14: Protecting Biodiversity
- Page ID
- 111142
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Chapter Summary
The field of conservation focuses on preserving biodiversity. Effective conservation depends on ecological knowledge. Today, the main efforts to preserve biodiversity involve legislative approaches to regulate human and corporate behavior, setting aside protected areas, and ecosystem restoration.
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
- Describe national and state laws designed to protect biodiversity.
- Explain the role of non-profit organization in conservation.
- Explain strategies used by conservation biologists to save or protect endangered species.
- Provide an example of ecological restoration.
- List choices that an individual could make that would help protect biodiversity.
Attribution
- 14.1: Policies
- National laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, and state laws, such as the California Endangered Species Act, strive to protect biodiversity. International agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, facilitate collaboration among different countries in conservation efforts.
- 14.2: Non-profit Organizations
- Non-profit organizations fund conservation research and actions.
- 14.3: Species-level Conservation
- Species-level conservation focuses on increasing the population size of just one (often charismatic) species. Depending on the species, conservation strategies may include captive breeding and reintroduction, vaccination, and habitat restoration.
- 14.4: Protected Areas
- Protected areas are those set aside to preserve biodiversity. Different types of protected areas offer different degrees of protection and vary in which human activities are permitted. Examples include wilderness areas, national and state parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges.
- 14.5: Ecosystem Restoration
- Ecosystem restoration focuses on returning an area to its natural state following disturbance by humans to promote native species and ecosystem services.
- 14.6: Economic Influences on Conservation
- Debt-for-nature swaps and ecotourism add economic incentive to conservation efforts and thus promote their success.
- 14.7: Individual Choices
- Individuals can assist with conservation efforts by purchasing sustainable products, conserving resources, and engaging in citizen science.