Conservation

Strategies
Unit Objective: Conservation strategies used to
maintain biodiversity include genetic,
environmental and management strategies
 Recap

What is biodiversity?

What are the defining features of a

biodiversity hotspot?
Why conserve biodiversity?
 Conservation
Strategies
Conservation Strategies
include:
Genetic strategies: gene/seed
banks & captive breeding
programs
Environmental strategies:
revegetation, control of
introduced species &
biosecurity/quarantine
procedures
Management strategies:
protected areas & restricted
commercial & recreational areas
 Genetic Strategies
Gene & seed banks have been built to preserve
biodiveristy
Used to preserve samples of diverse crop strains
The WA Seed Technology Centre at Kings Park &
Botanical Garden collects seeds & plant material to
conserve WAs biodiversity
Seeds kept in cold storage for a number of years
 Genetic Strategies
Problems:
Seed viability decreases with time, Antarctic stronghold of
majority of seeds die. It is, therefore, the worlds seeds floo
important to sow saved seed, allow
ded after permafrost me
the plants to mature and harvest the
lted
seeds once again for storage. This
process is very expensive
http://www.motherearthnews.com/natu
re-and-environment/seed-genetic-div
ersity-zmaz82mjzglo.aspx

Many of the worlds ancient crop

seeds are being contaminated or lost
due to carelessness during harvesting
or handling and lack of funding
https://www.newscientist.com/articl
e/mg15721212-100-growing-problem-in
-seed-banks/
 Genetic Strategies
Captive Breeding
Example:
Dryandra Barna Mia is part of The Department of Parks and
Wildlifes (DPAW) Return to Dryandra project which aims
to reintroduce animals to former habitats by eliminating
feral predators and establishing breeding programs
https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/barna-mia
Perth Zoo has been working with DPAW to run breed-and-
release programs for a range of endemic species (Numbat,
Shark Bay mouse, dibbler & western swamp tortoise)
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/200
9/06/the-good-fight-captive-breeding-programs/

Releases from these programs usually only occur where

habitat is healthy & threats have been removed/contained
 Genetic Strategies
Problems:
Very expensive
Money could be better spent on habitat
protection or threat abatement for wild
populations
Ethical & philosophical issues. Animals are not
raised for human education, they are not free to
act entirely as they please and they can not
leave or they will die. The worst of both worlds.
http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/201
5/02/19/4182548.htm
 Environmental
Strategies
Revegetation local & national programs developed to
rehabilitate degraded areas & reduce the impact of
introduced species by planting native plants
Greening of Australia
https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/ , Friends of
Bullcreek, Ribbon of Green (free native plants for
properties & schools), Ribbon of Blue (Swan River, WA),
Men of Trees http://www.menofthetrees.com.au/
Benefits:
prevent spread of deserts, erosion, salinity, increase
biodiversity, native birds and animals return to their natural
habitats (food, shelter), threatened landscapes restored,
climate resilience, farmers yields increase after revegetation
and soil erosion rates dropping in agricultural areas as plants
help to stabilise vulnerable paddocks.
 Environmental
Strategies
Control of introduced species
Desirable to rid Australia of its worst invasive species but
its not always achievable
Objective for the majority of established feral animals is
to reduce the damage caused by the pest species in a
cost effective manner
Including: localised eradication, periodic reduction of
feral numbers, sustained reduction of feral numbers,
removal of the most destructive individuals or exclusion
of feral animals from an area
Localised removal of weeds weeding, herbicides
 Environmental
Strategies
Control methods include:
conventional control methods (trapping, baiting 1080,
fencing, Judas pig technique, plant removal by hand,
poison or burned & shooting) and biological control
(cane toads, rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD),
myxomatosis, dung beetle, cactoblastis moth for
prickly pear and weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae to
control the aquatic fern Salvinia molesta)
Ethical Issues: humane treatment and removal
guidelines must be followed
https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive-
species/feral-animals-australia

https://csiropedia.csiro.au/salvinia-biocontrol/
 Management
Strategies
National Parks & state reserves
Based on designated features worthy of
preservation
National Parks areas of land protected
because they have unspoilt landscapes & a
diverse number of native plants & animals.
Commercial activities (i.e. farming)
prohibited & human activity monitored
Protect native flora & fauna
Provide opportunities to learn about
Australia unique environment. Heritage &
culture
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/a
ustralian-story/national-parks

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
 Management
Strategies
Restricted commercial & recreational access
Fishing licence
Bag and size limits
Seasonal access to areas

Education
Reduce/reuse/recycle programs
Community Awareness
Jarrah Dieback