Threats to Wildlife What are the major areas that threaten Manitoba wildlife?

The Top Five….or so!! Habitat loss and degradation Invasive species Climate change Pollution Pesticides Threats tied to human activities

Habitat loss & Degradation Species survival is directly tied to its habitat What causes habitat loss?? Humankind’s attempts to make the world more inhabitable & productive to support increasing population has impacted significant portions of land and water This is the leading threat to species!

Invasive Species Invasive alien species are harmful, non-native plants, animals, & microorganisms that are introduced into an environment Usually have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction & spread rampantly Cause damage to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, property, & human health

Zebra musselHimalayan Balsam Ox-Eye DaisyDame’s Rocket Invasive tree pestsCurly leaf Pondweed Creeping BellflowerLily Leaf Beetle ToadflaxJointed Goat Grass Mosquito FishSt. John’s Wort Invasive Species in Manitoba Zebra mussel Himalayan Balsam Ox-Eye DaisyDame’s Rocket Curly Leaf Pondweed Creeping Bellflower Lily Leaf Beetle Toadflax Mosquito Fish St. John’s Wort

Climate Change Special threat to endangered species – Often geographically restricted due to niche or habitat loss – climate change can render already stressed habitats unsuitable – Lower genetic diversity which limits their ability to adapt to climate change – Often depend on the survival of their food source – Often live in areas threatened by climate change – Arctic or coastal regions 15-37% of species to go extinct by 2050 from climate change (according to Nature magazine) – Grizzly bear, Indiana bat, golden-cheeked warbler, Karner blue butterfly are all threatened by climate change

Pollution Where does pollution come from? – Agriculture, industry, urban development Fertilizers/pesticides are absorbed by plants, animals, & soil – can be harmful/fatal to species Run-off from fields can pollute waterways Urban/industrial centres release pollutants into waterways – build up in aquatic food chains Siltation (from removal of stream bank vegetation) reduces water quality Acid rain causes acidification of lakes & rivers making them unsuitable for most species

Pesticides Adverse effects of pesticides on wildlife includes: – Undermining of neurological & behavioral development in mammals, fish, amphibians, & birds – Impending “pollinator” crisis – Decline in population of the leopard frog – Herbicides are hazardous to mammalian reproduction causing reduced litter sizes & deformed young

Human Activities Human population growth – causing: severe deforestation, habitat fragmentation, species extinction, water scarcity, climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution Agriculture & pesticides – causing: conversion of native prairie, grassland, forest & wetlands to cropland, pollution & loss of habitat

Human Activities Logging – causing: loss of forest habitat, stream bank erosion, Fire suppression – causing: loss of fire benefits such as: clearing out of understory, seed germination Mining & drilling – causing: destruction of habitat & pollution Poaching & overfishing – causing: species depletion Urbanization – causing: fragmentation of habitats due to road construction, etc.

Stages to Extinction Extinct - Species that no longer exists anywhere Extirpated - Species that no longer exists in the wild in Manitoba but exists in the wild outside of Manitoba Endangered - Species that is facing imminent extirpation or extinction Threatened - Species currently listed provincially as at-risk likely to become endangered if the factors affecting them do not improve

Other classifications: Vulnerable - Species not currently listed provincially as at-risk but which could be endangered or threatened if the factors affecting them do not improve Special Concern - Species that may become endangered or threatened due to biological characteristics and/or identified threats

Manitoba species at risk (current list) Manitoba currently has plants/animals in the endangered and threatened Risk in amphibian, 11 birds, 3 insects, 3 mammals, & 10 plants

Manitoba examples Great Plains Toad Small white Lady’s-slipper

Your assignment Create a pictorial display of the endangered, threatened and extirpated species of Manitoba Use some kind of multi - media approach (moviemaker or ppt or something like that) Include a picture of each organism and its scientific name. Make sure that your show is divided into the three listed categories… endangered/threatened & extirpated Remember… there is always a bonus for extra work! These sites will get you started