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Conservation biology impact of tsunami examined at conference in Brazil Annual Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology July 25, 2005 Below two tsunami-related papers submitted for the conference. All descriptions are excepts from the official "Book of Abstracts" from the meeting. More abstracts. BROOKS, THOMAS; Brandon, Katrina; Fonseca, Gustavo; Gascon, Claude; Lacher, Tom; Mittermeier, Russell A.; Supriatna, Jatna. Conservation International, 1919 M St NW, Washington DC 20036, USA, t.brooks((AT))conservation.org (TB, KB, GF, CG, TL, RM); Conservation International, Jalan Pejaten Barat 16A, Kemang, Jakarta 12550, Indonesia (JS). On 26 December 2004, an enormous earthquake in Indonesia triggered a tsunami that devastated the Indian Ocean nations and killed 200,000 people. Attention has rightly focused on the immediate humanitarian disaster, but as the efforts to stem the crisis gain momentum, it is important to examine its broader implications. Here, we analyze the impacts of the tsunami on biodiversity, and of biodiversity on the tsunami. Tectonic impacts on biodiversity are generally low, and few animals were killed by the great wave, warned, maybe, by ability to hear infrasound. However, the tsunami stressed the region's already-damaged ecosystems: we examine the conservation priority of the areas affected and find that six biodiversity hotspots were directly impacted. Moreover, the tsunami destroyed much conservat ion infrastructure and killed a number of conservation professionals. The flip side of these impacts is the role of the biodiversity conservation in ameliorating the tsunami's effects. Review of existing experimental and observational data, and assessment of eyewitness and remotely sensed information suggests that reefs, mangroves, and lowland forests and hydrology played an important role in reducing tsunami damage. We suggest that biodiversity conservation is an effective tool for reducing the impact of future disasters on human lives and livelihoods TSUNAMI IMPACT ON THE YALA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA. PASTORINI, JENNIFER; Wikramanayake, Eric; Weerakoon, Devaka K.; Janaka, H.K.; Gunawardena, Manori D.; Jayasinghe, L.K.A.; Fernando, Prithiviraj. Centre for Conservation and Research, 35 Gunasekara Gardens, Nawala Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka (JP, EDW, DKW, HKJ, MDG, LKAJ, PF), jenny((AT))aim.unizh.ch. Conservation Science Program, WorldWildlife Fund - United States, 1250 Twenty-Fourth St. NW, Washington D.C. 20037, USA (EDW). Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka (DKW). Wildlife Trust Alliance, Palisades NY 10964, USA (PF). The tsunamis that impacted the shores of Sri Lanka and other Asian countries on the 26th of December 2004 represented a catastrophic environmental event. Such major flooding by salt water is a natural phenomenon that may shape eco-systems and occur with a periodicity of a few hundred years. We assessed the environmental impacts of the tsunamis on the Yala National Park in southeast Sri Lanka. The effected area was first identified using maps and ground surveys. As parts of the coastline were protected by coastal sand dunes sea incursion occurred only in some areas. A transect was conducted along the centre of each affected area, perpendicular to the sea-shore, and data collected every 100 meters. We assessed sand deposition, damage to grasses, herbs, bushes and trees. Trees were divided into 16 categories representing different sizes (trunk diameter) and degrees of damage. Effects on the eco-system could be divided into two main categories - physical effects from the force of the waves and physiological effects from flooding by salt water. Tree damage was co-related to size and distance from the beach, and provided an indirect measure of wave force Society for Conservation Biology - Brasilia 2005 News index | RSS | News Feed Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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