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Questions and Answers
What is the current status of the Operation Migration program?
What is the role of the ultralight aircraft pilot in Whooping Crane conservation?
What is sustainability in the context of biological conservation?
What is the primary goal of achieving sustainability in conservation?
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What is required to achieve sustainability in conservation?
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What is a key characteristic of a sustainable species population?
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What is the ultimate goal of biological conservation efforts?
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What is the relationship between humans and natural resources in sustainable conservation?
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Why is it important to consider the long-term needs of every ecosystem?
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What is the outcome of successful conservation efforts?
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What is the current habitat of the young Whooping Cranes guided by the ultralight aircraft pilot?
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What is the ideal population size for a sustainable species?
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Who must adopt policies and behaviors that consider the long-term needs of every ecosystem?
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What is the primary purpose of the ultralight aircraft guiding the Whooping Cranes?
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What is the desired outcome of a sustainable species population?
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What is the key challenge faced by the Whooping Crane species?
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What is the role of humans in achieving sustainability?
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What is the goal of conservation efforts for the Whooping Crane?
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What is the impact of a sustainable species population on its ecosystem?
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What is the expected outcome of successful conservation efforts?
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Study Notes
Conservation Biology
- Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary field that aims to halt biodiversity loss, maintain ecosystem functions, and restore degraded ecosystems.
- It was created in the mid-1980s by Michael Soule and other natural scientists.
Biological Diversity
- Biological diversity (biodiversity) refers to the variety of animals, plants, and microorganisms that exist on Earth.
- It also includes the variation of ecosystems and genetic variations within and between species.
Ecosystem Processes
- Ecosystem processes maintain viable populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Examples of ecosystem processes include nutrient cycling, soil respiration, pollination, fire disturbances, food web dynamics, and symbiotic relationships between species.
Population Viability Analysis (PVA)
- Conservation biologists conduct PVA to collect information on the level of extinction risk, causes of population decline, sources of future threats, and necessary management actions to reverse population decline.
- PVA is often conducted in collaboration with natural science specialists.
Focal Species
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Conservation biologists use focal species to guide their protection of Earth's biodiversity.
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There are six types of focal species:
Keystone Species
- An animal that plays a larger role in influencing the structure of its biological community.
- Example: Grey Wolves.
- Grey wolves prey on elk, ensuring only strong elk survive, and maintaining a balance in the ecosystem.
Umbrella Species
- A species with a wide ranging habitat, where conservation of its domain leads to the protection of many other species.
- Example: Greater Sage-Grouse.
- Conservation of the Greater Sage-Grouse's habitat leads to the protection of 82% more vertebrate species.
Flagship Species
- An animal that appeals to human emotions, making it a prime example of why to protect an ecosystem.
- Example: Polar Bears.
- Polar bears are used to influence the general populace to make moves towards protecting them and their habitat.
Indicator Species
- An animal whose presence level yields critical information about the biological community's environmental condition.
- Example: Frogs.
- Frogs are sensitive to ecological disturbances, and their population decline or alterations can indicate environmental problems.
Economically Important Species
- Plants and animals that are used by humans for food, medicine, tourism, pet trade, etc.
- Example: Cinchona Tree.
- The cinchona tree's bark produces quinine, used to treat malaria.
Vulnerable Species
- Plants and animals that lack adequate access to a specific resource(s).
- Example: Giant Panda.
- The giant panda is a vulnerable species that eats primarily bamboo, and its habitat is fragmented due to China's infrastructure development.
Types of Conservation
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Conservation biologists use two types of conservation:
In Situ Conservation
- Protecting species in their natural environment.
- Includes habitat protection, restoration, and management, as well as population enhancement activities.
- Examples: habitat protection, restoration, and management; creating corridors to facilitate wildlife movement.
Ex Situ Conservation
- Protecting species outside of their natural environment.
- Includes captive breeding, colony relocation, and education.
- Examples: zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens; captive breeding and relocation programs.
Sustainability
- Sustainability is the outcome of successful biological conservation efforts.
- It occurs when humans interact with a natural resource in a manner that lets the species reproduce in the wild, enhance its population's genetic diversity, and continue its ecological role within the ecosystem.
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Description
Learn about the importance of conservation biology, a field that aims to halt biodiversity loss and maintain ecosystem functions. Understand the concept of biological diversity and its significance. Explore the mission of conservation biologists.
