L2 Paradigms in conservation biology Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in L2 Paradigms in conservation biology Deck (13)
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1
Q

what does ‘declining pop paradigm’ focus on?

A

the cause of smallness and the cure

2
Q

what does the ‘small pop paradigm’ focus on?

A

the effect of smallness on the persistence of a pop

3
Q

What are the 4 main causes of a declining population?

A
  • Overexploitation
  • Introduced species
  • Habitat destruction & fragmentation
  • chains of linked extinctions
    a 5th point is ‘extinction synergies’ - a combined effect of all of these causes
4
Q

what is a case study example of habitat destruction/ fragmentation?

A

Passenger pigeon in the 19th century, they needed a critical population size as they were social feeders.

5
Q

What is stochasticity?

A

The quality of having an element of randomness/haphazardness to a plan or process

6
Q

What are more likely to negatively influence a small population?

A

Demographic stochasticity
Genetic stochasticity
Environmental stochasticity
Catastrophes

7
Q

What is demographic stochasticity?

A

variability of sex ratio & growth rates. So in a small population the structure of the pop will be all over the place & this will have a detrimental effect.

8
Q

What is environmental stochasticity?

A

Random environmental fluctuations, often resulting in population change

9
Q

describe the term extinction vortex

A

the extinction vortex is the term used to describe the process that declining populations undergo when a mutual reinforcement occurs among biotic and abiotic processes that drives population size downward to extinction (Brook, Sodhi & Bradshaw 2008)

10
Q

How would you use the declining population paradigm in conservation? (5 steps)

A

1) Use scientific method to deduce both why the pop declined and which agent caused it. Don’t assume folk wisdom is correct lay (untrained) or scientific.
2) Remove or neutralise the agent of decline.
3) Release a probe group to confirm the cause has been deduced correctly
4) If so restock unoccupied areas by translocation or, if the remnant pop is too low to risk further reduction, breed up a protected stock asap, as near to problem site as poss and release.
5) Monitor the subsequent re-establishment

11
Q

what management intervention techniques could you use for critically endangered species in wild populations and habitats? (8) (Maguire et al., 1987)

A

1) Translocating individuals or genetic material
2) Raising the carrying capacity (artificial feeding)
3) restricting dispersal (fencing)
4) Fostering and cross-fostering young
5) Culling
6) Preserving habitat
7) Restoring habitat
8) Reducing mortality (vaccinations, parasite & predator & poaching control)

12
Q

what management intervention techniques could you use for critically endangered species in captive only? (3) (Maguire et al., 1987)

A

1) maintain captive breeding pops for reintroduction & or repeated captivity
2) Genetic and demographic management
3) maintaining gametes or embryos in ‘miniature zoos’ i.e.e freezers

13
Q

what management intervention techniques could you use for critically endangered species in captive and wild pops? (2) (Maguire et al., 1987)

A

1) re-introdcution of captive reared individuals or genetic material to occupied or unoccupied habitat
2) continued capture of wild individuals or genetic material for future captive propagation (breeding)