Chapter 10

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Sustaining Terrestrial Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Biodiversity: The

Ecosystem ApproachEcosystem Approach

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: Reintroducing Wolves to Reintroducing Wolves to

YellowstoneYellowstone Keystone SpeciesKeystone Species

Keeps prey away from Keeps prey away from open areas near stream open areas near stream banks (banks (riparian zonesriparian zones))

Vegetation reestablishes.Vegetation reestablishes. Species diversity Species diversity

expands.expands.

Figure 10-1Figure 10-1

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: Reintroducing Wolves to Reintroducing Wolves to

YellowstoneYellowstone Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

1850-1900 two million 1850-1900 two million wolves were destroyed.wolves were destroyed.

Prey populations soaredPrey populations soared Willow and Aspen stands Willow and Aspen stands

decimated leading to decimated leading to erosionerosion

Re-introduced in the early Re-introduced in the early 1990’s1990’s

Stability and biodiversity Stability and biodiversity re-establisedre-establised

Figure 10-1Figure 10-1

Video: Wolf PackVideo: Wolf Pack

http://www.yourdiscovery.com/video/natures-perfect-predators-gray-wolf/

HUMAN IMPACTS ON HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITYTERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY

Gray wolves are just Gray wolves are just one of one of manymany species species humans have humans have impactedimpacted

We have depleted We have depleted and degraded some and degraded some of the earth’s of the earth’s biodiversity and biodiversity and these threats are these threats are expected to increase.expected to increase.

Figure 10-2Figure 10-2

HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITYHUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY

Gray wolves are just one of Gray wolves are just one of manymany species humans have species humans have impactedimpacted

We have depleted and We have depleted and degraded some of the earth’s degraded some of the earth’s biodiversity and these biodiversity and these threats are expected to threats are expected to increase.increase.

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/316/5833/1866/F1.expansion

http://www.desdemonadespair.net/2009_03_01_archive.html

HUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITYHUMAN IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL BIODIVERSITY

83% of global land 83% of global land impacted by human impacted by human activities.activities.

Filling wetlandsFilling wetlands Deforestation for crops Deforestation for crops

and urban areasand urban areas

http://www.ultimatechase.com/Chase_Accounts/florida_building_boom.htm

http://www.folkecenter.net/gb/rd/transport/plant_oil/biofuels/

Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?

INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUMENTAL (Use) Value(Use) Value: : Usefulness in terms Usefulness in terms

of economic and of economic and ecological services.ecological services.

Food, jobs, Food, jobs, recreation, tourism, recreation, tourism, medicine, water medicine, water quality, etcquality, etc

Figure 10-3Figure 10-3

Why Should We Care About Why Should We Care About Biodiversity?Biodiversity?

INTRINSIC INTRINSIC (Nonuse) Value(Nonuse) Value: : EthicalEthical Based on Based on

existence, existence, aesthetics, bequest aesthetics, bequest for future for future generations.generations.

Figure 10-3Figure 10-3

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING MANAGING AND SUSTAINING FORESTSFORESTS

Forests provide a Forests provide a number of ecological number of ecological and economic and economic services that services that researchers have researchers have attempted to attempted to estimate their total estimate their total monetary value.monetary value.

Figure 10-4Figure 10-4

Types of ForestsTypes of Forests

Old-growth forestOld-growth forest: : uncut or regenerated uncut or regenerated forest that has not been forest that has not been seriously disturbed for seriously disturbed for several hundred years.several hundred years. 22% of world’s forest.22% of world’s forest. Hosts many species with Hosts many species with

specialized niches.specialized niches.

Figure 10-5Figure 10-5

Types of ForestsTypes of Forests

Second-growth forestSecond-growth forest: a stand of trees : a stand of trees resulting from natural secondary succession.resulting from natural secondary succession.

Tree plantation (tree farm)Tree plantation (tree farm): planted : planted stands of a particular tree species stands of a particular tree species (monoculture), clear-cut, replanted.(monoculture), clear-cut, replanted.

