MANAGING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS 38.8 Sustaining ecosystems and landscapes is a conservation priority Conservation efforts- In the past: were concentrated.

MANAGING AND RESTORING ECOSYSTEMS

38.8 Sustaining ecosystems and landscapes is a conservation priorityConservation efforts-

In the past: were concentrated on saving single species Currently: are increasingly aimed at sustaining

ecosystems and landscapes

Landscape- is a regional assemblage of interacting ecosystems, such as a forest, adjacent fields, wetlands, streams and streamside habitats

Landscape ecology- is the application of ecological principles to study the structure and dynamics of a collection of ecosystems

One goal is to study human land-use patterns to make biodiversity conservation a priority

Edges between ecosystems are prominent features of landscapes Have distinct sets of features and species Human activities create and increase the amount of edge habitats

The increased frequency and abruptness of edges

Good for some species But creates a more homogenous ecosystem with fragmented

patches Leads to decreased biodiversity

Edges are dominated by a few particular species Edges throughout an ecosystem lead to high

instances of fragmentation

Movement Corridors- a narrow strip or series of high quality habitats that connect otherwise isolated patches and may be helpful to fragmented populations

In a patch, biodiversity decreases due to inbreeding and range restriction

Movement CorridorsReduce road killIncrease dispersalIncrease gene flowMaintain migratory routes

38.9 Protected areas are established to slow the loss of biodiversity Biodiversity hot spots

Have large concentrations of EndangeredThreatenedEndemic species- those found nowhere else

Provide an opportunity to protect many species in very limited areas

Prediction: half of the terrestrial biodiversity in hotspots will be lost due to habitat destruction in the next 10-15 years

HOTTEST SPOTS: 1.5% OF THE PLANET HOUSES 1/3 OF ALL PLANTS AND VERTEBRATES

Equator

Migratory species, both terrestrial and aquatic Loggerhead turtle example May require international protection

High concentrations of species provide opportunity to protect many species in a limited areas

But ONLY concentrating on hotspots is not the answer to a GLOBAL PROBLEM

7% of world’s land is protected in some form of reserve

Large reserves? Groups of small ones?

Population viability analyses are showing most are far too small

38.10 The Yellowstone to Yukon Conversation Initiative

Is an international research and conservation effort that seeks to connect reserves and protect species and ecosystems If most reserves are too small how can conservationists draw the land around them into conservation efforts?

Lessons from Pluie (38,600 sq. miles)

If safe passage for wolves can be achieved other species will benefit

Yellowstone to YukonEcoregion

ALBERTA

NORTHWEST TERRITORIESYUKONTERRITORY

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

WASHINGTON

OREGON IDAHO WYOMING

MONTANA

YELLOWSTONE TO YUKONCONSERVATION INITIATIVE

LEGEND

Major HighwaysProtected areasY2Y Ecoregion

70 0 140 280 km

Grizzly bears, lynx, moose and elk all need larger ranges thancurrent reserves can satisfy

38.11 The study of how to restore degraded habitats is a developing science

Some areas become are so degraded and altered, they are abandoned by wildlife

Mining, oil spills, chemical dumping Restoration ecology- uses ecological principles to

develop ways to return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their natural, pre-degraded state

Bioremediation to detoxify polluted areas Uses prokaryotes, fungi, lichens or plants Ex) Pseudomonas in oil spills

Biological augmentation to restore nutrients Increase nutrients in land used for agriculture And along roadsides

38.12 The Kissimmee River project is a case study in restoration ecology

Large-scale restoration projects attempt to restore damaged landscapesThe Kissimmee River once flowed through diverse

wetlands from Lake Kissimmee to Lake Okeechobee

Flooding created wetlands and deposited silt

Flood control started in 1940 Drained 31,000 acres of flood plainWaterfowl declined by 92%Bald Eagle territories decreased by 70%

The Kissimmee River Restoration Project Is restoring river flow and wetlands, and improving

water quality and wildlife habitat Cost $578 million 320 fish and wildlife species will benefit is returning,

increased water quality Wildlife tourism increases state's income

Formercanal

38.13 Zoned reserves are an attempt to reverse ecosystem disruption

Zoned reserves- extensive areas of undisturbed wild lands surrounded by buffer zones of compatible economic development

Contribute to sustainable development- long tern prosperity of the human societies and the ecosystems that support them

Primary Goal- develop a social and economic climate in the buffer zones that is compatible with the long-term viability of the protected area

Caribbean SeaNicaragua

CostaRica

National parklandBuffer zone

Pacific Ocean

Costa RicaHas established many zoned reservesReduced national debtProvides stable economic base for people in buffer

zonesDiscourages destructive practices in zonesPartners with government, NGOs and private citizens

38.14 Sustainable development is an ultimate goal

Seeks to improve the human condition while conserving biodiversity

Depends on increasing and applying ecological knowledge as well as valuing our linkages to the biosphere

oBrown pelicanoShow a solid understanding of how biology can help preserve creatures and protect lifeoWe are most likely to save what we appreciateoSustainability is the GOAL