Topic 4.3 Conservation of Biodiversity intro

1. Conservation of
Biodiversity (topic 4.3)
Why bother??
J. Voytilla

2. To think about…
Do humans need other species? If so then in
what ways?
Do other species exist for human use?
Do other species have a right to exist?
Does a great ape have more rights than a
mosquito?
Are your reasons based on rational thought
or emotion? Both?
Does your choice of answer affect how valid
your reasons are?

3. Arguments for preserving biodiversity
Direct vs. Indirect: both types are vital for the economy
DIRECT VALUES
1. Food sources:
- biodiversity provides different food sources
- biodiversity provides variation in the gene pools for
species which makes them less vulnerable to disease
and provides greater genetic engineering potential
2. Natural products
- Many medicines, fertilizers, pesticides, fabrics, timber,
rattan, natural perfumes are derived from plants and
animals

4. Arguments for preserving biodiversity
INDIRECT VALUES
1. Ecosystem productivity – stabilizes and
recycles
- Soil aeration depends on worms
- Pollination and fertilization depends on insects
- Carbon is stored in biomass
- Oxygen is produced
- Vegetation protects soil from degradation
- Vegetation regulates climate
- Decomposers recycle waste
- Conservation of biodiversity and habitats makes an environment less likely to
be affected by the spread of disease or some other environmental catastrophe
2. Scientific and educational value
- New species are discovered every day and understanding the ecological role of
each may yield new products or services
- Understanding ecological relationships helps our species learn how to manage
pollution and coexist

5. Arguments for preserving biodiversity
INDIRECT VALUES continued….
3. Biological control agents
- Some organisms help us control invasive species
4. Genes
- Wild plants and animals are sources for genes for genetic
engineering
5. Environmental Monitors
- Indicator species can alert us to environmental
degradation or pollution
6. Recreational
- fun, adventure, and spiritual fulfillment

6. Arguments for preserving biodiversity
INDIRECT VALUES continued….
7. Human health
- medicines
8. Human rights
- If biodiversity is protected then indigenous peoples can continue to live on
their native lands
9. Ethical/Intrinsic value
- Each species has a right to exist – a BIORIGHT unrelated to human needs.
“biodiversity should be preserved for its own sake and humans have a
responsibility to act as stewards of the Earth”.
10. Biorights self-perpetuation
- Biologically diverse ecosystems help to preserve their species which reduces
the need for future conservation efforts

7. GO’s and NGO’s
Conservation relies on individuals, conservation
organizations and governments
Economy & Human Needs versus the Environment
This outdated paradigm is slowly being broken down
e.g. a recent report on climate change (the Stern review
in 2006, UK) proposed that 1% of the GDP per annum
should be invested in climate change mitigation
activities in order to save a drop of 20% in GDP later
Caution!! Watch out for GREENWASH – when
organizations give the impression that they have
changed over to sustainable practices when in fact
they have done nothing.

8. IGO’s and NGO’s: Assignment
In teams, research the following orgs:
(i) IUCN
(ii) WWF
(iii) Greenpeace
(iv) UNEP
(v) 1 other NGO of your choosing
Classify each as an IGO or NGO
State the mission or mandate or objective of each
Who is involved?
Compare and contrast GO’s and NGO’s using real examples in terms of use of the media, speed of
response, diplomatic constraints and political influence, and enforceability.
Compare also org involvement in recent international conventions on biodiversity (for example,
conventions signed at the Rio Earth Summit (1992) and subsequent updates).
Current projects?
Which org would YOU like to work for?

9. International Conventions on
Conservation of Biodiversity
Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species of
Flora and Fauna (CITES)
http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.php
World Conservation Strategy (WCS)
http://www.culturalecology.info/cons_hist/WorldConservationStrategy.1980
.html
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
http://www.cbd.int/

10. Protected Areas
According to the IUCN:
An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of
biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and
managed through legal or other effective means
The IUCN has defined 6 different categories of protected areas
http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_categoriesmpa_eng.pdf
This is cool: http://beta.unep-wcmc.org/
How are protected areas designed??
- Back in the day, protected areas were set up on land that nobody else wanted
- Sometimes it was poor agricultural or degraded land, or land near areas of high human
population density
- Thus in the past, protected areas often lacked an adequate size or were inappropriate to
the needs of the species
- A better method was needed….
In 1970, UNESCO started the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) which created a world
network of international reserves. Currently there are over 500 reserves in over 100
countries.

11. Designing Protected Areas
in situ
Questions that conservationists need to ask:
- How large should the area be to protect the species?
- Are there species that need protection in the middle of a large reserve?
- How many individuals of an endangered species must be protected?
- Is it better to have 1 larger reserve or many smaller reserves?
- What about edge effects?
- What is the best shape?
- If there are several reserves, how close should they be to each other?
- Should multiple reserves be joined by corridors or remain separate?
The area needs to meet the needs of the species therein, be sustainable,
and be holistically managed so that the area is maintained.
Click here for exam answers: http://www.slideshare.net/MichaelSmith62/topic-
43-conservation-of-biodiversity?qid=2acbe638-cb60-44a8-bd59-
00ec01c3533a&v=default&b=&from_search=2

12. The SLOSS debate
Does SIZE matter?
Single large reserve or several small reserves…
LARGE:
- Will contain sufficient numbers of a large wide-ranging species
- Minimize edge effects
- May provide more habitats for more species
SMALL:
- May provide a greater range of habitats
- May sustain more populations of a rare species
- Density independent events have less chance of wiping out a species
- May also be used for educational purposes if located near cities
Size depends on how you use it.

13. Case Studies
1. Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal
2. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, China
3. Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary, Malaysia
4. Yosemite National Park, USA

14. Assignment!
Find a protected area and evaluate it!!
Consider size, shape, buffer zone, community
support, adequate funding and proper research.
Bottom line: has this area been successful in
the past and will it be successful in the future?

15. The Species Based
Approach
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4586e/y4586e06.htm
Conservation can be managed at many different
scales, but there are 3 general levels:
(i) Species based approach
(ii) Area based approach
(iii) Ecosystem based approach.
Read the info on the link above and evaluate each of
the levels. Make a table that includes both
advantages, limitations, and concerns.

16. Summary
How should we approach conservation? Or
should we?
Discuss in teams and write out a conclusion of
your position and justify it.
Consider the relative strengths and weaknesses
of:
- the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES)
- captive breeding and reintroduction programmes,
and zoos
- aesthetic versus ecological value.

17. Design Your Own
Design your own Conservation Program in your
own country!
Consider location, purpose, scope, staff,
management, and sustainability.