Conservation of Biodiversity What causes biodiversity decline? Describe methods for monitoring & protecting species Understand why connectedness is important in protecting species • Identify services that species offer to ecosystems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7G2rQARCC8

How many species are there? Estimates vary widely 3-10 million Latest scientist estimate is around 6.8 million Nearly 1/3 of all species are threatened

Categories of Endangerment Extinct- no longer exist Threatened- species with a high risk of extinction in the future Endangered- seriously at risk of extinction Least concerned- no serious threat, abundant

Why are Amphibians more threatened? Live in all of the biosphere, land, water & air Sensitive skin Eggs are clear so toxins can easily enter Thin Green Line short video

Extinctions 5 mass extinctions on Earth Two largest Permian Extinction 248 million YA Cretaceous Extinction 65 million YA 21% are threatened due to reduced habitat, rising sea levels Since 1500 133 bird species are extinct. 1/3 of U.S. Pop. is declining Of 5,500 mammal species since 1500 79 are extinct.

Causes of Extinction Hunting Food Medicine Poaching-illegal hunting Export/import of non-native species Destruction of habitat-deforestation

Habitat Loss Video Sage Brush For most species the greatest cause of decline and extinction is habitat loss. 50% of grasslands 30% of deserts from 1998-2004 wetlands increased. But not to the level of the 1600’s https://nj.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/nat15.sci.lisci.hisage/human-impact-in-the-sagebrush-sea/#.WTfl_H1rWAo

Change in Forest Cover

Invasive/Introduces Species Alien species (exotic species)- species that live outside their historical range. Invasive species- when alien species spread rapidly across large areas. Ex- Kudzu Vine, Zebra Mussel, Silver Carp, Snakehead fish. Burmese python Due to global trade, travel, illegal trade Ship bilge water –plants, fish shellfish

Keystone species

Keystone Species A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Without keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or not exist. Let’s look at some examples

Pollution Threats to biodiversity can come from toxic contaminants Pesticides heavy metals acid rain oil spills.

Climate Change Concern how climate change will affect temperature and precipitation around the world, and how this will impact biodiversity. Sea level changes, plant growth, migration to climates that are better suited

Overharvesting When individuals of a species are removed at a rate faster than the population can replace them. American bison 60-75 million by late 1800’s less than 1,000, now 50,000. Bison skulls Dodo bird

Endangered Species Act Endangered Species Act- first passed in 1973, it authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list species as threatened or endangered & prohibits harming these species. Trading these species is also illegal. also authorizes the government to purchase habitat that is critical to the species. Video Wolves http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/609/

Habitat Fragmentation When designing and managing protected areas a number of factors must be considered how close to another area they should be, how large the area is, the amount of edge habitat the area contains, & connectedness Edge habitat- the area where two different communities come together, typically forming an transition. Would there be more or less biodiversity in an edge habitat?

Fragmentation of Habitat

Habitat Corridors