Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14th Edition Modified by Mr. Manskopf Chapter 12

Edward Abbey …the love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of the loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need-if only we had eyes to see. Original sin, the true original sin, is the blind destruction for the sake of greed of this natural paradise which lies around us…

Chapter 12 Key Concepts Human effects on extinction rates Understanding biodiversity and extinction How human activities endanger wildlife Preventing extinction

How does a species go from having billions to extinct in just one century…The Passenger Pigeon Story. Extinct in the wild since 1900 and last died in the Cincinnati Zoo 1914.

Section 1 Key Ideas What are the 3 types of extinctions? What are endangered and threatened species? How do biologists estimate the number of extinctions? How are humans impacting extinction rates?

Species Extinction Local extinction: species no longer found in a Specific location. Ecological extinction: when so few are located they no longer play a role in a ecosystem. Biological extinction: when species no longer exists anywhere. GONE FOREVER!

Endangered and Threatened Species Endangered species: has so few individuals it may soon be extinct. Threatened (vulnerable) species: declining numbers mean it may soon become endangered. Certain characteristics make some species more vulnerable…big, slow, tasty or have valuable parts (ie. Tusks) Florida manatee Northern spotted owl (threatened) Gray wolf Florida panther Bannerman's turaco (Africa)

TNC estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U. S TNC estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U.S. animal and plant species are vulnerable. 30,000 of the world’s species and 1,200 in U.S. are officially endangered.

Characteristics that make a species prone to extinction.

Percent of various types of species endangered.

How do biologists estimate extinctions 99.9% of all species that ever existed are extinct. Extinctions are “normal” What is happening for last few centuries not “normal”… mass extinction.

Extinction Rates Background (natural) rate of extinction Mass extinction Extinction spasm Fig. 5-9 p. 96

How do biologists estimate extinctions Hard to figure out (extinctions take long time…) ID only 1.4-1.8 million of 5-100 million species Truth: we don’t know how many species are becoming extinct. SPECIES AREA = 90% loss of habitat = 50% loss of species

Problems Estimating Extinction Rates Extinction not easily documented over time Many species remain unidentified Little is known about most identified species

Estimating Extinction Rates: Look up for homework page 228 Species-area relationships Population viability analysis (PVA) Minimum viable population (MVP) Minimum dynamic area (MDA)

How are humans affecting extinction rates? Biologists estimate that current extinction rate is 1,000 to 10,000 times the rate before humans. Before humans one species per million per year (0.0001%) TODAY: 0.1 to 1% Between 5,000 and 100,000 per year depending upon how many

How are humans affecting extinction rates? 0.1% to 1% seen as conservative estimate: Likely to increase due to population and footprint “Hot Spots” under attack Simplifying ,many ecosystems… monoculture Estimates 20% of world’s plants and animals gone by 2030 and 50% by end of century

How are humans affecting extinction rates? Habitat fragmentation and disturbance leads to more opportunistic species like weeds, cockroaches, rodents etc. Numbers based on limited data Precautionary Principle “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of inelegant tinkering.”

Section 2 Key Ideas Why should we preserve wild species? What is the intrinsic value of a species?

Importance of Wild Species Why should we care if species go extinct??? Won’t other species evolve and take their place??? Main Answer: it would likely to at least 5 million years for evolution to rebuild the biodiversity we are likely to destroy this century… what about spiritual answer?

Importance of Wild Species Instrumental Value: based upon the usefulness of species (economic and ecological) Food crops Fuels Paper Medicines Genetic Information Recreation (eco tourism)

Importance of Wild Species Why care about bats??? 950 known species Reproduce slowly Live in huge colonies Feed on insects that may be harmful Distribute seeds or pollinate trees Keystone Species Unwarranted fear 10 people in 4 decades in U.S.

Intrinsic Value of Species Some people believe that each wild species has an inherent right to exist and play its ecological role no matter its usefulness. Biophilia Does that mean all species??? What do you think?

Importance of Wild Species Rebuilding biodiversity is slow Instrumental value Genetic information Eco-tourism Ecological value Intrinsic value (biophilia)

Section 3 Key Ideas What is the role of habitat loss and degradation in species extinction? What is the role of habitat fragmentation? How are birds impacted?

