Implementation of conservation biology
Implementation of conservation biology practise in reserve and non-reserve scenarios
Conservation based reserves: reserves are not adequate for nature conservation, but they are the cornerstone on
which regional strategies are built.
Roles:
1. Sample or represent the biodiversity of each region
2. Separate this biodiversity from processes that threaten its persistence
Practice of conservation planning has not generally been systematic – social, economic and political imperatives modify scientific
prescriptions
Largest protected areas encompass entire ecosystems. Smaller protected areas are only fragments of once much larger
ecosystems.
Reserve design principles based on island biogeography theory:
1. Large reserves better than small reserves
2. A single large reserve is better than a group of smaller ones of equivalent total area
3. Reserves close together are better than reserves is better than reserves a long way apart
4. A compact cluster of reserves is better than reserves a long way apart
5. Circular reserves are better than long, thin reserves
6. Reserves connected by a corridor are better than reserves not connected by a corridor
Metapopulation dynamics
Source-pool effects and successional pathways
Spatial autoecological requirements
Source-sink population structures
Effects of habitat modification
Species as evolutionary units
Of 11,633 specis of mammals, amphibians, freshwater turtles and tortoises, and globally threatened birds:
- 1,424 species are not protected in any part of their range (804 species threatened with extinction)
- Amphibians are the least well represented in protected areas
, - In the Americas, median size of strictly protected areas (Category I and II) is only 4.86 km and 57% are less than 10km 2
- Globally, only 46% of protected areas are found in the tropics, where 76% of species reside
Protected areas comprise 12.65% of the Earth’s surface – marine protected areas make up only 0.5% of the surface areas of the
oceans
Complementarity – selection algorithms use complementarity, a measure of the extent to which an area, or set of areas,
contributes unrepresented features to an existing area of set of areas.
Spatial constrains on the selection of reserves: costs, commitments, masks & preferences.
IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) definition: a protected area is 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 and other effective means. Vary greatly in their status.
IUCN categories of protected areas and their definitions:
CATEGORY 1a: STRICT NATURE RESERVE:
- Protected area managed mainly for science
- Area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding, or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or
species, available primary for scientific research and/or environmental monitoring
CATEGORY 1b: WILDERNESS AREA:
- Protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection
- Large area of unmodified or slightly modified land, and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence, without permanent
or significant habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition.
CATEGORY 2: NATIONAL PARK:
- Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
- Natural area of land and/or sea designated to:
a) Protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations
b) Exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area
c) Provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities
CATEGORY 3: NATURAL MONUMENT:
- Protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features
CATEGORY 4: HABITAT/SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREAS:
- Protected areas managed mainly for conservation through management intervention
Implementation of conservation biology practise in reserve and non-reserve scenarios
Conservation based reserves: reserves are not adequate for nature conservation, but they are the cornerstone on
which regional strategies are built.
Roles:
1. Sample or represent the biodiversity of each region
2. Separate this biodiversity from processes that threaten its persistence
Practice of conservation planning has not generally been systematic – social, economic and political imperatives modify scientific
prescriptions
Largest protected areas encompass entire ecosystems. Smaller protected areas are only fragments of once much larger
ecosystems.
Reserve design principles based on island biogeography theory:
1. Large reserves better than small reserves
2. A single large reserve is better than a group of smaller ones of equivalent total area
3. Reserves close together are better than reserves is better than reserves a long way apart
4. A compact cluster of reserves is better than reserves a long way apart
5. Circular reserves are better than long, thin reserves
6. Reserves connected by a corridor are better than reserves not connected by a corridor
Metapopulation dynamics
Source-pool effects and successional pathways
Spatial autoecological requirements
Source-sink population structures
Effects of habitat modification
Species as evolutionary units
Of 11,633 specis of mammals, amphibians, freshwater turtles and tortoises, and globally threatened birds:
- 1,424 species are not protected in any part of their range (804 species threatened with extinction)
- Amphibians are the least well represented in protected areas
, - In the Americas, median size of strictly protected areas (Category I and II) is only 4.86 km and 57% are less than 10km 2
- Globally, only 46% of protected areas are found in the tropics, where 76% of species reside
Protected areas comprise 12.65% of the Earth’s surface – marine protected areas make up only 0.5% of the surface areas of the
oceans
Complementarity – selection algorithms use complementarity, a measure of the extent to which an area, or set of areas,
contributes unrepresented features to an existing area of set of areas.
Spatial constrains on the selection of reserves: costs, commitments, masks & preferences.
IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) definition: a protected area is 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 and other effective means. Vary greatly in their status.
IUCN categories of protected areas and their definitions:
CATEGORY 1a: STRICT NATURE RESERVE:
- Protected area managed mainly for science
- Area of land and/or sea possessing some outstanding, or representative ecosystems, geological or physiological features and/or
species, available primary for scientific research and/or environmental monitoring
CATEGORY 1b: WILDERNESS AREA:
- Protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection
- Large area of unmodified or slightly modified land, and/or sea, retaining its natural character and influence, without permanent
or significant habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural condition.
CATEGORY 2: NATIONAL PARK:
- Protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation
- Natural area of land and/or sea designated to:
a) Protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations
b) Exclude exploitation or occupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area
c) Provide a foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities
CATEGORY 3: NATURAL MONUMENT:
- Protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural features
CATEGORY 4: HABITAT/SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREAS:
- Protected areas managed mainly for conservation through management intervention
