Chapter 17: Preserving Earth’s Biological Diversity

1. Chapter 17:Preserving Earth’s Biological Diversity

2. What is a species?

3. Related terms • Biological diversity: the # and variety of organisms. • Genetic diversity: variation within a species. • Species Diversity: the # of species • Ecosystem diversity: variation within an ecosystem.

4. I. How many Species are there? • 99.95 % of species that have existed are now extinct. • ~1.8 million species identified at present. • # may range from 5-100 million species, we don’t know. • 270,000 plant species • 45,000 vertebrate species • 950,000 insect species! • 10,000 new species identified each year.

5. Why bother conserving? • Why do we need all of of these species? • Can’t some be eliminated without any real consequences?

6. Ecosystem Services & Organisms II. Why we need organisms Salix babylonica • Aspirin • The discovery of aspirin dates back to the 5th century B.C., when Hippocrates used a powder from the bark of a willow tree to ease minor pains, reduce fevers and to help with childbirth. The willow tree powder was actually salicin, the pharmacological ancestor to the family of drugs known as salicy

7. A. Ecosystem Services & Organisms • Organisms provide essential ecosystem services. • Ex: Bacteria and Fungi are decomposers that cleanse and recycle nutrients within an ecosystem. • Forests recharge groundwater, hold soil, act as a Carbon sink.

8. Genetic Reserves Maintaining a broad genetic base is critical for long-term health and survival of a species.

9. Scientific Importance of Genetic Diversity

10. Medicinal, Agricultural, & Industrial Importance of Organisms

11. Aesthetic, Ethical, & Spiritual Importance of Organisms

12. Endangered & threatened Species • Extinction: the permanent loss of a species, therefore a permanent loss in species diversity. • There has always been low amounts of “background extinction.” Occasionally, there are mass extinctions. • Current rate of extinction is 100- 1,000 x the usual rate! • Endangered species have populations that are so low thatthey are in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of their range. • Threatened species have numbers that are quite low. Protected Species  Threatened species  endangered species  Extinct Species

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17. Endangered & threatened Species • Endangered & threatened species often have limited natural ranges & low population densities. • Endangered & threatened species may also have low reproductive rates or very specialized nutritional or reproductive requirements. • Many island species are Endangered species. • Habitat fragmentation: the break up of large areas of habitat into small, isolated patches (islands) is a major threat to the long-term survival of many species.

18. Species Preservation

19. Where are the greatest problems? • Tropical rain forests- Loss of 1 acre/sec. • “Hotspots”- Small areas that contain many species. • 43% of all endangered species need wetland habitat to live. • 60,000 acres of wetlands are destroyed in the US annually.

20. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Most human activities contribute to a reduction in biological diversity • Habitat Destruction and fragmentation are the major causes of the current decline in biological diversity. • This loss of habitat reduces a species biological range & ability to survive.

21. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Biotic pollution: the introduction of of a foreign species into an area where it is not native.

22. Introduction of Exotic Species • Humans have accidentally and/or intentionally imported organisms to areas where they have no natural enemies leading to the disruption of existing ecosystems. • Examples include the Japanese beetle and the Gypsy moth.

23. Introduction of Exotic Species • Examples: Zebra Mussels,

24. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Exotic Species may compete with native species for food or habitat (niche) or may actually prey upon the endemic species. (aka Invasive species such as purple loosestrife)

25. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Pollution, such as acid rain, pesticides, O3 depleting compounds, as well as climate warming atmospheric pollutants (CO2, CH4) contribute to the decline of species. • Major air pollutants include: carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulates. • Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide combine with water vapor creating acid rain problems.

26. Water Pollution • Major water pollutants include: heat, sewage, and chemicals such as phosphates, heavy metals, and PCB’s.

27. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Commercial harvest is the removal of live organisms from nature. Illegal commercial trade of rare animals & plants supplies a thriving black market, but regulated commercial harvest may sustain species from an economic standpoint.

28. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Uncontrolled hunting, trapping, and fishing still occur in many parts of the world. • The extinction of the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon resulted from such activities.

29. Human Causes of Species Endangerment The last known individual of the species, a female named Martha, died in 1914 in the Cincinnati Zoo and is now on display in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History.

30. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Overexploitation of species: the over hunting or harvesting of species without regard to their biotic potential.

31. Human Causes of Species Endangerment • Efforts to eradicate a pest species or predator. • Illegal commercial hunting has a great impact (especially on larger animals. (K selected)

32. Species Warning signs… • Bellwether species (Sentinel species or Indicator species) • Ex. Amphibiams

33. Conservation biology • The scientific study & protection of biological diversity. • In situ conservation addresses loss of diversity in nature. • Includes parks, sanctuaries, refuges, & other protected areas. • Restoration ecology attempt to restore a degraded area (derelict lands) by applying ecological principles. • Species population community ecosystembiome

34. Conservation biology • Ex situ conservation addresses loss of diversity in controlled settings & involve captive breeding programs & storing genetic material- “Conservation in a human controlled setting.” • (Zoos, Aquaria, botanical gardens, and seed banks are examples of Ex situ conservation.)

35. Species Preservation • Some efforts to sustain endangered species have included habitat protection (wildlife refuges and national parks) and wildlife management (game laws and fisheries). • Animals which were once endangered are now successfully reproducing and increasing their numbers. • Examples of endangered animals which are responding to conservation efforts and beginning to make a comeback are the bald eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus and the peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus.

36. Endangered Species Act • Law enacted in 1973 • Protects endangered and threatened species in the USA. • Legal protection for about 1,200 species. • Requires an “action plan” for recovery • Has resulted in some economic distress

37. Species Preservation • The peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus.

38. Species Preservation http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/wildlife/pages/falconindex.htm

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47. Wildlife Management • An applied field of conservation biology that focuses on the continued productivity of plants & animals. • Involves the regulation of hunting & fishing & the management of food, water, & other habitat components. • One species which is a major problem in the Artic is the snow goose- Very adaptable!

48. Conservation organizations • Various organizations help to educate policy makers and the public about the importance of biological diversity. Organizations also take direct action in addressing the problem. • Sierra Club • W.W.F. • EarthFirst! • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service • Greenpeace

49. Policies & Laws • There are laws which regulate and guide the use of natural habitats. • Ex: SEQR- State Environmental Quality Review Act • A New York State law designed to provide the opportunity for citizen review and comment of the environmental impact of any proposed development that has been determined to have significant effect on the environment.

50. What can we do about declining biological diversity? • Increase Public Awareness • The general public & lawmakers must become more aware of the importance of our biological heritage.