Habitat Diversity

1
Habitat Diversity

• C.2.1, C.2.1, C.2.7
• C.3.2 C.3.5

2
Factors that Lead to Loss of Diversity

• Natural Hazards (volcanoes, drought)
• Global catastrophic events (ice age, meteor
  impact
• Indroduction of non-native genetically modified
  species
• Pollution
• Hunting, collecting, harvesting

http//www.costumes.org/store/advertisers/amazon/c
ostumes3/designerredvicttourhat.jpeg
3
Why should we care about loss of biodiversity?

• Use Value (Instrumental)
• Goods services
• Ecological services
• Recreation
• Scientific information
• Use in the future
• Non-use value (intrinsic)
• Existence value
• Aesthetics
• Bequest (will be used in the future)

http//www.ensisjv.com/Portals/0/biodiversity.jpg
4
Value of Tropical Rainforests

• More than ½ of all species of plants animals
• Carbon Absorption
• Flood Attenuation
• Water Cycle (Transpiration)

http//ridge.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/biogeog-jpgs/tropica
l-rainforest.JPG
5
Vulnerability of Tropical Rainforests

• Population Growth
• Poverty (Subsistence farmers)
• Harmful Government Subsidies
• Debts to Developed countries
• Failure to value Ecological Services

http//www.worldproutassembly.org/images/deforesta
tion_bolivia.jpg
6
Rate of degradation

• PSU study- Brazils Rainforest will disappear in
  40-50 years
• All Tropical forests estimated to lose or degrade
  in 35-117 years

7
Can we Reduce Tropical Deforestation?

• Sustainable Agriculture forestry
• Sustainable Harvest
• Debt-for nature swaps
• Certifying Sustainably produced Tropical timber

http//images.wildmadagascar.org/pictures/tana-mar
oantsetra/deforestation_aerial_0066.jpg
8
Agencies Preserving Ecosystems

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  governmental organization
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) non-governmental
  organization
• Greenpeace - non-governmental organization

9
UNEP

• Founded in 1972 after the Stockholm Conference
  (UN conference on environment)
• 58 countries
• Works with governments to promote environmentally
  sound development
• To provide leadership and encourage partnership
  in caring for the environment by inspiring,
  informing and enabling nations and peoples to
  improve their quality of life without
  compromising that of the future generations

http//www.ih-ra.com/advocacy/issues/org_briefs/un
ep.gif
10
UNEP (contd)

• Global Resource Information Database (GRID)
• International Registry of Potentially Toxic
  Chemicals (IRPTC)
• World Conservation and Monitoring Centre -
  biodiversity assessment

http//www.dw-world.de/image/0,,501364_1,00.jpg
11
WWF

• Founded in 1961 by wildlife enthusiasts
• Worlds largest private (i.e. non-governmental)
  international conservation organization
• Headquarters in Switzerland
• 50 offices around the world
• Promotes awareness of conservation issues and
  raises money for protection of species and
  habitats
• Through research, education, lobbying, campaigns,
  support of other organizations

http//www.ecopacifico.org/picSystem/logoWWF.gif
12
WWF (contd) 6 global issues

• Climate change
• Living waters
• Forests for Life
• Endangered Seas
• Species
• Toxics

http//nail.cc/brain/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/ww
f_co2_cloud.jpg
13
Greenpeace

• Founded in 1971 by a small group protesting
  against nuclear testing in AK
• NGO
• 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia
  and the Pacific
• Research, education, lobbying, campaigns,
  peaceful acts of civil disobedience

http//www.myitablet.com/gallery/files/5/2/5/profi
le_img1_greenpeace.gif
14
Greenpeace campaigns to

• Stop climate change
• Protect ancient forests
• Save the oceans
• Stop whaling
• Say no to genetic engineering
• Stop the nuclear threat
• Eliminate toxic chemicals
• Encourage sustainable trade

http//www.iphonic.tv/iphone_greenpeace-thumb.jpg
15
World Conservation Strategy

• Proposed by IUCN, UNEP, WWF in 1980
• Signed by 30 countries
• Now referred to as Caring for the Earth A
  Strategy for Sustainable Living
• Objectives
• Maintain ecological processes and life support
  systems
• Preserve genetic diversity
• Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems

http//bpsp-neca.brim.ac.cn/books/actpln_uzbek/0-c
over.jpg
16
Desirable Characteristics of Reserves (Protected
Areas)

• Large enough for viable populations (including
  large carnivores)
• In one block - not too spread out or fragmented
• Minimize edgearea ratio (? edge effects)
• Corridors to connect smaller areas
• Legislation or purchase to protect it
• Variety of habitat
• Community support
• Financial support

http//www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools/downlo
ads/yarner.jpg