Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

1. Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

2. Extinction Background extinction- continuous, low level of extinction of species that has happened since life began 3.56 billion years ago Mass extinction � extinction of many species in a relatively short period of geological time Extinction Rate: Percentage or number of species that go extinct within a certain time period such as a year

3. Three Types of Biological Extinction Local extinction occurs when a species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world � losses of one or more populations of species Ecological extinction occurs when so few members of a species are left that it can no longer play its ecological roles in the biological communities where it is found Biological extinction � a species is no longer found anywhere on the earth � forever and represents an irreversible loss of natural capital

5. Reasons for Extinction Both the rate of species loss and the extent of biodiversity loss are likely to increase during the next 50-100 years because of the projected growth of the world�s human population and resource use per person Current and projected extinction rates are much higher than the global average in parts of the world that are highly endangered centers of biodiversity We are eliminating, degrading, fragmenting, and simplifying many biologically diverse environments- such as tropical forests, tropical corral reefs, wetlands, and estuaries � that serve as potential colonization sites for the emergence of new species We may be limiting the long-term recovery of biodiversity by reducing the rate of speciation for some species

7. Before extinction . . . Endangered Endangered species has so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range (the area in which it is normally found) These species may soon disappear from the earth

8. Before Endangered . . . Threatened Theses species are still abundant in its natural range, but because of declining numbers, they are likely to become endangered in the near future International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (World Conservation Union) publish the annual RED List � the world standard for listing the world�s threatened species

10. What makes a species Vulnerable �The first animal species to go are the big, the slow, the tasty, and those with valuable parts such as tusks and skins,� biodiversity expert Edward O. Wilson Behavioral Characteristics that make them prone to extinction Easy to kill (flocks of birds), Key deer (nicotine addicts) prone to humans and cars due to them walking highways for cigarette butts

12. Why prevent Premature Extinction We should prevent the premature extinction of wild species because of the economic and ecological services they provide They have a right to exist regardless of their usefulness to us

14. Instrumental Value The usefulness of a species to us in providing many of the ecological and economic services that make up the earth�s natural capital It takes two values, one is use value, which benefit us in the form of economic goods and services, ecological services, recreation, scientific information, and the continuation of such uses for future generations

16. Instrumental Value Species diversity also provides economic benefits from wildlife tourism, or ecotourism Genetic information that allows species to adapt to changing environmental conditions through evolution One of the tragedies of the current extinction crisis is that we do not know what we are losing, because no one has ever seen or named many of the species that are becoming extinct

17. Instrumental Value The other major form of instrumental value is nonuse values Existence value � the satisfaction of knowing that a redwood forest, a wilderness, orangutans exist Aesthetic value � appreciation for its beauty Bequest value � the fact that people will pay to protect some forms of natural capital for use by future generations Ecological Value � it is a vital component of the key ecosystem functions of energy flow, nutrient cycling, and population control

19. Science, Elephants, Poaching 400,000 elephants remaining in the wild 1989 an international treaty instituted a ban on the trading of ivory It reduced but did not stop the poaching 2004, sharp rise due to China�s high prices for ivory 2007, scientists began developing a DNA-based map of elephant populations that allows them to use DNA analysis of seized illegal ivory to determine where the elephants were killed Elephant populations have exploded to the point that some countries are considering (culling � killing) enough elephant each year to stop the destruction the overpopulation is causing, they would sell the ivory to help in conservation efforts

20. Intrinsic Value Some scientists believe that each wild species has intrinsic or existence value based on its inherent right to exist and play its ecological roles, regardless of its usefulness to us We have an ethical responsibility to protect species from becoming prematurely extinct as a result of human activities and to prevent the degradation of the world�s ecosystems and its overall biodiversity We have an ethical obligation to control our resource consumption to help protect all species

21. Biophilia Billions of years of biological connections leading to the evolution of the human species, we have an inherent genetic kinship with the natural world Phenomenon � love of life People want to live where they can see water and forests, we love parks, wildlife, hiking, camping, the outdoors

22. Bats Important ecological roles Insect eaters: crop-damaging and mosquitoes Pollinating flowers Distribution of plants through undigested seeds Fear of bats leads dislike � of the world�s bat population listed on endangered species list

23. HIPPCO Conservation biologist summarize the most important causes of premature extinction using the acronym HIPPCO: Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation; Invasive (nonnative) species; Population and resource use growth (too many people consuming too many resources); Pollution; Climate change; and Overexploitation

25. Habitat Destruction Deforestation in tropical areas is the greatest eliminator of species, followed by the destruction and degradation of coral reefs and wetlands, plowing of grasslands, and pollution of streams, lakes, and oceans.

