Whole Ecosystem vs. Single Species. Which is better for conservation practices?

Question

When considering the best tools for conservationists to use, which method will protect more species more efficiently? Should the entire ecosystem be protected or should conservation efforts be directed at the specific species? Also, what about the top-down idea of protecting the predator, and in turn protecting its habitat and the entire ecosystem.

I'm just curious to see other point of views and management strategies. Thanks.

Answer 1

As we learn more about how interrelated and balanced ecosystems are, we've been able to improve the habitat of endangered species -- putting them in a better position to recover.

A number of organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, have begun to use this "bigger picture" approach with a number of significant successes.

Even the hotly debated restoration of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has helped a number of endangered species in the area -- in a way scientist and experts never expected.

Before the return of the wolf, elk herds were over grazing and damaging several creek, stream and river bed areas throughout the park. With no predators to worry about the elk had become less transitory and were putting undue strains on parts of the watershed. This was negatively impacting a number of the parks waterfowl and song bird populations (as well as the breeding grounds for several fish species).

With the return of the wolf packs to the park, the elk have been forced to move more frequently throughout the day. Thus the creek and stream banks they used have had a chance to recover and become healthy again -- improving conditions for the birds that depend on them and the egg laying areas for fish.

Who could have foreseen the return of the wolf helping songbirds and fish?

I think the conservation efforts to assist an entire ecosystem will have stronger and more far reaching benefits to aiding wildlife, than the focusing of efforts on single species initiatives.

Answer 2

Whole vs. single? It depends. If you are looking to save one species because of the very high risk of extinction, the single specie model is more effective in terms of resources. If you are looking at a range of species with various risk factors you'll be better off with the ecosystem management strategy. It's a less intensive strategy per species but is more effective in terms of resources. It really depend on the outcome you want.

Top down? It's a good idea except as you succeed, the top predator will spread beyond the range you originally assign it and invade areas that you don't want it to be in. Also, some predators roam a wide range or get their food from migrating species so it could be tough to protect that whole ecosystem. You could end up with a point species (geographically) being supported by a very wide ecosystem. It would then be tough to gauge the health of the overall system solely on the success of the point species. This would be because a broad system wild have so many inputs and influences besides the predation that you couldn't get an accurate assessment of the whole system.

Answer 3

Second question in a row on species conservation, so I'll just give you the link to the 1st Q?.

Yes I agree with you. Ecosystems are more important. Whether it is clubbing baby seals to feed polar bears, or dumping tons of iron filings in the ocean to create CO2 eating algae blooms ... if it unbalances the ecosystem everything will be affected.

Answer 4

When trying to protect a single species, it is much too easy to throw the rest of the ecosystem out of balance. For example, in Delaware, for many years the land was protected for "hunting" purposes -- deer and waterfowl. As a result, many of our marshes are gone, dried up to make ponds for ducks instead. And our forests are often torn down, bo be replaced with meadows for the deer to more easily graze. Now, we suffer from over-population of deer and reduced shorebird and songbird species due to loss of feeding and habitat sites.

The world is a highly integrated, interdependent system -- and it must be approached that way in conservation.