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Our Human Interactions with the Non-Human Animals

Our Human Interactions with the Non-Human Animals. How Many Animals Do We Want to Save? The Many Ways of Setting Population Target Levels for Conservation ERIC W. SANDERSON November 2006 / Vol. 56 No. 11 BioScience 911. A population of a few individuals cannot survive. Extinction Vortex.

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Our Human Interactions with the Non-Human Animals

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  1. Our Human Interactions with the Non-Human Animals

  2. How Many Animals Do We Want to Save? The Many Ways of Setting Population Target Levels for Conservation ERIC W. SANDERSON November 2006 / Vol. 56 No. 11 BioScience 911

  3. A population of a few individuals cannot survive ExtinctionVortex

  4. Can a number of individuals be set?

  5. Can a number of individuals be set? Fewest number of individuals for an area, but fewest number for what?

  6. Can a number of individuals be set? • Extreme examples: • Ecotourism want the largest possible population • Mining or Agriculture would like none or somewhere else…NIMBY

  7. What are the consequences of setting the wrong number?

  8. What are the consequences of setting the wrong number? • Too high • Too low

  9. Can a number of individuals be set? • Scientists are reluctant to set a specific number • Policymakers want information from scientists

  10. What are the consequences of setting the wrong number? Subjective values meets objective science

  11. How many wolves should be in Yellowstone NP Yellowstone area wolf packs 2004 http://www.forwolves.org/ralph/historical.html

  12. How many tigers does the world need? None?

  13. What criteria do we use to set limits? • Money • Land • Development

  14. What criteria do we use to set limits? • Money • Land • Development • Who benefits? • Animals- what is the minimum number for sustainable survival

  15. What criteria do we use to set limits? • Money • Land • Development • Who benefits? • Animals- what is the minimum number for sustainable survival • Ecosystem- What is the minimum number to maintain a healthy ecosystem?

  16. What criteria do we use to set limits? • Money • Land • Development • Who benefits? • Animals- what is the minimum number for sustainable survival • Ecosystem- What is the minimum number to maintain a healthy ecosystem? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit?

  17. Who benefits? • Animals- what is the minimum number for sustainable survival? • Genetic Diversity

  18. Who benefits? • Ecosystem- What is the minimum number to maintain a healthy ecosystem? • Density may be more important than total number

  19. Who benefits? • Ecosystem- What is the minimum number to maintain a healthy ecosystem? • Density may be more important than total number • Manage population and monitor effects on ecosystem

  20. Who benefits? • Ecosystem- What is the minimum number to maintain a healthy ecosystem? • Density may be more important than total number • Manage population and monitor effects on ecosystem • Some species may be used to monitor health of overall ecosystem

  21. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos

  22. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos • Ecotourism/Tourism

  23. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos • Ecotourism/Tourism • Harvest sustainable population

  24. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos • Ecotourism/Tourism • Harvest sustainable population • Ecosystem benefits- seed dispersal, pollinators, nutrient recycling

  25. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos • Ecotourism/Tourism • Harvest sustainable population • Ecosystem benefits- seed dispersal, pollinators, nutrient recycling These functions cannot practically or economically be carried out by humans

  26. Who benefits? • Humans- How many do we need to derive some beneifit? • Total eradication may be goal- mosquitos • Ecotourism/Tourism • Harvest sustainable population • Ecosystem benefits • Cultural, Aesthetic, Spiritual

  27. How many animals do we want to save?

  28. How many animals do we want to save? Complex interactions of science, economics, and ethics.

  29. How many animals do we want to save? Complex interactions of science, economics, and ethics. If a number is set, it may stay static as conditions change.

  30. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution:

  31. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution: Minimum Viable Population- number of individuals that allows animals to exist free from human interference.

  32. How many animals do we want to save? Most of human history includes critical and profound interactions with other organisms. That is now diminished or gone.

  33. How many animals do we want to save? Most of human history includes critical and profound interactions with other organisms. That is now diminished or gone.

  34. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution- multilayered approach: Demographic sustainability

  35. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution- multilayered approach: Demographic Sustainability Ecological Functions (includes ability to freely evolve)

  36. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution- multilayered approach: Demographic Sustainability Ecological Functions Human Use and Interactions

  37. How many animals do we want to save? Sanderson’s proposed solution- multilayered approach: Demographic Sustainability Ecological Functions Human Use and Interactions Can we return animals to levels that existed before humans had a negative impact?

  38. Instead of a single number…A number for each level can be determined. How many animals do we want to save? Demographic Sustainability Ecological Functions Human Use and Interactions Can we return animals to levels that existed before humans had a negative impact?

  39. Maintaining a complex society required culture and language.

  40. The complexity of our societies is reflected in human culture… Do other animals have culture?

  41. Do other animals have culture? In rats http://salmon.psy.plym.ac.uk/year3/PSY339EvolutionaryPsychology/EvolutionaryPsychology.htm

  42. Do Animals Have Feelings?Antonio Damasio proposed (2003) Primary - instinctual Social - group interaction Feelings - self-reflection

  43. http://www.pbs.org/saf/1504/video/watchonline.htm

  44. Do Animals Have Feelings?Antonio Damasio proposed (2003) Primary - instinctual Social - group interaction Feelings - self-reflection

  45. Are non-human animals self-aware?The mirror test: developed by Gallup in 1980s

  46. Killer Whale time spent in front of window (C) vs mirror (M) Behavioural Processes Vol 53, #3, 26 April 2001, pg 181-190

  47. Killer Whale time spent shaking head in front of window (C) vs mirror (M) Behavioural Processes Vol 53, #3, 26 April 2001, pg 181-190

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