Conservation Biology Lecture Summary
What is Conservation Biology?
A discipline focused on the effects of environmental changes on biological diversity.
Utilizes evidence-based approaches to anticipate, prevent, minimize, and repair ecological damage.
Multiple Disciplines in Conservation Biology
Scientific Fields:
Ecology
Animal behavior
Biogeography
Systematics
Genetics
Evolution
Epidemiology
Forestry
Fisheries
Wildlife biology
Social Sciences:
Economics
Policy development
Ethnobiology
Environmental ethics
Traditional Knowledge:
Oral histories
Cultural stories
Direct experiences
Biodiversity Loss
Species Quantity:
Approximately 2 million species are formally described.
Estimated true number of species: between 10-50 million.
Historical Extinction Rates:
Background extinction rate: 2-5 marine families every million years.
Estimated extinction of ~1 species per year for every 1 million to 10 million species present since the Cambrian.
Recent Extinctions
Notable species extinctions since 1600 (observed vs. expected):
Birds:
Expected: 4, Observed: 150 (12% extinction rate)
Mammals:
Expected: 2, Observed: 121 (26% extinction rate)
Fishes:
Expected: 12, Observed: 80 (39% extinction rate)
Molluscs:
Expected: 32, Observed: 295 (44% extinction rate)
Marine animals are more difficult to monitor, which is why they have a higher extinction rate.
Major Causes of Biodiversity Loss
Human Population Increase:
Increasing population size and greater consumption of finite resources.
Habitat Destruction:
Activities such as agriculture, forestry, mining, and urban sprawl leading to degradation, fragmentation, and loss of habitat.
Dense populations correlate with reduced habitat:
294 people/km²: 59% habitat remaining
379 people/km²: 45% habitat remaining
454 people/km²: 33% habitat remaining
1,190-1,888 people/km²: 15% habitat remaining
Overexploitation:
Extracting species at rates too high for populations to recover (e.g., unsustainable fishing, hunting).
Introduced Species:
Species that are unintentionally or deliberately introduced to new locations where they outcompete, prey on or parasitize native species.
an example is Holly, which grows on the Burnaby Mountain and outcompetes plants around them. They spread quickly via birds who swallow their seeds.
Other examples include English ivy, which grows on the trunk of trees and blocks sunlight for bryophytes and licorice ferns.
Pollution:
Various forms (light, noise, and chemical) adversely affecting ecosystems through urban development and industry.
Climate Change:
Altering species' phenology and leading to range shifts in several species.
Importance of Biodiversity
Ecosystem Services:
Supporting (e.g., nutrient cycling, soil formation), provisioning (e.g., clean water, food), regulating (e.g., flood control, carbon storage), and cultural services (e.g., recreational, aesthetic).
Economic valuation:
Global economic benefit of biodiversity estimated as $3 trillion/year (11% of total world economy).
Loss of species has far-reaching implications beyond ecological aspects (e.g., agricultural impacts of earthworms worth $5 billion/year in soil services).
Conservation Initiatives
Use of concepts from Island Biogeography to inform the establishment of protected areas, advocating for large reserves and connecting corridors to improve habitat connectivity.
The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) and its governing body, COSEWIC, focuses on assessing and protecting endangered species in Canada, utilizing scientific evidence and traditional knowledge dynamics.
Context of Biodiversity in Canada and British Columbia
British Columbia holds high species richness in vascular plants (~2,500 species) and has unique endemic species like the Vancouver Island Marmot.
The province is experiencing significant threats to its biodiversity from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change effects.
Call to Action
Awareness and proactive measures are necessary to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services that provide intrinsic and economic value to humanity.
Conservation Biology is a scientific discipline that centers on understanding the effects of environmental changes on biological diversity, as well as the methods for preserving this diversity for future generations. It employs evidence-based approaches to anticipate, prevent, minimize, and repair ecological damage caused by various anthropogenic and natural factors. This dynamic field incorporates both theoretical and applied research to inform conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity in sustaining ecological balance and resilience against environmental stressors.
Multiple Disciplines in Conservation Biology
Scientific Fields:
Ecology: Studies interactions between organisms and their environments, essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics.
Animal Behavior: Investigates how animal actions impact survival and reproduction, which can inform management practices.
Biogeography: Explores the distribution of species over space and time, providing insight into species diversity and habitat connectivity.
Systematics: Focuses on classifying organisms and understanding their evolutionary relationships, aiding in species identification and conservation prioritization.
Genetics: Examines genetic variations within populations, critical for assessing species viability and resilience.
Evolution: Studies the processes that lead to the diversity of life, helping predict responses of species to environmental change.
Epidemiology: Investigates disease dynamics within populations, relevant for managing wildlife health and preventing outbreaks.
Forestry: Applies sustainable management practices to forest resources, crucial for habitat preservation and carbon storage.