26. Temperate Biomes Have been affected more by habitat loss and degradation than have tropical biomes because of widespread economic development in temperate countries over the past 200 years

27. Island Species Many them are endemic species found nowhere else on earth US Hawaii islands are America�s �extinction capital� 63% of its species at risk

28. Habitat Fragmentation By roads, logging, agriculture, and urban development Occurs when contiguous area of habitat is reduced in area and divided into smaller, more scattered, and isolated patches, or habitat islands Can decrease tree populations in forest, block migration routes, and divide populations of species into smaller and more isolated groups that are more vulnerable to predators, competitor species, disease and catastrophic events

30. Fragmentation Creates barriers that limit the abilities of some species to disperse and colonize new areas, to get enough to eat, and to find mates

31. Birds 70% of the world�s nearly 10,000 know bird species are declining in numbers, and roughly one of every eight (12%) of these bird species is threatened with extinction, mostly because of habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation Intentional or accidental introduction of nonnative species such as cats, rats, snakes and mongooses

32. More reasons for extinction Seabirds get caught in fishing lines and drown Migrating birds get caught in power lines, communication towers and skyscrappers Climate Change for wetland, mountain, Arctic

34. Reasons to Worry Birds are environmental indicators Perform a number of important economic and ecological services in ecosystems throughout the world Play a key role in pollination and seed dispersal

35. Nonnative Species Most species introductions are beneficial to us, but they often displace native species Introduced species such as corn, wheat, rice, and other food crops, and cattle, poultry, and other livestock provide more than 98% of the U.S. food supply Some nonnative species have no competitors, predators, parasites, or pathogens to help control their numbers

36. Nonnative Species These species can reduce or wipe out populations of many native species, trigger ecological disruptions, cause human health problems, and lead to economic losses Kudzu (plant) was introduced to control soil erosion (engulfs hillsides, gardens, trees) European Wild Boar (no way to stop them) Feral cats and abandoned cats breed in wild (know for killing 568 million birds per year)

38. Accidentally Introduced Species Hitch hikers from global trade, travel and tourism Argentina fire ant accidentally introduced in Mobile, Alabama (Wipe out 90% of native ant populations) Invade fields and yards, kill deer fawns, birds, livestock, pets, and at least 80 people who were allergic to their venom Burmese python snake came from Southeast Asia as a pet is increasing but people no longer want them when they get to big dumped into the Everglades 2100 could be found in most of the southern half of the US

40. Ways to Prevent Fund massive research program to identify the major characteristics of successful invader species and the types of ecosystems that are vulnerable to invaders Greatly increase ground surveys and satellite observations to detect and monitor species invasions and develop better models for predicting how they will spread Set up inspection of imported goods and goods carried by travelers that are likely to contain invader species

41. Ways to Prevent Identify major harmful invader species and establish international treaties banning their transfer from one country to another, as is now done for endangered species Require cargo ships to discharge their ballast water and replace it with saltwater at sea before entering ports, or require them to sterilize such water or pump nitrogen into the water to displace dissolved oxygen and kill most invader organisms Increase research to find and introduce natural predators, parasites, bacteria, and viruses to control populations of established invaders

44. Population Growth and Overconsumption Human population growth and excessive and wasteful consumption of resources have greatly expanded the human ecological footprint Eliminated vast areas of wildlife habitat These factors have caused premature extinction of many species

45. Pollution Threatens some species with extinction U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, each year pesticides kill about one-fifth of the beneficial honeybee colonies in United States More than 67 million birds and 6-14 million fish Threaten about one-fifth of the country�s endangered and threatened species

46. Climate Change Conservation International predicted that climate changed caused mostly by global warming could drive more than a quarter of all land animals and plants to extinction by the end of this century Polar bears and 10 of the world�s 17 species of penguin as already threatened due to the loss of ice in polar habitats by higher temperatures

47. Honeybees Are on the decline due to pesticides, parasitic mites, and African honeybees (killer bees) Honeybees pollinate 110 commercially grown crops that are vital to the U.S. agriculture including up to 1/3 of fruit and vegetable crops Bee colony collapse disorder occurs when worker bees vanish without a trace and abandon their queen 2.4 million honeybee colonies have been lost in U.S. Declines around the world have been reported Bee colony disorder could lead to agricultural collapse disorder

49. Polar Bears World�s 20,000-25,000 polar bears are found in 19 populations distributed across the frozen Arctic Bears use the ice in the winter to hunt and eat seal to store fat for the spring and summer months when the ice melts Each year the ice melts earlier leaving less and less time for the bears to hunt seal and store fat to survive

50. Polar Bears They must fast longer, leaving them weak and unable to reproduce and care for their young As polar bears grow hungrier, they may enter human settlements for food, drown in search of food from swimming to far, or starve to death searching for food on dry land because of loss of ice Another threat is a build up of toxic PCBs, DDT and other pesticide in fatty tissue Poachers are another threat to Polar Bears Polar Bears were added to the RED list of endangered species 2008 U.S. government listed the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act

