CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
Source: Chapter C Ecology notes, Oxford text.
C4.1 An indicator species is an organism used to assess a specific environmental condition
C4.2 Relative numbers of indicator species can be used to calculate the value of a biotic index
C4.3 In situ conservation may require active management of nature reserves or national parks
C4.4 Ex situ conservation is the preservation of species outside their natural habitats
C4.5 Biogeographic factors affect species diversity.
C4.6 Richness and evenness are components of biodiversity.
Applications
-Case study of the captive breeding and reintroduction of an endangered animal species
-Analysis of the impact of biogeographic factors on diversity limited to island size and edge effect
Skills
-Analysis of the biodiversity of 2 local communities using Simpson's reciprocal index of diversity
Nature of science
-Scientist collaborate with other agencies: the preservation of species involve international cooperation through intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
C4.1 An indicator species is an organism used to assess a specific environmental condition
C4.2 Relative numbers of indicator species can be used to calculate the value of a biotic index
C4.3 In situ conservation may require active management of nature reserves or national parks
C4.4 Ex situ conservation is the preservation of species outside their natural habitats
C4.5 Biogeographic factors affect species diversity.
C4.6 Richness and evenness are components of biodiversity.
Applications
-Case study of the captive breeding and reintroduction of an endangered animal species
-Analysis of the impact of biogeographic factors on diversity limited to island size and edge effect
Skills
-Analysis of the biodiversity of 2 local communities using Simpson's reciprocal index of diversity
Nature of science
-Scientist collaborate with other agencies: the preservation of species involve international cooperation through intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
indicator species.
An indicator species is an organism that occurs only when specific environmental conditions are present. The presence or absence of these species on a site is a good indicator of environmental conditions.EX: fruticose lichens are pollution-intolerant so their presence is an indicator of clean air.
calculation of the biotic index
A biotic index compares the relative frequency of indicator species.
The number of individuals of each indicator species in a sample is determined, each number is multiplied by a pollution tolerance factor and a weighted average is determined. Each of the products is then added to the others and divided by the total number of organisms in the habitat.
The number of individuals of each indicator species in a sample is determined, each number is multiplied by a pollution tolerance factor and a weighted average is determined. Each of the products is then added to the others and divided by the total number of organisms in the habitat.
ex and in situ conservation
In situ conservation measures involve endangered species remaining in the habitat to which they are adapted.
This allows the species to interact with other wild species, conserving more aspects of the organisms niche. Nature reserves are areas that are specially designated for the conservation of the wildlife. Just a nature reserve is not enough, for an active management is requires: Controlled grazing, removal of shrub and trees,removal of alien plant and animal species, reintroducing of species that have become locally extinct, re-wetting of wetlands, limiting predators, controlling poaching, feeding of animals, controlling access.
This allows the species to interact with other wild species, conserving more aspects of the organisms niche. Nature reserves are areas that are specially designated for the conservation of the wildlife. Just a nature reserve is not enough, for an active management is requires: Controlled grazing, removal of shrub and trees,removal of alien plant and animal species, reintroducing of species that have become locally extinct, re-wetting of wetlands, limiting predators, controlling poaching, feeding of animals, controlling access.
Ex situ conservation measures involve the removal of organisms from their natural habitat.
Plant species can grow in botanic gardens, the seed of plants can be stored in seed banks at low temperatures. Capture breeding animals is sometimes used. Ex situ conservation is used to back up in situ conservation measures, or where endangered species cannot safely remain in their natural habitats.
Plant species can grow in botanic gardens, the seed of plants can be stored in seed banks at low temperatures. Capture breeding animals is sometimes used. Ex situ conservation is used to back up in situ conservation measures, or where endangered species cannot safely remain in their natural habitats.
components of biodiversity
Biological diversity has 2 components:
-Richness: number of different species present
-Evenness: How close in number each species is.
-Richness: number of different species present
-Evenness: How close in number each species is.
biogeography can influence diversity
How can we promote biodiversity?
Large reserve sites:
The effectiveness of nature reserves at conserving biodiversity depends on their biogeographical features. Large nature reserves are more effective than small ones at maintaining biodiversity. This consistent with the island biogeographical model if nature reserves are like islands. The larger an island is the greater the biodiversity there is because the larger the area the higher the population of a certain species that can supported and less likely that small populations will be extirpated by random events. It offers more space for breeding and resources.
-Connected nature reserves are more effective than isolated ones:
If there are several smalls reserves near to one another then corridors between them can increase the effectiveness at preserving biodiversity
Corridors: used to connect isolated populations.
Large reserve sites:
The effectiveness of nature reserves at conserving biodiversity depends on their biogeographical features. Large nature reserves are more effective than small ones at maintaining biodiversity. This consistent with the island biogeographical model if nature reserves are like islands. The larger an island is the greater the biodiversity there is because the larger the area the higher the population of a certain species that can supported and less likely that small populations will be extirpated by random events. It offers more space for breeding and resources.
-Connected nature reserves are more effective than isolated ones:
If there are several smalls reserves near to one another then corridors between them can increase the effectiveness at preserving biodiversity
Corridors: used to connect isolated populations.
-Edge effect: Boundaries between habitats or ecosystems.
The ecology of edges of ecosystems is different form the central areas, the shape of nature reserves is important. If the central area can be maximized and the total length of the perimeter can be minimized, then the reserve can preserve more biodiversity.
- At the edge of the forest, there is more sunlight, more wind and less moisture than at the center
->dec population on the edge
- Forest fragmentation
- Exception: Cow birds thrives at the edge where it lays its eggs, inc. Cow bird population
The ecology of edges of ecosystems is different form the central areas, the shape of nature reserves is important. If the central area can be maximized and the total length of the perimeter can be minimized, then the reserve can preserve more biodiversity.
- At the edge of the forest, there is more sunlight, more wind and less moisture than at the center
->dec population on the edge
- Forest fragmentation
- Exception: Cow birds thrives at the edge where it lays its eggs, inc. Cow bird population