Fisheries: Involves managing fish populations through sustainable practices to prevent overfishing and ecosystem imbalance.
Wildlife Biology: Studies the behaviors, demographics, and habitats of wild animals, forming the basis for wildlife conservation efforts.
Social Sciences:
Economics: Analyzes the financial aspects of conservation efforts, facilitating the allocation of resources and funding.
Policy Development: Involves creating regulations and frameworks that guide conservation actions and manage human impacts on ecosystems.
Ethnobiology: Explores the relationships between people and biodiversity, incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies.
Environmental Ethics: Engages with moral principles regarding human interactions with the environment, advocating for sustainable stewardship of nature.
Traditional Knowledge:
Oral Histories: Preserve indigenous knowledge systems that offer insights into historical biodiversity and ecological management.
Cultural Stories: Reflect the importance of biodiversity in cultural identities, fostering community-based conservation initiatives.
Direct Experiences: Leverages local knowledge acquired through generations, enhancing understanding of species and habitats.
Biodiversity Loss
Species Quantity:
Approximately 2 million species have been formally described as of now.
The estimated true number of species on Earth ranges from 10 to 50 million, with many remaining undescribed and vulnerable to extinction.
Historical Extinction Rates:
Historical background extinction rates indicate the natural rate at which species become extinct, approximated at 2-5 marine families every million years.
Since the Cambrian period, it is estimated that the extinction of around 1 species occurs per year for every 1 million to 10 million species present, reflecting significant biodiversity loss in contemporary times.
Recent Extinctions
Notable species extinctions observed since 1600 (observed vs. expected):
Birds:
Expected: 4; Observed: 150, leading to a 12% extinction rate, indicative of habitat loss and climate influences.
Mammals:
Expected: 2; Observed: 121, with a 26% extinction rate, highlighting vulnerability of terrestrial species.
Fishes:
Expected: 12; Observed: 80, resulting in a staggering 39% extinction rate, mainly due to overfishing and habitat degradation.
Molluscs:
Expected: 32; Observed: 295, showing a 44% extinction rate, attributed to pollution and invasive species.
Major Causes of Biodiversity Loss
Human Population Increase:
The rapid increase in global population size leads to a heightened demand for finite resources, placing unprecedented pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Habitat Destruction:
Human activities such as agriculture, forestry, mining, and urban sprawl contribute significantly to habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss.
A correlation exists between population density and remaining habitat, with studies indicating that,
At 294 people/km², 59% of habitat remains
At 379 people/km², 45% of habitat remains
At 454 people/km², 33% of habitat remains
At 1,190-1,888 people/km², only 15% of habitat remains, suggesting critical thresholds beyond which biodiversity may collapse.
Overexploitation:
Unsustainable extraction practices, such as fishing and hunting at rates too high for populations to recover, exacerbate declines in biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
Introduced Species:
Species introduced, intentionally or unintentionally, to new locations can become invasive, outcompeting, preying on or parasitizing native species, leading to significant declines in local biodiversity.
Pollution:
Different forms of pollution—light, noise, and chemicals—adversely affect ecosystems and the health of populations through urban development and industrial activities, severely impacting wildlife habitats and behaviors.
Climate Change:
Alterations in climate patterns disrupt species' phenology, leading to shifts in species ranges, availability of resources, and overall biodiversity responses.
Importance of Biodiversity
Ecosystem Services:
Diverse ecosystems provide vital services: supporting services (e.g., nutrient cycling, soil formation), provisioning services (e.g., clean water, food provision), regulating services (e.g., flood control, carbon storage), and cultural services (e.g., recreational, aesthetic value).
Economic Valuation:
The global economic benefit of biodiversity is estimated to provide around $3 trillion per year, constituting approximately 11% of the total world economy.
Loss of species has far-reaching implications
The impacts of biodiversity loss extend beyond ecological metrics—agricultural effects, such as the vital role of earthworms estimated to be worth $5 billion annually for soil services, underscore the importance of maintaining species richness for economic stability.
Conservation Initiatives
The application of concepts from Island Biogeography informs the establishment of protected areas, emphasizing the need for large reserves and connecting corridors for habitat connectivity to ensure the survival of various species.
The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) manages endangered species through assessment and protection plans, aligning scientific evidence with traditional knowledge to reinforce conservation efforts across the country.
Context of Biodiversity in Canada and British Columbia
British Columbia is characterized by high species richness, hosting approximately 2,500 species of vascular plants, and is home to unique endemic species, such as the Vancouver Island Marmot.
The province faces significant biodiversity threats from habitat loss, rising pollution levels, and the adverse effects of climate change, necessitating immediate and effective conservation actions.
Call to Action
Raising awareness and implementing proactive measures are crucial for the sustainability of biodiversity and the ecosystem services that hold intrinsic and economic value for humanity.