52. Poaching Poaching endangers many larger animals and some rare plants Rapidly growing wildlife smuggling is a high-profit, low risk business because few of the smugglers are caught or punished At least 2/3 of all live animals smuggled around the world die in transit Pet trade is another cause of wild species loss

54. Poaching of Animals Live mountain gorilla = $150,000 Giant Panda Pelt = $ 100,000 A chimpanzee = $ 50,000 An Imperial Amazon Macaw = $30,000 Poached rhinoceros horn = $ 25,000 per pound

55. Jane Goodall Primotologist and anthropologist spent 45 studying chimpanzee social and family life 1977, established the Jane Goodall institute which works to protect chimpanzee�s and their habitats Travels the world educating the world about chimpanzee�s and the need to protect their environment Written 23 books and produced 14 films about the lives and importance of chimpanzees

56. Tigers In 1900, 100,000 tigers roamed free in the world, now 3,500 remain free Loss of habitat due to forestation and fragmentation All 5 tiger subspecies are endangered in the wild Tigers are threatened because of their coats Few if any tigers may be left in the wild in 20 years

57. Bush Meat Indigenous people in much of West and Central Africa have sustainable hunted wildlife for bush meat, a source of food, for centuries In the last two decades, bush meat hunting is skyrocketed due to population growth and seeking to make a living by providing restaurants with exotic meat Led to the local extinction of many wild animals in parts of West Africa

58. Reducing Animal Populations Bush meat hunting reduces the populations of gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee, elephant, and hippopotamus populations Threatens forest carnivores such as crowned eagles and leopards, by depleting their main prey species Butchering and eating some forms of bush meat has helped spread the disease of HIV/AIDS and Ebola virus to humans

59. Protecting Wildlife 1975, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) signed by 172 countries, bans hunting, capturing, and selling of threatened or endangered species. CITES has helped reduce international trade in many threatened animals including elephants, crocodiles, cheetahs, and chimpanzees Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ratified by 190 countries, (but not U.S.), legally commits participating governments to reversing the global decline of biodiversity and to equitably sharing the benefits from use of the world�s genetic resources (Landmark in International Law because it focuses on ecosystems not individual species)

60. U.S. Endangered Species Act 1973 was designed to identify and protect endangered species in the United States and abroad (amended in 1982, 1985, and 1988) Act is probably the most far-reaching environmental law ever adopted by any nation (controversial) ESA, National Marine Fisheries Service responsible for listing endangered or threatened ocean species ESA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services list all other endangered and threatened species

61. Endangered Species Act The ESA makes it illegal for Americans to sell or buy any product made from an endangered or threatened species or to hunt, kill, collect, or injure such species in the United States ESA requires all commercial shipments of wildlife and wildlife products enter or leave the country through one of nine designated ports 1982, ESA was amended to give private landowners economic incentives to help save endangered species living on their lands

62. ESA continued Habitat conservation plan � landowner, developer, or logger is allowed to destroy some critical habitat in exchange for taking steps to protect members of the species Some believe the ESA should be weakened or repealed, and others believe it should be strengthened and modified to focus on protecting ecosystems People against the act believe it puts the rights and welfare of endangered plants and animals above those people, economic loss by hindering the development on private lands

63. Wildlife Refuge More than � of the refuges serve as wetland sanctuaries vital for protecting migratory waterfowl 1/5 of U.S. endangered and threatened species have habitats in the refuge system Conservation biologists urge state legislature to allow abandoned military lands that contain significant wildlife habitat to become national or state wildlife refuges

64. Gene Banks Preserve genetic information and endangered plant species by storing their seeds in refrigerated, low-humidity environments Banks are expensive to operate and can be destroyed by fires and other mishaps

65. Botanical Gardens Contain living plants representing almost 1/3 of the world�s known plant species Contain only 3% of the world�s rare and threatened plant species Have too little space and funding to preserve most of those species

66. Wildlife Farms Are for commercial sale Farms in Florida raise alligators for their meat and hides Butterfly farms flourish in Papua New Guinea, where many butterfly species are threatened by development activities

67. Zoos and Aquariums Being used to preserve some individuals of critically endangered animal species, with the long-term goal of reintroducing the species into protected wild habitats Preserving through egg pulling, captive breeding, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, incubators Goal of captive breeding is to build up the population to be introduced back to wild

68. Aquariums Exhibit unusual and attractive fish and some marine animals such as seals and dolphins help to educate the public about the need to protect such species Limited funds make it hard for public aquariums to serve as gene banks especially marine mammals that need large volumes of water