Causes of Depletion of Wild Species Human population growth Increasing per capita resource use Endangered centers of biodiversity Environmental destruction Spread of opportunistic species

Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species Fig. 12-6 p. 231

Habitat Loss and Degradation Greatest threat to species “HIPPO” Habitat destruction Invasive species Population (humans) growth Pollution Overharvesting

Species squeezed into smaller and more fragmented habitat

Habitat Fragmentation Species are more vulnerable to extinction when their habitats are divided into smaller and more isolated patches. Harder to reproduce More vulnerable to predators Vulnerable to diseases Vulnerable to catastrophic events (fires, etc.) Difficulty finding food, shelter etc.

Bird Extinctions 70% of world’s 9,800 known bird species are declining 1/6 endangered Habitat loss and fragmentation Nonnative species (cats eating birds, rats and snakes) Pet trade (parrots)

Bird Extinctions Hooked on fishing lines Collide with powerlines, skyscrapers, wind turbines Oil spills Pesticides Swallow lead from bullets

Bird Extinctions Environmental indicators: because they live in every climate and biome, are easy to track and respond to changes quickly Important: Pollination Control pests Spread seeds

Section 4 Key Ideas What is the role of deliberately introduced species? What is the role of accidentally introduced species? How can the threat of nonnative species be reduced? Deer population case study

Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced We depend upon nonnative species for: Economic systems Food Shelter Medicine Aesthetics Corn, wheat, rice, livestock, etc. (98% of food supply in U.S.)

Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced PROBLEM: When compete, control or destroy native species. Throws off ecosystem balance 50,000 nonnative species in U.S. Compete for resources No predators

Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced Nonnative (Invasive) species 2nd leading cause of extinctions 95% in Hawaii Cats kill estimated 568 million birds in U.S. per year Animals and Plants

Deliberately introduced species Accidentally Introduced Species Page 235

Accidentally Introduces Species Growing Number of Accidentally Introduced Species Causing: Economic Damage Ecological Damage Aircraft Ballast Water Cargo Soil in car tires Prevention Best To Reduce Threats

Accidentally Introduces Species

Accidentally Introduces Species California Agriculture Checkpoint

Accidentally Introduces Species

Threats from Nonnative Species Fig. 12-12 p. 238 Arrival Roles of non- native species Prevention Examples (p. 235) See Case Study p. 237 Fig. 12-12 p. 238

Section 5-6 Key Ideas What is the threat from poaching and hunting? Case study: Bushmeat What are other threats to endangered species? CNN Video

Bushmeat: such as gorilla head Source of protein for local populations Sometimes sold internationally

Other Extinction Threats Hunting and Poaching Predators and Pest Control Exotic Pets and Decorative Plants Climate Change and Pollution

Section 7 and 8 Key Ideas How can laws protect species…both internationally and in the U.S.? What are critical habitat designation and recovery plans?

International Laws and Treaties 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 160 countries 900 species Illegal to trade wildlife specimens Limited success (varies by country)

U.S. Laws 1900 Lacey Act: prohibits transporting wild animals across state lines 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA): one of the world most far reaching controversial environmental laws

U.S. Laws ESA: US Fish and Wildlife Service (on land) National Marine Fisheries Service (in water) ID and LIST Endangered and Threatened species in need of help Must be based on biological factors ALONE… no economic or political

U.S. Laws ESA: Forbids any U.S. Government funding or involvement that would hurt species or habitat Private landowners fine up to $100,000 and imprisonment Illegal to sell or buy product made from species Can not be hunted, killed or injured

U.S. Laws ESA: 1973-2004: 92 to 1,260 species listed 37 Species removed (14 recovery, 8 extinctions, rest discovered more) 60% plants, 40% animals TNC says 1/3rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260

Critical Habitat Designation ESA: Requires protecting critical habitat Developing recovery plan Lack of funding inhibit some plans (1/3rd of species have plan) 2001 Bush stopped listings

Private Property Rights Should the U.S. government compensate landowners when Endangered species decreases the economic value of their land? Arguments Yes and No: Read pages 242-243

Private Property Rights How can the government encourage private landowners to protect species? National Association of Homebuilders… How to Avoid ESA issues Habitat Conservation Plans

Protecting Wild Species: The Research and Legal Approaches International Treaties: CITES and CBD U.S. National Laws: Lacey Act Endangered Species Act Habitat recovery plans

Endangered Species Act Private versus public poverty rights Win-win compromises Weaken or strengthen the Act?

Protecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach Wildlife refuges and protected areas Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Zoos and Aquariums

Reconciliation Ecology Establishing and maintaining new habitats Being good neighbors to wildlife Reward voluntary conservation efforts See Case Study p. 248

Conservation: What Can I Do? Fig. 12-16 p. 249

Extinction Hot Spots