Figure 10-6Figure 10-6

Global Outlook: Global Outlook: Extent of DeforestationExtent of Deforestation

Human activities Human activities have reduced the have reduced the earth’s forest cover earth’s forest cover by as much as half.by as much as half. Short-term economic Short-term economic

benefit for the fewbenefit for the few Long-term degradation Long-term degradation

for the manyfor the many Losses are Losses are

concentrated in concentrated in developing countries.developing countries.

Figure 10-7Figure 10-7

Global Outlook: Extent of DeforestationGlobal Outlook: Extent of Deforestation

Primary Causes of Primary Causes of tropical tropical deforestationdeforestation Population growth & Population growth &

povertypoverty Subsidies Subsidies Poor are given title to Poor are given title to

cleared landcleared land International lending International lending

agencies encourage agencies encourage developmentdevelopment

Figure 10-7Figure 10-7

Animation: Hubbard Brook Animation: Hubbard Brook ExperimentExperiment

Animations/hubbard_brook.html

Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood CrisisCrisis Almost half the people in the developing Almost half the people in the developing

world face a shortage of fuelwood and world face a shortage of fuelwood and charcoal.charcoal. In Haiti, 98% of country is deforested.In Haiti, 98% of country is deforested.

• MIT scientist has found a way to make charcoal MIT scientist has found a way to make charcoal from spent sugarcane.from spent sugarcane.

Can change regional climate & forests will Can change regional climate & forests will NOT regenerateNOT regenerate

Emits COEmits CO22 – takes ~200yrs to re-accumulate – takes ~200yrs to re-accumulate in a 2nd growth forestin a 2nd growth forest

Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood CrisisCrisis

Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood Case Study: Deforestation and the Fuelwood CrisisCrisis

Reducing the crisis:Reducing the crisis: Community forests work best when owned Community forests work best when owned

and managed by localsand managed by locals• Can be used as protein-source (nuts)Can be used as protein-source (nuts)

Provide for better efficiency stoves or solar Provide for better efficiency stoves or solar ovensovens• Also reduces health issues and death related to Also reduces health issues and death related to

air qualityair quality Government re-forestation programs based Government re-forestation programs based

on villages cooperativeson villages cooperatives

Harvesting TreesHarvesting Trees

FIRST STEP: Logging roadsFIRST STEP: Logging roads fragmentationfragmentation, erosion, sedimentation and , erosion, sedimentation and

loss of biodiversity.loss of biodiversity. Opens invasion by nonnatives, pests, off-road Opens invasion by nonnatives, pests, off-road

vehicles, farmers, miners, hunters, ranchers, vehicles, farmers, miners, hunters, ranchers, etcetc

Automatically disqualify land for wilderness Automatically disqualify land for wilderness protectionprotection Figure 10-8Figure 10-8

Harvesting TreesHarvesting Trees

Trees can be harvested Trees can be harvested individually from individually from diverse forests diverse forests (selective cutting), an (selective cutting), an entire forest can be cut entire forest can be cut down (clear cutting), or down (clear cutting), or portions of the forest is portions of the forest is harvested (e.g. strip harvested (e.g. strip cutting).cutting).

Figure 10-9Figure 10-9

Fig. 10-9a, p. 198

(a) Selective cutting

Uneven aged forests

Intermediate-aged or mature trees cut singly or in small groups

Reduces crowding, diseases, encourages growth & maintains diversity & multiple use

CREAMING – all largest trees removed Degrades

environment

Fig. 10-9b, p. 198

(b) Clear-cutting

(b) Clear cutting(b) Clear cutting

Effects of clear-cutting in the Effects of clear-cutting in the state of Washington, U.S.state of Washington, U.S.

