7 Biodiversity and Conservation CHAPTER

Saving the Siberian Tiger Siberian tigers are one of five remaining tiger subspecies. In the early 20th century, hunting and habitat loss reduced the wild population to just 20–30 animals. Conservation efforts have helped the wild population rebound to 450–500 today. Siberian tigers are one of five remaining tiger subspecies. In the early 20th century, hunting and habitat loss reduced the wild population to just 20–30 animals. Conservation efforts have helped the wild population rebound to 450–500 today. Talk About It What are the benefits of wildlife conservation? Are there drawbacks?

Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life There are more known species of insects than any other form of life. Among known insect species, 4% are beetles.

Biodiversity Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization Includes three types: Genetic diversity: Differences in DNA among individuals (Different genes for coat thickness) Species diversity: Variety of species in a given area Ecosystem diversity: Variety of habitats, ecosystems, communities (coastal ecosystems vs. farmland) Describes the variety of life across all levels of ecological organization Includes three types: Genetic diversity: Differences in DNA among individuals (Different genes for coat thickness) Species diversity: Variety of species in a given area Ecosystem diversity: Variety of habitats, ecosystems, communities (coastal ecosystems vs. farmland) Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Genetic DiversitySpecies Diversity Ecosystem Diversity

Biodiversity Distribution 5 & 30 million species on Earth. Species can be difficult to find & identify. not evenly distributed globally, among taxonomic groups, or within a given geographic area. 5 & 30 million species on Earth. Species can be difficult to find & identify. not evenly distributed globally, among taxonomic groups, or within a given geographic area. Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Orangutan in an Indonesian rain forest Did You Know? In general, biodiversity increases toward the equator.

Classification Taxonomists- classify species based on physical appearance & genetic makeup. hierarchy of taxonomic groups: Species Genus Family Order Class Phylum Kingdom Domain Taxonomic groups- reflect evolutionary relationships among species. Below the species level, organisms fall into subspecies— populations with genetically based characteristics that differ area to area. Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life

Subspecies Example Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).

Ecosystem Services Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient. Resistant: Resist environmental change without losing function Resilient: Affected by change, but bounce back and regain function Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Stable ecosystems are resistant and resilient. Resistant: Resist environmental change without losing function Resilient: Affected by change, but bounce back and regain function Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Wetlands in Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Loxahatchee, Florida

Other Benefits of Biodiversity Lesson 7.1 Our Planet of Life Agriculture: Wild strains cross- bred with related crops to transfer beneficial traits. Medicine: Organisms contain compounds that are useful for treating disease. Ecotourism: Environmentally responsible tourism source of income for many nations. Did You Know? Of the 150 most prescribed drugs in the United States, 118 originated in nature. The yew tree, an original source of Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug

Benefits of BiodiversityBiodiversity Benefits of BiodiversityBiodiversity Ecotourism: tourisms that supports conservation Wildlife, birding, wilderness hiking People make $ by having people view wildlife

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Biodiversity losses caused by humans are common in our history. Hunting and forest cutting drove the passenger pigeon—once North America’s most numerous bird—into extinction.

Natural Biodiversity Loss Background extinctions: Naturally occurring extinctions, occurring one species at a time five mass extinctions in Earth’s history. Extirpation-disappearance of a particular population from a given area Background extinctions: Naturally occurring extinctions, occurring one species at a time five mass extinctions in Earth’s history. Extirpation-disappearance of a particular population from a given area Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Dinosaur extinctions were part of a mass extinction.

Extinctions Species gone forever NORMAL Mass Extinction: short period of time when large number of species go extinct (65 MYA) Currently in mass extinction…caused by humans Rapid climate change Species gone forever NORMAL Mass Extinction: short period of time when large number of species go extinct (65 MYA) Currently in mass extinction…caused by humans Rapid climate change

Biodiversity at Risk In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of extinction Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range Living Planet Index: Summarizes global population trends for certain terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species In 2009, 1321 species in the U.S. were classified as endangered or threatened. Endangered: At serious risk of extinction Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon through all or part of its range Living Planet Index: Summarizes global population trends for certain terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Giant panda, an endangered species Did You Know? The Living Planet Index fell nearly 30% between 1970 and 2005.

Extinctions Certain traits make some species more vulnerable: Small populations Specialized Need large range Migration Valuable to humans

Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Habitat change and loss Invasive species Pollution Overharvesting Habitat change and loss Invasive species Pollution Overharvesting Siberian tiger Causes of Biodiversity Loss

How do humans cause extinctions?  “HIPPO”  Habitat destruction  Invasive species  Population (humans) growth  Pollution  Overharvesting  “HIPPO”  Habitat destruction  Invasive species  Population (humans) growth  Pollution  Overharvesting

Habitat Change and Loss Greatest cause of biodiversity loss Organisms, adapted to their habitat, decline in population when the habitat changes. Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments. Greatest cause of biodiversity loss Organisms, adapted to their habitat, decline in population when the habitat changes. Habitat fragmentation: Patches of suitable habitat surrounded by unsuitable habitat larger habitat fragments can support greater biodiversity than smaller fragments. Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Did You Know? Habitat change or destruction is the primary cause of population decline in more than 80% of threatened birds and mammals.

Habitat Loss/Fragmentation (GSP)

Species squeezed into smaller and smaller fragmented habitat

Humans Causing Extinction Over-harvesting excessive hunting (bison in U.S., fish) Poaching: illegal hunting Common in poor countries for food, medicines, income Pollution air, water, land Over-harvesting excessive hunting (bison in U.S., fish) Poaching: illegal hunting Common in poor countries for food, medicines, income Pollution air, water, land

Invasive Species Invasive species can out-compete and displace native species.

