Conservation
Conservation Significance
The majority of the original grasslands and grassy woodlands have been converted to agricultural grassland with a much lower diversity of native flora and fauna, invasion of exotic agricultural plants and weeds, and less groundcover and soil stability, while the small remnants of these ecosystems are highly vulnerable to change.
Remnants of native grasslands and grassy woodlands are ‘harbours of biodiversity’ (Eddy 2002, p. 4). A number of species that have largely disappeared because of agricultural and associated development are likely to found in these remnants. These ecosystems conserve biodiversity in relatively intact and naturally functioning communities, which is the most effective and appropriate form of conservation with a minimum of management effort and cost (Eddy 2002).
Native grasslands and grassy woodlands with high biodiversity provide abundant genetic resources and reserve evolutionary processes, while those with relatively low biodiversity act as corridors between areas of high biodiversity for the continuing movement of genetic material (Eddy 2002).
In addition, these ecosystems offer food and shelter for a wide variety of animals. Most of Victoria’s extinct mammals depended on grassland ecosystems. One third of Victoria’s rare or threatened plants, birds and reptiles in danger of extinction are part of the grassland ecosystems (Iramoo 2014).
Conservation Management
Disturbance management
It is widely acknowledged that maintaining diversity in productive sites requires periodical biomass reduction. Historically, livestock grazing has caused enormous damage to many areas. However, there is a trend recently to use stock grazing as a biodiversity enhancement tool, y...
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... deal with uncertainty in natural resource management, monitoring the results of management actions and updating management accordingly. Normally, it starts with a survey of grassland condition and species presence as a benchmark to monitor and compare (Eddy 2002). Moreover, it requires appropriate quantitative models as a core element, the failure of which impedes implementation of management.
Rumpff et al. (2009) developed a state-and-transition model (STM) in the form as a Bayesian Network for adaptive management of native woodland in southeastern Australia. One advantage is strong implications for cost-efficient restoration. Similarly, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research has developed a dynamic Bayesian Network model for native grassland conservation. The model is part of Western Grassland Reserves (WGR) program and at validation stage (DSE 2011).
Fragmentation is the product of increased human population, and the expansion of the grasslands (due to human activity). Fragmented Population caused from human interference has led to a lack of gene flow within species. Although this problem poses a legitimate threat, no real action has been taken to prevent fragmentation from continuing. Human activities such as “the expansion of farmland, human occupation, the lack of accessible habitat, and the sparsity of suitable/favorable habitat” (Thalmann et al., 2011) are facilitating this critical issue. Lacking gene diversity is caused from extreme isolation, small numbers, and lack of gene flow (Thalmann et al., 2011).
Power, Sally A.; Green, Emma R.; Barker, Chris G.; Bell, J. Nigel B.; Ashmore, Mike R. "Ecosystem recovery: heathland response to a reduction in nitrogen deposition." Global Change Biology 12
Landscape fragmentation contributes to loss of migratory corridors, loss of connectivity and natural communities, which all lead to a loss of biodiversity for a region. Conservation of biodiversity must include all levels of diversity: genetic, species, community, and landscape (CNHP 1995). Each complex level is dependent upon and linked to the other levels. In addition, humans are linked to all levels of this hierarchy. A healthy natural and human environment go hand in hand (CNHP 1995). An important step in conservation planning, in order to guarantee both a healthy natural environment as well as a healthy human environment, is recognizing the most endangered elements.
Temperate grassland biomes can be found in North America, Africa, the pampas of South America and many parts of Eurasia. Grass is the main plant in Temperate Grassland biomes, trees and shrubs are rare to see in this type of biome. Temperate grasslands also have an extremely high abundance of wildlife. The wildlife living in this biome includes bison and pronghorn sheep, but mainly the animals most affected were the cattle and horses that lived on the surrounding farms.
In Thinking Like a Mountain, the author, Aldo Leopold, writes of the importance of wildlife preservation through examples of the symbiotic relationship of animals and plant-life with a mountain. He asks the reader to perceive the processes of a mountainous environment in an unusual way. Aldo Leopold wants the reader to "think" like a mountain instead of thinking of only the immediate, or as the hunter did. Taking away one feature of an ecosystem may eventually destroy everything else that that environment is composed of. Nature and wildness is essential for the well being of life on this earth.
