Biodiversity

BIODIVERSITY Includes a variety of factors Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Species Richness - Total number of species in a community. Diversity vs. abundance Ecological Diversity

Factors That Increase Biodiversity Diverse habitat Moderate environmental disturbance Small variations in environmental conditions Middle stages of succession Evolution

Factors That Decrease Biodiversity Environmental Stress Large environmental disturbance Extreme environmental conditions Introduction of alien species Geographic isolation Severe limitation of essential resources

How Many Species Are There ? Currently 1.7 million species identified. Estimates range between 3-50 million. May be 30 million insect species. Invertebrates make up 70% of all known species Tropical rainforests and coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots. NA and Europe only contain 10-15%.

Biodiversity Hotspots

BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY Food As many as 80,000 edible wild plant species Drugs and Medicines > ½ of all prescriptions contain some natural product.

Benefits of Biodiversity Ecological Benefits Soil formation, waste disposal, air and water purification, nutrient cycling, solar energy absorption, pollination, control of pest species, etc. Aesthetic and Cultural Benefits USFWS estimates Americans spend $104 billion annually on wildlife-related recreation. Ecotourism Intrinsic value

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY Extinction Natural causes vs. Man-made Habitat Destruction Biggest reason for current increase in extinction Northern Spotted Owl

Habitat Fragmentation Northwestern US and Canada

Human-Caused Reductions in Biodiversity Alien Species Thrive in new territories free of: have adaptations to deter predators diseases resource limitations that limited them in original habitat.

Human-Caused Reductions in Biodiversity Pollution Pesticides Lead Population Resource Use Overharvesting

Human-Caused Reductions in Biodiversity Commercial Products and Live Specimens Wildlife smuggling is very profitable. Leopard fur / Rhinoceros horns U.S. Annual pet trade in wild species: 2 million reptiles 1 million amphibians and mammals 500,000 birds 128,000,000 tropical fish

Human-Caused Reductions in Biodiversity

Human-Caused Reductions in Biodiversity Predator and Pest Control Animal control costs $20 million in federal and state funds annually. 700,000 birds and mammals annually.

Solutions to Protecting Wild Species Endangered Species Act-1973 Conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found Endangered Threatened

Endangered Species Act Regulates the following activities involving endangered species: Taking (harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, killing, capturing, or collecting) either accidentally, or on purpose. Selling Importing into or exporting out of the U.S. Possessing Transporting or Shipping

Endangered Species Act Currently, U.S. has 1,300 species on its Endangered and Threatened lists, and about 250 candidate species waiting for consideration. Number reflects more about human interests than actual status. Invertebrates make up 75% of all species, but only 9% of T/E list. Listing process is extremely slow.

Recovery Plans Once listed, USFWS proposes a recovery plan Total cost of all current plans = $5 billion. Some have been very successful. Opponents have continually tried to require economic costs and benefits be incorporated into planning.

Solutions to Protecting Wild Species International treaties Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Bans hunting, capturing and selling of endangered and threatened species Egg pulling Captive breeding Wildlife Management Population management plans Saving critical habitat especially for migratory species