6.1 HIPPO-1

Learning Outcomes:1. Explain how HIPPO factors contribute to population changesReadings: 14: 363-370, 379-382, 386-38715: 414-418Viewing: E.O. Wilson explains HIPPO http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/83(http://www.eol.org/eo_wilson_speech.html ) for the text of the speech

The impacts of human population growth:

H habitat loss/destruction

I invasive/introduced species

P pollution

P population growth (by humans)

O overuse/overconsumption of native species

Habitat destruction

Prince George, BC (Google Earth) What are the white dots?

QUESTIONS:What happens when a habitat becomes fragmented?

1. There is an overall decrease in the amount of habitat area.

Fragmented habitat (Amazon)

93% of earth’s coral reefs have been damaged by human activity Reefs only occupy about 0.2% of the ocean floorWe will lose 40-50% of the reefs in the next 30 to 40 yrs. These reefs are home to ~1/3 of the planet’s marine fish

Despite laws which require all clear-cut land in BC to be replanted within 5 years, the amount of old growth forest being lost in BC continues to increase (aside from mt. pine beetle damage).Fragmentation creates small isolated populations thus increasing extinctions. Loss of biodiversity is seen along boundaries of natural habitats.

2. The smaller fragmented patches have more contact with the second habitat (shown as light coloured strips). What effect might this have on the species in the green habitat? Imagine that we have a large contiguous section of Pacific Spirit Park and suddenly it gets fragmented and the light habitat are open grassy areas. What effect could that have on plant species that were previously in shady forest with big trees and are now right next to open grassy areas?- Changing abiotic conditions next to the edge- Possible increased predation with increased exposure- Possible increased competition with species found in the second habitat

Which scenario is likely to affect the most species?a- Some mating pairs need isolation for breeding so fragmentation will INCREASE their reproductive

rateb- Many breeding pairs mate for life so there will be LITTLE EFFECT on reproductive rate b/c the pairs

will stay togetherc- The reproductive rate will DECREASE if individuals have difficulty travelling between patches to find

mates OR there can be inbreeding in these populations causing each to be genetically less fit (inbred offspring will die more frequently)

It’s harder to breed w/ other individuals if there are few in your patch or if there is difficulty moving to other patches (animals) or spreading gametes to individuals in other patches (plants)

- Changing abiotic conditions- Increased exposure to predators in open habitat- Smaller mating populations- Loss of genetic diversity

3. A number of small “metapopulations” are created. Imagine we initially have the same number of species in the green patches compared to the continuous green habitat. (Compare the two areas below) Why can species more easily be lost from individual patches than when the habitat is continuous? Consider the habitat below with one animal species shown as males ♂ and females as ♀. Why is this population more threatened now that the species are found in small patches?

4. Species can become more vulnerable to predators when found in small patches. When motile species may attempt to move from one patch to another they may be more vulnerable while traveling from one patch to another in the different habitat. Eg. What if the species below were deer…why would a deer become more vulnerable when moving from one forest patch through the open grassy area to another forest patch? - The deer is more vulnerable because it is easy to see, as compared to other species.

♂♀ ♂ ♀ ♀♂ ♀ ♂♀ ♀♀ ♀ ♂♂♂♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀♂♂ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀♂ ♀ ♀ ♂♂ ♂ ♀♀♀ ♀ ♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂♂♂ ♂ ♂♂♂ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂♂ ♂♀

♂♀ ♂ ♀ ♀♂ ♀ ♂♀ ♀♀ ♀ ♂♂♂♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀♂♂ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀♂ ♀ ♀ ♂♂ ♂ ♀♀♀ ♀ ♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂♂♂ ♂ ♂♂♂ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♀♀ ♂ ♂ ♀ ♂♂ ♂♀

If we know habitat destruction is responsible, what can we do?- Habitat restoration

Western screech-owl (Otus kennicottii macfarlanei)

You can help: http://www.pacificspiritparksociety.org/Volunteering/Work_Parties.html http://www.parkpartners.ca/partners/burnaby/burnaby.htm Different lower mainland parks and organizations have various volunteer opportunities. http://www.parkpartners.ca/associations . - Protected areas (some areas exist, others proposed, others needed)

Alaksen National Wildlife Area Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Bowie Seamount(snow geese) (tube worms near Black smoker) (salps and red sunflower seastars)Pacific flyway National Wildlife Area Marine Protected Area Marine Protected AreaGreat increases in diversity have been observed where fishing is prohibited. Also the population increases extend outside of protected area limits

Certain species are threatened because of habitat loss. These owls live along the Shuswap river in hollows within trees like black cottonwoods. Restoration attempts create habitat (eg by planting deciduous trees along rivers (riparian areas), exclude livestock (cows damage habitat) and also create temporary habitat (bird houses).

-wildlife corridors for larger animals (Lake Louise) and reptiles and amphibians (Iowa project)

Invasive and Introduced Species:

As a new species to the community, the frogs have few native predators. Herons, eagles, snakes, only consume young frogs often certain size range not taken.

Bullfrogs have voracious appetites. They will consume “anything that they can get into their mouths”Eg. Insects ducklings, songbirds, mice, garter snakes, fish, other amphibians includes red-legged frog (native BC species) Also competes with red –legged frog for foodBullfrogs are prolific reproducers. One female can produce and lay up to 20 000 eggs at one time.They can easily disperse between ponds, lakes and streams. It has been estimated that they have increase their range on Vancouver Island by 5 km a year. -invade new habitats ,cause increased competition for space or habitat

What impact do the bullfrogs have on native frog species?-outcompete for food and space -prey on the native frogs -native spp. are decreasing (ironically these bullfrogs are declining in Ontario, one of their native habitats, due to pollution, roadkill and habitat loss)

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) was introduced as a garden plant in 1850. Seed pods produce many seeds that spread explosively. The plants grow quickly, shading other native plants. Scotch broom has another advantage in that a symbiotic bacteria lives within its roots. These bacteria fix nitrogen from the soil and enable scotch broom to live in poor soils or disturbed sites.

American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) are common in eastern Canada and the U.S. They were brought to B.C. by entrepreneurs that set up farms in the hope of selling the frogs legs to local restaurants. These businesses were not successful, the farms were abandoned and the frogs were free.

Scotch broom Garry Oak meadow, an endangered ecosystem in B.C.Scotch broom is now common in southern B.C. and has invaded Garry Oak meadow communities. QUESTION: Can you think of any other unique ecosystems full of species found nowhere else which may be in danger? (Anywhere in the world?)

QUESTIONS: The green crab is slowly moving up the west coast towards British Columbia, in order to become established here what conditions must exist? In other words, what are characteristics of invasive species?

You can help remove invasive plant species:http://www.stanleyparkecology.ca/programs/public/ivy_busters.phphttp://www.pacificspiritparksociety.org/Volunteering/Get_Involved.html

Which of these is not a defining characteristic of invasive speciesa. They are aggressive competitors (they have to be able to compete w/ what’s already there)b. They have many predators (If there were many predators, they wouldn’t be able to get established

in the new habitat)c. They have many possible food sources (helps make the species more adaptable to the new

environment. Adaptations to prevent predation, toxins, spines etc in plants)d. They have many offspringe. They tolerate a wide range of abiotic vactors

The Garry Oak meadow ecosystem is a relatively small isolated ecosystem containing endangered species such as the Garry oak itself. Areas like it which have endemic plant and animal species (unique species only found there) are especially vulnerable to introduced species becoming invasive.