Figures 10-10 and 10-11Figures 10-10 and 10-11

Fig. 10-9c, p. 198

Uncut(c) Strip cutting

Stream

Uncut

Cut 3–10years ago

Dirt road

Cut 1year ago

Other MethodsOther Methods

Shelterwood cuttingShelterwood cutting Removes someRemoves some Used to regenerate Used to regenerate

moderately shade-moderately shade-tolerant species like tolerant species like OakOak

Seed-tree cuttingSeed-tree cutting Removes most; leaves Removes most; leaves

a few to seed next a few to seed next generationgeneration

Used primarily used for Used primarily used for conifersconifers Figure 10-12Figure 10-12

SolutionsSolutions Use forests Use forests

sustainably by sustainably by emphasizing:emphasizing: Economic value of Economic value of

ecological services.ecological services. Harvesting trees no Harvesting trees no

faster than they are faster than they are replenished.replenished.

Protecting old-growth Protecting old-growth and vulnerable areas.and vulnerable areas.

Buy only certified Buy only certified lumberlumber

Figure 10-12Figure 10-12

CASE STUDY: CASE STUDY: FOREST RESOURCES AND FOREST RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S.MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S.

U.S. forests cover more area than in U.S. forests cover more area than in 1920.1920.

Since the 1960’s, an increasing area of Since the 1960’s, an increasing area of old growth and diverse second-growth old growth and diverse second-growth forests have been clear-cut.forests have been clear-cut. Often replaced with tree farms.Often replaced with tree farms. Decreases biodiversity.Decreases biodiversity. Disrupts ecosystem processes.Disrupts ecosystem processes.

Forestry Management:Forestry Management:Types and Effects of Forest FiresTypes and Effects of Forest Fires

Depending on their intensity, fires can benefit Depending on their intensity, fires can benefit or harm forests.or harm forests. Burn away flammable ground material.Burn away flammable ground material. Release valuable mineral nutrients.Release valuable mineral nutrients. Destroy wildlife, increase erosion (especially in Destroy wildlife, increase erosion (especially in

suppressed areas)suppressed areas) Figure 10-13Figure 10-13

Types of Forest FiresTypes of Forest Fires

Solutions: Solutions: Controversy Over Fire Controversy Over Fire

ManagementManagement To reduce fire damage:To reduce fire damage:

Set controlled surface fires.Set controlled surface fires. Allow fires to burn on public lands if they Allow fires to burn on public lands if they

don’t threaten life and property. don’t threaten life and property. Clear small areas around property subject Clear small areas around property subject

to fire.to fire.

Solutions: Controversy Over Fire Solutions: Controversy Over Fire ManagementManagement

In 2003, U.S. Congress passed the In 2003, U.S. Congress passed the Healthy Healthy Forest Restoration ActForest Restoration Act:: Allows timber companies to cut medium and Allows timber companies to cut medium and

large trees in 71% of the national forests.large trees in 71% of the national forests. In return, must clear away smaller, more fire-In return, must clear away smaller, more fire-

prone trees and underbrush.prone trees and underbrush. Some forest scientists believe this Some forest scientists believe this could could

increase severe firesincrease severe fires by removing fire by removing fire resistant trees and leaving highly flammable resistant trees and leaving highly flammable slash. slash. Fire suppressionFire suppression..• Some trees need fire to germinateSome trees need fire to germinate• Seems like a cover for a ‘give-away’ to business Seems like a cover for a ‘give-away’ to business

interestsinterests

Solutions: Controversy Over Fire Solutions: Controversy Over Fire ManagementManagement ECOLOGICAL STRATEGIESECOLOGICAL STRATEGIES

Prescribed burnsPrescribed burns Use grazers (like goats) to eat away Use grazers (like goats) to eat away

flammable underbrushflammable underbrush Allow public lands fires to burnAllow public lands fires to burn Thin forest edges (200 feet) in fire-prone Thin forest edges (200 feet) in fire-prone

areas & eliminate flammable building areas & eliminate flammable building materialsmaterials

Controversy over Logging in U.S. National Controversy over Logging in U.S. National ForestsForests

Ongoing debate over Ongoing debate over whether U.S. national whether U.S. national forests should be forests should be primarily for:primarily for: Timber.Timber. Ecological services.Ecological services. Recreation.Recreation. Mix of these uses.Mix of these uses. Current timber-cutting Current timber-cutting

is not profitable and is is not profitable and is highly subsidizedhighly subsidized