Pollution and Overharvesting Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Harmful chemicals and materials make their way into habitats can poison people and wildlife. species can be driven toward extinction by hunting or overharvesting by humans. Examples include Siberian tigers and passenger pigeons. Once common in North America, the passenger pigeon is now extinct.

Climate Change Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss climate change will have a potentially global effect on biodiversity. Increasingly becoming a factor in biodiversity loss climate change will have a potentially global effect on biodiversity. Lesson 7.2 Extinction and Biodiversity Loss Did You Know? Scientists predict that a 1.5–2.5  C global temperature increase could put 20–30% of plant and animal species at increased risk of extinction.

Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Just 2.3% of the planet’s land surface is home to 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of its vertebrate animal species.

Single-Species Approaches to Conservation Captive breeding programs: Raising & breeding organisms controlled conditions- zoos/aquariums Species Survival Plan: Program save individual species, includes captive breeding, education, and research Cloning: Inserting DNA from endangered species into a cultured egg cell; process involves implanting eggs into mothers of closely related species Captive breeding programs: Raising & breeding organisms controlled conditions- zoos/aquariums Species Survival Plan: Program save individual species, includes captive breeding, education, and research Cloning: Inserting DNA from endangered species into a cultured egg cell; process involves implanting eggs into mothers of closely related species Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Did You Know? The Species Survival Plan for the golden lion tamarin started with only 91 individuals. As of 2007, there were nearly 500 tamarins in zoos, and 150 reintroduced into the wild. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

Saving Individual Species Does little to preserve species Captive individuals may not survive in wild Small populations have difficult time with inbreeding, diseases Last resorts Does little to preserve species Captive individuals may not survive in wild Small populations have difficult time with inbreeding, diseases Last resorts

Preserving Habitat and Ecosystems Most effective way to save a species is protect its habitat. Some species require large areas What about when they leave protected areas? (Wolves in Yellowstone) Yellowstone Most effective way to save a species is protect its habitat. Some species require large areas What about when they leave protected areas? (Wolves in Yellowstone) Yellowstone

Legal Protections Many countries have laws to protect wildlife Some weak some strong

International Cooperation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975): Bans international trade in body parts of endangered species. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): International treaty to conserve biodiversity and ensure its responsible use and distribution(not enforced by U.s Law) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975): Bans international trade in body parts of endangered species. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): International treaty to conserve biodiversity and ensure its responsible use and distribution(not enforced by U.s Law) Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Ivory products, made from elephant tusks

Internationally Much more difficult among may poorer countries International treaties hard to ratify, verify Oceans of particular concern m/tv/whale-wars/ m/tv/whale-wars/ Much more difficult among may poorer countries International treaties hard to ratify, verify Oceans of particular concern m/tv/whale-wars/ m/tv/whale-wars/

The Endangered Species Act Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity U.S. law that protects biodiversity, passed in 1973 Has three major parts: Forbids governments and citizens from harming listed species and habitats Forbids trade in products made from listed species Requires U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain official list of endangered and threatened species, and to develop recovery plan for each listed species Did You Know? In part because of the Endangered Species Act, 40% of populations that were once declining in the U.S. are now stable.

ESA List created of those threatened and endangered Currently 1,300+ listed Pros and cons : Northern Spotted Owl –Pacific northwest protected large areas of old-growth forests. Decline in timber harvesting  loggers lost jobs List created of those threatened and endangered Currently 1,300+ listed Pros and cons : Northern Spotted Owl –Pacific northwest protected large areas of old-growth forests. Decline in timber harvesting  loggers lost jobs

ESA ESA: : 92 to 1,300+ species listed 37 Species removed (14 recovery, 8 extinctions, rest discovered more) 60% plants, 40% animals TNC says 1/3 rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260 ESA: : 92 to 1,300+ species listed 37 Species removed (14 recovery, 8 extinctions, rest discovered more) 60% plants, 40% animals TNC says 1/3 rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260 NJ ESA List us/dep/fgw/tandesp p.htm

Areas of Critical Biodiversity Hotspots: areas threatened that contain high biodiversity Roughly 25 worldwide Madagascar Parts of California Endemic- Species are endemic to an area if it is found no where else in the world. Hotspots: areas threatened that contain high biodiversity Roughly 25 worldwide Madagascar Parts of California Endemic- Species are endemic to an area if it is found no where else in the world.

Hotspots Large numbers of endemic species: species native to that area

Biodiversity Hotspots “hotspot approach” focuses attention on areas where the greatest number of species can be protected with the least effort. Hotspots have: At least 1500 plant species found nowhere else in the world Already lost 70% of their habitat as a result of human activity 34 biodiversity hotspots are home to 50% of Earth’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species. “hotspot approach” focuses attention on areas where the greatest number of species can be protected with the least effort. Hotspots have: At least 1500 plant species found nowhere else in the world Already lost 70% of their habitat as a result of human activity 34 biodiversity hotspots are home to 50% of Earth’s plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrate species. Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity Northern Pintail ducks, Honshu, Japan Japan is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

US Hotspots

Wildlife Corridors Connect habitat fragments enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity. Conservation biologists hope that a planned 250-km long corridor in Australia will enable the endangered southern cassowary to recover from population declines. Connect habitat fragments enabling once-isolated populations to interbreed Interbreeding increases genetic diversity. Conservation biologists hope that a planned 250-km long corridor in Australia will enable the endangered southern cassowary to recover from population declines. Lesson 7.3 Protecting Biodiversity