CONSERVATION Bri Bowerman and Emma Johnson. INTRO TO CONSERVATION What is conservation? preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment,

CONSERVATION

Bri Bowerman and Emma Johnson

INTRO TO CONSERVATION What is conservation?

preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife.

Who is involved in conservation? Why are species declining?

Climate change Pollution Urbanization Human exploitation Disease Invasive species

CLIMATE CHANGEGlobal Impacts Effects on Species Increase in global

average temperatures Melting of ice caps /

rising sea levels Shifting habitat ranges Increased frequency and

strength of natural disasters

Increase or decrease of species ranges Migration patterns Adaptability Predator / prey relationships

Loss of habitat completely

Shifting breeding patterns

POLLUTION Water pollution

Pesticides Dump sites - nuclear Household chemicals Indicator species

Air pollution Fossil fuels Acid rain

Trash Physical debris impacts

URBANIZATION

Changes Effect on Species Development (roads,

buildings) Fewer trees Pollution Erosion Less habitat diversity Humans

Less suitable habitat and breeding grounds

Increased flashiness Habitat fragmentation

and isolation

HUMAN EXPLOITATION

Pet trade Consumption Medicine Animal stereotypes

DISEASE

Propagated by pet trade and invasive species Chytrid Mammal disease Communicable between animals and humans

INVASIVE SPECIES

Brought from place to place by humans Characteristics of a successful invasive species

Adaptable to many environment Competitive Few natural predators

Kudzu in the US Burmese pythons in Florida Cane toads in Australia

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Amphibians and reptiles are declining because of all of these factors, including enigmatic declines

43% of amphibian species are endangered 1 in 5 reptile species are endangered Hard to tell severity of impact-animals are secretive,

don’t notice declines until the animals are almost gone

WHY IS CONSERVATION IMPORTANT? Protecting biodiversity Preserving balance of nature Sustainable use Every species has the right to live We have a duty to protect other species

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Don’t keep the animals you find in the wild as pets Don’t release exotic animals into a non-native habitat Try to recycle, use less electricity, and other practices to

decrease amount of pollution

QUESTIONS?