Figure 10-14Figure 10-14

Solutions: Reducing Demand for Harvest Solutions: Reducing Demand for Harvest TreesTrees

60% of wood 60% of wood consumed in US is consumed in US is wastedwasted Inefficient Inefficient

constructionconstruction Excess packagingExcess packaging Junk mailJunk mail Inadequate Inadequate

recyclingrecycling Lack of re-useLack of re-use

Figure 10-15Figure 10-15

Solutions: Reducing Demand for Harvest Solutions: Reducing Demand for Harvest TreesTrees

Tree harvesting can Tree harvesting can be reduced by be reduced by wasting less wood wasting less wood and making paper and making paper and charcoal fuel and charcoal fuel from fibers that do from fibers that do not come from trees.not come from trees. China uses rice strawChina uses rice straw Kenaf is a promising Kenaf is a promising

plant for paper plant for paper production.production.

Figure 10-15Figure 10-15

American Forests in a Globalized American Forests in a Globalized EconomyEconomy

INTENSIVE TREE PLANTATIONS (temperate INTENSIVE TREE PLANTATIONS (temperate and tropical)and tropical)

Decreases need for timber production in Decreases need for timber production in U.S.U.S. Preserves biodiversity in the U.S. by decreasing Preserves biodiversity in the U.S. by decreasing

pressure to clear-cut.pressure to clear-cut. May lead to private land owners to sell less May lead to private land owners to sell less

profitable land to developers. profitable land to developers. • Can compromise biodiversity and watershed Can compromise biodiversity and watershed

protection.protection.• Results in less money for forest management and Results in less money for forest management and

restorationrestoration Forest management policy will play a key role.Forest management policy will play a key role.

CASE STUDY: TROPICAL CASE STUDY: TROPICAL DEFORESTATIONDEFORESTATION

Large areas of ecologically and economically Large areas of ecologically and economically important tropical forests are being cleared important tropical forests are being cleared and degraded at a fast rate.and degraded at a fast rate.

Figure 10-16Figure 10-16

CASE STUDY: TROPICAL DEFORESTATIONCASE STUDY: TROPICAL DEFORESTATION

At least half of the At least half of the world’s terrestrial world’s terrestrial plant and animal plant and animal species live in species live in tropical rain forests.tropical rain forests.

Large areas of Large areas of tropical forest are tropical forest are burned to make way burned to make way for cattle ranches for cattle ranches and crops.and crops.

Figure 10-17Figure 10-17

Why Should We Care about the Loss Why Should We Care about the Loss of Tropical Forests?of Tropical Forests?

About 2,100 of the 3,000 About 2,100 of the 3,000 plants identified by the plants identified by the National Cancer Institute as National Cancer Institute as sources of cancer-fighting sources of cancer-fighting chemicals come from tropical chemicals come from tropical forests.forests.

Figure 10-18Figure 10-18

Fig. 10-18a, p. 205

Rauvolfia Rauvolfia sepentina, Southeast AsiaTranquilizer, high blood pressure medication

Fig. 10-18b, p. 205

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, EuropeDigitalis for heart failure

Fig. 10-18c, p. 205

Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia, Pacific NorthwestOvarian cancer

Fig. 10-18d, p. 205

CinchonaCinchona ledogeriana, South AmericaQuinine for malaria treatment

Fig. 10-18e, p. 205

Rosy periwinkle Cathranthus roseus, MadagascarHodgkin's disease, lymphocytic leukemia

Fig. 10-18f, p. 205

Neem tree Azadirachta indica, IndiaTreatment of many diseases, insecticide, spermicide

Causes of Tropical Deforestation Causes of Tropical Deforestation and Degradationand Degradation

Tropical Tropical deforestation deforestation results from a results from a number of number of interconnected interconnected primary and primary and secondary secondary causes.causes.

