succession

  • Definition: Gradual changes in ecological community composition over time.

  • Primary Succession:

    • Occurs in barren areas (e.g., volcanic islands, glacial retreats).

    • Pioneer species (lichens, mosses) colonize first, leading to soil formation.

    • Final stage is a climax community.

  • Secondary Succession:

    • Happens in previously inhabited areas post-disturbance (e.g., fire, logging).

    • Soil is present, leading to the quick establishment of vegetation.

Primary Productivity

  • Gross Primary Production (GPP): Total energy fixed by plants during photosynthesis.

  • Net Primary Production (NPP): GPP minus the energy used for respiration; indicates chemical energy available to consumers.

  • Biomass: Collective mass of living matter; high NPP correlates with high biomass.

  • Energy Transfer Efficiency: Approximately 10% energy is transferred between trophic levels, with losses due to heat, excretion, and indigestible matter.

Ecological Pyramids

  • Types:

    • Pyramid of Energy: Always upright; smaller energy at higher trophic levels.

    • Pyramid of Biomass: Typically upright; less biomass in higher trophic levels.

    • Pyramid of Numbers: Can be upright or inverted based on population sizes.

Biodiversity Conservation

  • Invasive Species: Non-native species that outcompete native ones in new environments.

  • Native Species: Species naturally occurring in an environment.

  • Benefits of Conserving Biodiversity: Provides potential medicines, resources, ecological services, and cultural value.

Conservation Strategies

  • Legislation and Protocols:

    • Sustainable harvesting regulations- Harvesting that provides a constant supply of wood resources

    • CITES for endangered species protection- Bans selling, hunting, or capturing of threatened or endangered species

    • IWC for whaling management- Manages whaling (ship strikes, ocean noise)

    • EUCFP for fish quotas- Quotas for what state can capture what type of fish

    • ITTO for tropical forest management- Conservation of of tropical rainforests

    • IUCN Red List for conservation status- Provides info about range, population, habitat, ecology, threats, and conservation actions

    • EDGE for protecting unique species- Identifies and prioritizes species that are evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered, focusing conservation efforts on those most at risk of extinction.

    • Captive breeding for species preservation- Breeding outside of their natural habitat (zoos, gardens)

Habitat Management

  • Nature Reserves: Protected areas for wildlife established by governments or private entities.

  • Biosphere Reserves: Large areas combining biodiversity protection with human activities.

    • Biosphere Reserves Zonation:

    • Core Zone: Full protection, no human activity.

    • Buffer Zone: Limited human activity allowed.

    • Transition Zone: More human activities, like sustainable farming.

  • National Parks: Strict rules for protection against human activities.

Biodiversity Loss Factors (HIPPCO)

  • Habitat loss/degradation/fragmentation.

  • Invasive species.

  • Population growth.

  • Pollution.

  • Climate Change.

  • Overconsumption/Overexploitation.

Human Impact on Ecosystems

  • Amazon: Deforestation from cattle ranching, agriculture, logging, and mining, hydroelectric projects, climate change

  • Deforestation in Indonesia: Caused by government policies, logging, and economic needs leading to conflicts with indigenous peoples and increased erosion.

  • Antarctica Impact: Climate change, pollution from tourism, ozone depletion, and overfishing threaten biodiversity.

Management Strategies for Antarctica

  • Antarctic Treaty: Prohibits military exploitation, regulates fishing, and includes waste management strategies to protect the environment and biodiversity.