Definitions. Critique. Not without controversy. Tuesday, March 3. Definition History & Connections Biodiversity & threats Approaches to Solutions

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1 Tuesday, March 3 Conservation Biology Definition History & Connections Biodiversity & threats Approaches to Solutions Definitions pursuit of a coherent goal: the protection and perpetuation of the Earth s biological diversity. A mission-oriented, crisis-driven discipline comprising both pure and applied science Meine et al not defined by a discipline but by its goal to halt or repair the undeniable, massive damage that is being done to ecosystems, species, and the relationships of humans to the environment. Ehrenfeld 1992 Critique effort by an elite group of biologists who [aimed] to change science, conservation, cultural habits, human values, our ideas about nature, and ultimately, nature itself. Takacs 1996 Not without controversy I have read many definitions of what is a conservationist & the best one is written not with a pen, but an axe. -- Aldo Leopold History - 1 Muir (Preservation) vs. Pinchot (Conservation) Wilderness Act (1964) Endangered Species Preservation Act 1966 Environmental Laws: Jan. 1, 1970 (NEPA) Endangered Species Act (1973) From the most narrow possible point of view, it is in the best interest of mankind to minimize the losses of genetic variations. The reason is simple: they are potential resources. Leonor K. Sullivan, Chairman of thehouse Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, July 27, 1973 History

2 History - 3 Science and the funding agencies NSF: Ecosystems (1970) LTER (1980) Urban LTER (1997) Emergence of Conservation Biology, SCB ( 85) Lectures by Gardner, Bauman, Scullion: Ethics Cost-benefit analysis Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Focus Foundation - 1 Population biology: a study of biological populations of organisms, especially in terms of biodiversity, evolution, and environmental biology. Foundations - 2 Island Biogeography: Number of species present = f(rate of immigration & rate of extinction) Endangered Species Act (1973) Northern Spotted Owl Salmon Core Mainland Corridor Island Fragmentation Climate Change Size Connectivity Time Mountains Environment Foundation - 3 The worst thing that can happen during the 1980s is not energy depletion, economic collapse, limited nuclear war, or conquest by a totalitarian government. As terrible as these catastrophes would be for us, they can be repaired within a few generations. The one process ongoing in the 1980s that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly that our descendents are least likely to forgive us. E.O. Wilson

3 Conceptual Background Resilience Theory Hypothesized examples of collapse Example from Jared Diamond s (2006) book: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (e.g., Easter Island) Example: Easter Island Loss of the forest (over utilization) Agricultural Systems In order to maintain simplified biological systems, one must use extensive quantities of energy Water Fuel Fertilizers Pesticides Intensity: Erosion Global Loss of Soil World is losing 1% of its arable land each year Stable geological crust Critical are the rates of erosion Need for low tillage farming Montgomery, D.R PNAS 104:

4 Population Consumption View of nature Solutions Bottom line I = P x A x T Based upon the article you read in the Science Policy section of Science, is the following statement For NW Africa, whale feeding is having a huge effect of fish biomass. 1. True 2. False What was observed for NW Africa and the Caribbean regarding the impact of whale feeding on fish biomass can be applied to whales everywhere 1. True 2. False 3. Not enough data to know Solutions Ex-situ (off-site) conservation: Arboreta, zoos, plant collections, seed banks In-situ conservation: Preserves, reserves Choices: Single large or several small. Working farms and forests Restoration The Henslow's Sparrow Photo by Merilee Janusz Upland Sandpiper Photo by Dave Spleha Protecting Grassland Birds in Illinois - Sandar Toth Eastern Meadowlark Photo by Gene Oleynik 4

5 Small Reserves Example Focus on hot spots Large Reserves Uncertainty Anticipate climate change Provides latitudinal and elevational opportunities for migration Three examples Y to Y Panda reserves in the eastern Himalayas Australia Umbrella/ Keystone species Food chain and trophic pyramid Concept Cute Pictures Pluie, the Wandering Wolf Penelope Pierce, US Regional Director 5

6 Epic Journey The Y to Y A corridor of connected protected areas Effort: Identification of Prime habitat Areas at risk Detail: Road Ecology More Alternative (s) Restoration Working environments (agriculture, grazing and forestry) (example: Cascade Land Conservancy). Montana State University University California - Davis 6