How can we prioritise species for conservation?

Example of EDGE conservation work:

One of EDGE’s top 100 critically endangered Amphibians called Archey’s frog(Leiopelma archeyi) as you can see in Fig 5 hasan EDGE score of 7.24.In 1996 the population study of Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi) ‘on the Tapu Ridge indicated a population decline of 88% (433 frogs down to 53 frogs) over the period 1996-2002’[6] The decline of Archeys frogs’ population is estimated to be further than 80% over the last ten years and therefore is listed as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red list of Threatened species. The incidental disappearance of majority of the population could be to the result of the disease chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis).

Tackling the decline of population

Once the potential threat had been identified a project was started to find the cure for the number 1 EDGE amphibian (Leiopelma archeyi) from the disease chytridiomycosis in the lab. And finally a safe cure was developed for chytridiomycosis. Project members: , ,

• Frog habitats protected by removing predators such as rats and mice and making sure that they do not gain increased access to existing frog populations.

• Further introducing frog species, captive breeding, monitoring, population studies, and habitat conservation in addition conservation measures that are proposed for this species is that, established actions continue.

Furthermore research was done on the Endangered Amphibian Leiopelma archeyi by another group, assessor/s: Ben Bell, reviewer/s: Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson and Neil Cox)In their population study on the Tapu Ridge they found that there was a decline ‘by 88% (433 frogs down to 53 frogs) over the period 1996-2002.’ [7]The cause of the decline of this species was not definitely known, but it may have been the reason of disease, most probable cause, in particular chytridiomycosis. ‘Chytrid fungus infection was first identified in this species in September 2001 (specimen collected June 2001 at Te Moehu).’ [8]

Their conservationactionswere toestablish breeding facilities for maintaining the species furthermore current declines and the positive identification of chytrid fungus have inspired crucial research and organisation of the species research including pathology, captive management, population monitoring, and molecular research.

In conclusion, we can see that the method of EDGE upon the critically endangered amphibian Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi) is similarly described by the second research as also being critically endangered.  Equally both researches also agree that the number of this specie is declining due to a possible disease called chytridiomycosis. Furthermore, the action to overcome the main cause of the decline was to do research on chytridiomycosis In order to find a cure for the disease and also to establish breeding facilities.

IMPLICATIONS:

Economic

Benefits:By conserving fragile, pristinespecies and environments can draw in Ecotourism providing funds for ecological conservation

Risks:negative impacts on local communities because locals are moved to make room for tourist parks, resort, etc. In addition the activity of illegally keeping endangered species in captivity to attract visitors’ this leads to  less rare species as they are widely hunted down and kept for show. Moreover Industrialization, urbanization, and unsustainable agriculture practices leave negative impacts on the environment.Furthermorevarious forms of pollution such as more tour vehicles can impact the environment.

Alternative:Funding can be attained from many conservation charities such as EDGE which can help fund conservation programmes

Environmental

Benefits:

Edge is able to conserve species that are at most risk of being extinct and therefore reviving extinct species can help humans in terms of finding new cures to new diseases etc.

Risk:

By only conserving highly endangered species like the Archey’s frog(Leiopelma archeyi) and not giving much attention on lower Edge scored species may cause lower edge scored species to become increasingly threatened as they are not given much devotion and consideration

Alternative: Is to give equal attention to both lower Edge scored species as to higher Edge scored species so that conditions such as population size is noticed, not until they become highly endangered but when changes are seen from the beginning  therefore conservation workers can act quickly and more effectively.

Ethical Issues

Does Edge have the right to decide which species should survive and which should die out?

Well Edge along with other groups is doing there best with the limited amount of funding and resources to try and sustain the great biodiversity on earth.

Alternative Method:

Keystone

Keystone species are ‘essential for an ecosystem to maintain its fundamental structure and process integrity’[9] these species give rise to surrounding species and enrich the environment around it therefore can provide economic value. Furthermore this can help provide necessary food for the survival of other animals facing extinction and also perhaps help humans living in the same environment by providing food.

Example: In wet woodland and forest the beaver is a keystone species and has many benefits in its ecosystem as it provides fish for otters, habitat for dragonflies, improves biodiversity by creating a more natural woodland furthermore beaver ponds can provide important habitat for fishes during the winter and in times of drought.  

Indicator species

An indicator species is a trait or characteristic of the environment that is defined by any biological species. For example, a species may delineate an ecoregion or indicate an environmental condition such as, species competition, pollution, climate change or a disease outbreak. Indicator species act as an early warning to monitoring biological change and therefore can be among the most sensitive species in a region some times.

Example:  salmons are the best indicator species of coastal ecosystem health. They are sensitive in water quality changes, upstream perturbations to the river flow, temperature and turbidity. Juvenile salmons’ can indicate declining of ecosystem health.

Evaluation: