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Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology . Chapter 55 LAST CHAPTER!!!!!. Conservation Biology. conserve biological diversity at all levels. Restoration Ecology. return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their natural, pre-degraded state.

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Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology

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  1. Conservation Biology and Restoration Ecology Chapter 55 LAST CHAPTER!!!!!

  2. Conservation Biology • conserve biological diversity at all levels

  3. Restoration Ecology • return degraded ecosystems to conditions as similar as possible to their natural, pre-degraded state

  4. Extinction is a natural phenomenon • has been occurring almost since life first evolved • current rate of extinction underlies the biodiversity crisis • rate of species extinction is high largely as a result of escalating rate of ecosystem degradation by human beings

  5. Three Levels of Biodiversity • genetic diversity • species diversity • ecosystem diversity

  6. Genetics • individual genetic variation within a population • genetic variation between populations • one population becomes extinct, then a species may have lost some of the genetic diversity that makes microevolution possible

  7. Species Diversity • Endangered species - “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) • Threatened species - considered likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future • at current rates of extinction, more than half of all currently living plant and animal species will have disappeared by the end of the 21st century

  8. Ecosystem Diversity • local extinction of one species can have a negative impact on the overall species richness of the community • Keystone predator • Foundation species • Loss of species means the loss of genes

  9. Ecosystem Services • Purification of air and water • Reduction of the severity of droughts and floods • Generation and preservation of fertile soils • Detoxification and decomposition of wastes • Pollination of crops and natural vegetation • Dispersal of seeds • Cycling of nutrients • Control of many agricultural pests by natural enemies • Protection of shorelines from erosion • Protection from ultraviolet rays • Moderation of weather extremes • Provision of beauty and recreational opportunities

  10. Major Threats to Biodiversity • Habitat Destruction • Introduced Species • Overexploitation • Disruption of Interaction Networks

  11. Conflicting Agendas • Weighing saving/protecting declining, threatened, or endangered species against conflicting demands or consequences

  12. Landscape and Regional Conservation • Land-use planning as part of biodiversity conservation • Interior versus edges • Fragmentation • Corridors • Establishing protected areas

  13. Restoration • Bioremediation • Augmentation • New field – restoration ecologists learn as they go

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