The prairie is facing several problems that threaten not only the wellbeing but also the existence of plant and animal species. Habitat loss, overgrazing, and pollution are ruining the prairie ecosystem. The habitats of native prairie animals are being destroys and converted into farmland. Prairie grasses are being uprooted, which are a vital food source for prey animals. When these prey animals do not have enough resources to sustain their current population, their decreasing numbers create ripples across the food web. Loss of prairie grasses is also a problem for animals that live create nests inside them to shelter them and their young. Another side effect of habitat loss is that as the amount of land decreases, the population density increases
These four studies evaluated the use of marine protected areas (MPAs) as the primary tool for conservation efforts. Within Fox’s study he identifies four components that increase a MPA’s effectiveness, all of which focus on bringing together the goals of the governing bodies involved, as well those of the locals who rely on the marine systems in question for resources. The research presented by Edgar and his team presents similar findings as they identify five factors that have shown to increase the success of MPAs after they studied 87 different MPA locations. In addition to identifying the key factors that contribute to MPA success, they also identify some factors that lead to MPA failure. Halpern’s study focuses on the limitations of MPA networks and the broader scope issues that need to also be addressed in order to for MPAs to be truly effective. Halpern and his team suggest that an EBM approach may be the best solution for addressing these issues. Chuenpagdee’s research also highlights the challenges and issues surrounding the implementation of effective MPAs. The study included an in-depth look into four case studies that focused on the design stages of MPAs, and the social issues that must be taken into consideration, and how the incorporation of local communities into management efforts could lead to increases in MPA network success and sustainability. The compilation of data presented in these studies, all highlight the fact that nations are increasing the number of MPAs, in order to reach international goals of conservation, however even if the global area goals of protection are met, it is clear that the success of these protected areas will be heavily dependent upon the socioeconomic issues surrounding the impacted ...
Community structures and functions are constantly changing. Organisms die and replaced over time. The gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time is called ecological succession. Succession is usually defined as ‘a continuous, unidirectional, sequential change in the species composition of a natural community’ (Mackenzie, Ball & Virdee, 2001). Succession occurs because the environmental conditions in a particular area change over time. Each species is adapted to compete against other species under a very specific set of environmental conditions. If these conditions were to change, the existing species will be replaced by a new set of species that are better adapted to the new conditions.
Various plant and animal species depend on each other for what each offers and these diverse species ensures natural sustainability for all life forms. A healthy and solid biodiversity can recover itself from a variety of disasters. It is estimated that the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be. Therefore, there is an urgent need, not only to manage and conserve the biotic wealth, but also restore the degraded ecosystems. c) Captivity breeding species can again be reintroduced into the wild.
Land use types under perennial crops generally exhibit more species diversity than lands under annual crops. Coffee plots have the highest species diversity than Khat and eucalyptus perhaps due to the shade trees in the coffee farms. The expansion of Khat and eucalyptus may lead to a reduction in biodiversity in the areas where these crops compete with each other (Taye, Hylanderb, Sileshi. 2017).
When most people think of wetlands the first thing that will pop into their mind will be visions of swamps and flooded plains. These marshy lands would seem to have no purpose, while in reality they are the most precious form of ecosystem that we have in America. Wetlands contribute to biodiversity, clean water, flood control, and provide a habitat for millions of species of plants and animals. Even with all this wetlands still face mass destruction, much like the rain forests they are just as productive and face similar rates of devastation (Mitchell, J. (1992, October). “Our Disappearing Wetlands” National Geographic, Pg 15).
Ranganathan, J. et al. (2008). Ecosystem Services a Guide for Decision Makers. World Resources Institute.
One of the reasons for loss in biodiversity is alteration of habitats. A habitat is the natural environment in which a species of living organism lives. If the habitat of a species is changed, it will cause the species to die or migrate to other places where it can find its natural habitat. There are many ways in which the habitat of plants and animals can be altered. One of them is land use changes. Since the beginning of human life, human beings have been changing land use for farming. Large areas of forests have been cleared by humans to increase the area of farming to satisfy their growing needs. Many biodiversity-rich landscape characteristics have been lost due to intensive farming (Young, Richards, Fischer, Halada, Kull, Kuzniar, Tartes, Uzunov & Watt, 2007). For example, traditional farming was replaced by private farms in Europe after the First World War causing an immense change in land use patterns. Another major proble...
Shah, Anup. Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions. Global Issues, 19 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 May 2014.
NEED AND PURPOSE FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity, a contraction of “biological diversity,” generally refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The very existence of human species and sustainable development depend on biodiversity conservation, therefore the need for conservation of biodiversity is basically for this reason that all living creatures need other creatures and plants in one way or the other. At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are mainly derived from biological resources. Biodiversity is necessary for our existence as well as valuable in its own right as it provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services which are essential