There are two general methods emplyed to conservation and manage
of biodiversity: Ex Situ and In Situ Management.
6.1
Ex Situ Management
Ex situ managemet involves conserving
biological diversity in human-controlled settings. Zoos, aquariums and other
research facilities have been used to breed endangered animals in captivity.
The new offspring are then released back into the wild. This technique is very
expensive and not practical as these facilities do not have enough space to
deal with all the animals classified as endangered. Species to be saved are
then chosen on what humans deem as being significant .. Further, this technique
does not take into account the important ecological relationships that exist
between species and the environment.
To preserve endangered plant species, seeds are collected and
stored in seed banks. Seed banks can store a large amount of genetic material
and keep it safe from habitat destruction. Like zoos and aquariums, however,
many problems also exist with this technique. First, seeds do not remain viable
indefinitely and some plant species do not produce seeds so storage is not
possible. Being stored prevents the species from evolving in responses to
changes in nature which may mean they are less successful when they are
re-introduced to their native habitat. Finally, accidents or fires can cause
the permanent loss of the stored diversity.
The ultimate goal of ex situ conservation programs is to release
the species into the wild. Ideally, before this is done the area should be
studied to see what originally caused the species decline and if those threats
still exist. Further, the area should be investigated to ensure that a suitable
habitat remains for the species. If these studies do not take place and
conditions have not changed it is likely the species will not survive and
ultimately become extinct.
6.2
In Situ Management
In situ approaches include the establishment
of parks and reserves to preserve biodiversity in the wild. In situ
conservation involves identifying and protecting areas with a great deal of
biodiversity. Currently there are more than 3000 national parks, sanctuaries,
refuges, forests and other protected areas throughout the world. Scientists,
however, do not believe that this is enough. They believe that a minimum of 10
% of the world's land should be set aside as protected areas. Protecting the
entire landscape not only helps to conserve an individual species but it also
helps to preserve the ecological relationships which are important to an
ecosystem. Efforts to manage wildlife is another in situ approach. Laws to
regulate hunting, harvest quotas and treaties to protect migrating game species
all act to conserve biodiversity
More than 7 % of British Columbia is currently protected to
maintain biodiversity. Included in this area are large wilderness areas and
small reserves that are set aside for a particular species. The government of
British Columbia would like to set aside more land and increase overall
protected areas to at least 12 %. Future government strategies include
identifying areas with high biodiversity and establishing protection, and in
the future making possible connections through landscape linkages.
In the Okanagan, the following initiatives have been put in
place place to protect the unique biodiversity of the area:
-
The South Okanagan Critical Areas Program
( SOCAP ) was developed to protect the grasslands in the area.
-
The City of Kelowna has identified special features within
the city, and has examined ways of managing them. For example, the Sybil
Maude-Roxby Bird Sanctuary was created. This sanctuary was at one time a
wetland area. Development filled in the area and diverted groundwater flowing
into the area into city storm sewers, resulting in the area drying up. Work was
done to restore the area to its original state and create a wildlife park.
-
A 35 hectare piece of land in the south Okanagan was set
aside as an example of low elevation grassland. Originally, this area was
protected for burrowing owls.
-
Experiments were done by the Ministry of Environment in
conjunction with Pope and Talbot to leave 3 meter high stumps in logged areas
as an artificial habitat for bird species. More than 80 species of woodpeckers,
songbirds and mammals who spend all or part of their lives in dead or dying
trees, so the stumps should created a similar habitat for them and potentially
increasing numbers