Figure 10-19Figure 10-19

Fig. 10-20, p. 207

Protect most diverse and endangered areas

Educate settlers about sustainable agriculture and forestry

Phase out subsidies that encourage unsustainable forest use

Add subsidies that encourage sustainable forest use

Protect forests with debt-for-nature swaps and conservation easements (or concessions)

Certify sustainably grown timber

Reduce illegal cutting

Reduce poverty

Slow population growth

Restoration

Reforestation

Rehabilitation of degraded areas

Concentrate farming and ranching on already-cleared areas

Solutions

Sustaining Tropical Forests

Prevention

Kenya’s Green Belt Movement:Kenya’s Green Belt Movement:Individuals MatterIndividuals Matter

Wangari Maathai Wangari Maathai founded the Green founded the Green Belt Movement.Belt Movement.

The main goal is to The main goal is to organize poor women organize poor women to plant (for fuelwood) to plant (for fuelwood) and protect millions of and protect millions of trees.trees.

In 2004, awarded In 2004, awarded Nobel peace prize.Nobel peace prize.

Figure 10-10AFigure 10-10A

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING MANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDSGRASSLANDS

ECOLOGICAL SERVICES:ECOLOGICAL SERVICES: Soil formation, erosion control, nutrient Soil formation, erosion control, nutrient

cycling, carbon storage, gene pools, cycling, carbon storage, gene pools, biodiversity, habitatsbiodiversity, habitats

After forests – most widely used and After forests – most widely used and altered by humansaltered by humans

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING MANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDSGRASSLANDS

Almost half of the world’s livestock graze on Almost half of the world’s livestock graze on natural grasslands (rangelands) and natural grasslands (rangelands) and managed grasslands (pastures).managed grasslands (pastures). Renewable if tip is eaten (not base)Renewable if tip is eaten (not base) Moderate grazing is beneficial – stimulates Moderate grazing is beneficial – stimulates

growth, encourages diversitygrowth, encourages diversity We can sustain rangeland productivity by We can sustain rangeland productivity by

controlling the number and distribution of controlling the number and distribution of livestock and by restoring degraded livestock and by restoring degraded rangeland.rangeland.

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDSMANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDS OvergrazingOvergrazing (left) (left)

occurs when too many occurs when too many animals graze for too animals graze for too long and exceed long and exceed carrying capacity of a carrying capacity of a grassland area.grassland area. Biggest cause of Biggest cause of

desertification in desertification in AustraliaAustralia

Undergrazing can also Undergrazing can also become a problem become a problem (NPP, invasives, (NPP, invasives, woody plants)woody plants)

Figure 10-21Figure 10-21

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDSMANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDS

Rotational grazingRotational grazing Supplemental feedSupplemental feed Protection of riparian Protection of riparian

zoneszones Example of restored Example of restored

riparian area along the riparian area along the San Pedro River in Arizona San Pedro River in Arizona after 10 years of banning after 10 years of banning grazing and off-road grazing and off-road vehicles.vehicles.

Figure 10-22Figure 10-22

MANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDSMANAGING AND SUSTAINING GRASSLANDS

Management of Management of invasives: invasives: controlled burns, controlled burns, herbicides, herbicides, mechanical mechanical removal, controlled removal, controlled trampling, trampling, reseeding & reseeding & fertilization fertilization (expensive)(expensive)

Figure 10-22Figure 10-22

Case Study: Grazing and Urban Case Study: Grazing and Urban Development in the American Development in the American

WestWest Ranchers, ecologists, and Ranchers, ecologists, and

environmentalists are joining together environmentalists are joining together to preserve the grasslands on cattle to preserve the grasslands on cattle ranches.ranches. Paying ranchers conservation easements Paying ranchers conservation easements

(barring future owners from development).(barring future owners from development). Pressuring government to zone the land to Pressuring government to zone the land to

prevent development of ecologically prevent development of ecologically sensitive areas.sensitive areas.

NATIONAL PARKSNATIONAL PARKS Countries have established more than 1,100 national Countries have established more than 1,100 national

parks, but most are threatened by human activities.parks, but most are threatened by human activities. Local people invade park for wood, cropland, and Local people invade park for wood, cropland, and

other natural resources.other natural resources. Loggers, miners, and wildlife poachers also deplete Loggers, miners, and wildlife poachers also deplete

natural resources.natural resources. Many are too small to sustain large-animal species.Many are too small to sustain large-animal species. Many suffer from invasive species.Many suffer from invasive species.

Case Study: Stresses on U.S. Case Study: Stresses on U.S. National ParksNational Parks

Overused due to Overused due to popularity.popularity.

Inholdings Inholdings (private (private ownership) within ownership) within parks threaten parks threaten natural natural resources.resources.

Air pollution.Air pollution.Figure 10-23Figure 10-23

Suggestions for Suggestions for sustaining and sustaining and expanding the expanding the national park national park system in the system in the U.S.U.S.

Figure 10-24Figure 10-24

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES Wilderness is land legally set aside in a large enough Wilderness is land legally set aside in a large enough

area to prevent or minimize harm from human area to prevent or minimize harm from human activities.activities.

Only a small percentage of the land area of the Only a small percentage of the land area of the United States has been protected as wilderness.United States has been protected as wilderness.

The United States government has direct ownership of almost 650 million acres of land (2.63 million square kilometers) - nearly 30% of its total territory. These federal lands are used as military bases or testing grounds, nature parks and reserves and Indian reservations, or are leased to the private sector for commercial exploitation (e.g. forestry, mining, agriculture). They are managed by different administrations, such as the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the US Department of Defense, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Bureau of Reclamation or the Tennessee Valley Authority.

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES

Ecologists call for protecting more land Ecologists call for protecting more land to help sustain biodiversity.to help sustain biodiversity.

Powerful economic and political Powerful economic and political interests oppose.interests oppose. 12% of earth’s land area is protected.12% of earth’s land area is protected. 5% is strictly protected from harmful 5% is strictly protected from harmful

human activitieshuman activities Conservation biologists call for full Conservation biologists call for full

protection of at least 20% of earth’s land protection of at least 20% of earth’s land area representing multiple examples of all area representing multiple examples of all biomes.biomes.

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES

Large and medium-sized reserves with Large and medium-sized reserves with buffer zonesbuffer zones help protect biodiversity help protect biodiversity and can be and can be connected by corridorsconnected by corridors.. Allow safe migration and movementAllow safe migration and movement Also allow invasives to spreadAlso allow invasives to spread

Costa Rica has Costa Rica has consolidated its consolidated its parks and parks and reserves into 8 reserves into 8 megareserves megareserves designed to designed to sustain 80% if its sustain 80% if its biodiversity.biodiversity.

Figure 10-10BFigure 10-10B

Fig. 10-B, p. 213

Cordillera Volcanica Central

Pacific Ocean

CostaRica

Caribbean SeaNigaragua

Panama

La Amistad

Llanuras deTortuguero

Guanacaste

Arenal

BajoTempisque

Peninsula Osa

Pacifico Central

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES

A model A model biosphere reserve biosphere reserve that contains a that contains a protected inner protected inner core surrounded core surrounded by two buffer by two buffer zones that people zones that people can use for can use for multiple use.multiple use.

Figure 10-25Figure 10-25

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES Prevention & slowing loss of Prevention & slowing loss of

biodiversitybiodiversity concentrating efforts on protecting global concentrating efforts on protecting global

hot spots where significant biodiversity is hot spots where significant biodiversity is under immediate threat.under immediate threat.

sustain local biodiversity while providing sustain local biodiversity while providing local economic income.local economic income.

NATURE RESERVESNATURE RESERVES

Geographic Information System (GIS) Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping can be used to understand mapping can be used to understand and manage ecosystems.and manage ecosystems. Identify areas to establish and connect Identify areas to establish and connect

nature reserves in large ecoregions to nature reserves in large ecoregions to prevent fragmentation.prevent fragmentation.

