Approaches to species conservation

Learning goals:
* Understand the different strategies used to prevent species loss, and their benefits and potential pitfalls

Focus on species, or habitat??
Both if possible- can't preserve the species for long without the habitat

Goal is to avoid small population size- tool to project future population sizes:
Population Viability Analysis- population demographic model; The probabilities of population persistence are calculated under various scenarios.
Target population sizes can be calculated, vulnerable age classes can be evaluated, and informed decisions about captive breeding can be determined

Captive breeding involves removing some (or all) of the individuals in the population, and increasing population size under optimal conditions (often in a zoo)
Despite some successes, captive breeding programs are expensive, their success rate in reintroducing species into the wild is low, and their value has been questioned.

Prioritizing species helps maximize the biodiversity that can be protected with limited resources
Given our limited resources to protect species via legal action under the Endangered Species Act and other laws, as well as the need to balance economic development with protection of biodiversity, how do we prioritize our efforts?
Rarity of species is not enough to determine whether protection should be given.  Evaluation of species endangerment in U.S. by state and federal agencies, as well as NatureServe (Natural Heritage Program, NGO) involves several criteria, including:
* population size,
* the total geographic area that the species occupies,
* the rate of its decline,
* and its risk of extinction
Different sets of criteria are used for different kinds of organisms (e.g., birds or butterflies, or trees).

Evaluation of regions with clusters of threatened species identifies sensitive regions for resource development and conservation planning

Conservation strategies may utilize:
Surrogate species: protecting them protects many other species in the same imperiled habitat, particularly some for which information on conservation status is unknown
Flagship species is a charismatic organism that people will want to give protection to
Umbrella species- species with large home ranges (usually predators), which require substantial habitat