Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
-Wolves were killed & livestock replaced them - keystone predator: controlled bison, elk, & deer populations -hunters, ranchers & miners protested reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone - both positive & negative effects from wolves in the park
Current extinction rate is 100 10,000 times greater than before humans
Biodiversity
Increase Factors
Middle stages of succession Moderate environmental disturbance
Decrease Factors
Extreme environmental conditions Large environmental disturbance Intense environmental stress Severe shortages of key resources Nonnative species introduction Geographic isolation
Destroyed in USA: 95% forests 98% tallgrass prairie 99% CA grassland 85% redwoods
Importance of Biodiversity
They are important because they exist (regardless of use to humans) Use values Nonuse values:
Existence value knowing it exists Aesthetic its pretty Bequest protect for the future
Instrumental Value
Arctic Circle 60 30N NORTH AMERICA Atlantic Ocean SOUTH AMERICA 30W EUROPE ASIA
AFRICA 0
Antarctic Circle
Stable or intact
Goal
Protect species from premature extinction
Goal
Protect populations of species in their natural habitats
Strategies
Identify endangered species Protect their critical habitats
Strategy
Preserve sufficient areas of habitats in different biomes and aquatic systems
Tactics
Legally protect endangered species Manage habitat Propagate endangered species in captivity Reintroduce species into suitable habitats
Tactics
Protect habitat areas through private purchase or government action Eliminate or reduce populations of alien species from protected areas Manage protected areas to sustain native species Restore degraded ecosystems
Conservation biology
Something is right when it tends to maintain the earths life support systems for us & other species.
Public Lands
US government manages 35% of the land in the USA (it belongs to the people)
Public Lands
(US Forest Service) Allows logging, mining, grazing, hunting, fishing Conservation of soil, watershed & wildlife
Public Lands
(USFWS) Protect habitats & breeding areas to regulate hunted species Open to many activities
(National Park Service) Parks out west, battlefields, memorials, historic sights & more Only camping, hiking, fishing & boating in the parks
Public Lands
660 areas Most protected lands (no roads) Inside of other types of public lands
National forests
National forests
Public Lands
Forest Management
Old-growth, second-growth & tree plantations Which type of management is typical in tree farms?
Clear cut 30
25 Years of growth
Seedlings planted 15 10 5
Forest Management
Erosion, soil loss, habitat fragmentation, exposure to nonnative pests, access for people, no longer qualify as wilderness in USA
Forest Management
Diversity, regeneration, erosion resistant, multiple use Affects surrounding trees, less canopy=warmer To, drier, more erosion
Shelterwood cutting Removes mature trees in stages Seed-tree cutting Few trees are left = regeneration Clear-cutting All trees removed Strip cutting Regenerates from nearby trees, multiple use
Highway
Building a road
Selective Cutting
Shelterwood Cutting
Seed-Tree Cutting
Clear-Cutting
Uncut
Cut
Cut
Uncut
Strip Cutting
Higher timber yields Maximum economic return in shortest time Can reforest with genetically improved fast-growing trees Short time to establish new stand of trees Needs less skill and planning Best way to harvest tree plantations Good for tree species needing full or moderate sunlight for growth
Reduces biodiversity Disrupts ecosystem processes Destroys and fragments some wildlife habitats Leaves moderate to large openings Increases soil erosion Increases sediment water pollution and flooding when done on steep slopes Eliminates most recreational value for several decades
Deforestation
Many of these forests are at risk for logging, what protects forests the most?
Inaccessibility
What is the economic value of income from the earths ecological services?
Decreased soil fertility from erosion Runoff of eroded soil into aquatic systems Premature extinction of species with specialized niches Loss of habitat for migratory species such as birds and butterflies Regional climate change from extensive clearing Releases CO2 into atmosphere from burning and tree decay Accelerates flooding
Include economic value of forests Balance rate of forest renewal with destruction Identify hot spots Evaluate timber grown sustainably
Disadvantages
Provides only 4% of timber needs Ample private forest land to meet timber needs Has little effect on timber and paper prices Damages nearby rivers and fisheries Recreation in national forests provides more local jobs and income for local communities than logging Decreases recreational opportunities
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea, Europe Digitalis for heart failure
Pacific yew
Taxus brevifolia, Pacific Northwest Ovarian cancer
Cinchona
Cinchona ledogeriana, South America Quinine for malaria treatment
Neem tree
Azadirachta indica, India Treatment of many diseases, insecticide, Spermicide Matures in 5-7 years Grows in poor soil in semi-arid climates Provides fuelwood, lumber & lamp oil What are other sources for making paper besides trees?
Solutions
Restoration
Reforestation
Bajo Tempisqu e Cordillera Volcanica Central Pacifico Central Pacific Ocean Peninsula Osa Panama
Costa Ricas Megareserves -protect 80% of biodiversity 500,000 species $1 billion/year in tourism Fear of developers due to increased tourism
Protecting Land
Nature Conservancy
Uses donations to buy key lands Gives tax benefits for placing use restrictions on land Gives tax deductions for land donations
Smaller, connected reserves are sometimes better than large reserves Bioreserves
MAB Man and the Biosphere Program (UNESCO) Protected core 2 less-protected buffer zones
Biosphere Reserve
Core area
Human settlements
Research station
USA
4.8% of land in USA is protected Only 1.8% is in lower 48 Only 4 of 413 wilderness areas are more than 4,000 km2 (recommended size by US Wilderness Society) 400,000 km2 of national forests waiting for wilderness protection
Restoration
Remediation
Plant trees and take care of them. Recycle paper and buy recycled paper products. Buy wood and wood products made from trees that have been grown sustainably. Help rehabilitate or restore a degraded area of forest or grassland near your home. When building a home, save all the trees and as much natural vegetation and soil as possible. Landscape your yard with a diversity of plants natural to the area instead of having a monoculture lawn.