Developers can use GIS to design housing Developers can use GIS to design housing developments with the least environmental developments with the least environmental impact.impact.

34 hotspots identified by ecologists as important and 34 hotspots identified by ecologists as important and endangered centers of biodiversity.endangered centers of biodiversity.

Figure 10-26Figure 10-26

Animation: Biodiversity Hot SpotsAnimation: Biodiversity Hot Spots

Animations/hotspots.html

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATIONECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

RestorationRestoration: trying to return to a condition : trying to return to a condition as similar as possible to original state.as similar as possible to original state.

RehabilitationRehabilitation: attempting to turn a : attempting to turn a degraded ecosystem back to being degraded ecosystem back to being functional.functional.

ReplacementReplacement: replacing a degraded : replacing a degraded ecosystem with another type of ecosystem.ecosystem with another type of ecosystem.

Creating artificial ecosystemsCreating artificial ecosystems: such as : such as artificial wetlands for flood reduction and artificial wetlands for flood reduction and sewage treatment.sewage treatment.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATIONECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

RewildingRewilding: : Identify remaining wild areasIdentify remaining wild areas Learn about how natural system sustains Learn about how natural system sustains

itselfitself Consider human disruptionsConsider human disruptions Coordinate private, public, government, Coordinate private, public, government,

NGOs, etc to establish and preserve NGOs, etc to establish and preserve existing connectionsexisting connections

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATIONECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

Five basic science-based principles for Five basic science-based principles for ecological restoration:ecological restoration: Identify cause.Identify cause. Stop abuse by eliminating or sharply Stop abuse by eliminating or sharply

reducing factors.reducing factors. Reintroduce species if necessary.Reintroduce species if necessary. Protect area form further degradation.Protect area form further degradation. Use adaptive management to monitor Use adaptive management to monitor

efforts, assess successes, and modify efforts, assess successes, and modify strategies.strategies.

Will Restoration Encourage Will Restoration Encourage Further Destruction?Further Destruction?

There is some concern that ecological There is some concern that ecological restoration could promote further restoration could promote further environmental destruction and environmental destruction and degradation.degradation. Suggesting that any ecological harm can Suggesting that any ecological harm can

be undone.be undone. Preventing ecosystem damage is far Preventing ecosystem damage is far

cheaper than ecological restoration.cheaper than ecological restoration.

WHAT CAN WE DO?WHAT CAN WE DO?

Eight priorities for protecting biodiversity:Eight priorities for protecting biodiversity:

1.1. Take immediate action to preserve world’s biological hot Take immediate action to preserve world’s biological hot spots.spots.

2.2. Keep intact remaining old growth.Keep intact remaining old growth.

3.3. Complete mapping of world’s biodiversity for inventory Complete mapping of world’s biodiversity for inventory and decision making.and decision making.

4.4. Determine world’s marine hot spots.Determine world’s marine hot spots.

5.5. Concentrate on protecting and restoring lake and river Concentrate on protecting and restoring lake and river systems (most threatened ecosystems).systems (most threatened ecosystems).

6.6. Ensure that the full range of the earths ecosystems are Ensure that the full range of the earths ecosystems are included in global conservation strategy.included in global conservation strategy.

7.7. Make conservation profitable.Make conservation profitable.

8.8. Initiate ecological restoration products to heal some of the Initiate ecological restoration products to heal some of the damage done and increase share of earth’s land and water damage done and increase share of earth’s land and water allotted to the rest of nature.allotted to the rest of nature.

Fig. 10-27, p. 219

• Adopt a forest.

• Plant trees and take care of them.

• Recycle paper and buy recycled paper products.

• Buy sustainable wood and wood products.

• Choose wood substitutes such as bamboo furniture and recycled plastic outdoor furniture, decking, and fencing.

• Restore a nearby degraded forest or grassland.

• Landscape your yard with a diversity of plants natural to the area.

• Live in town because suburban sprawl reduces biodiversity.

Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity

What Can You Do?