Biodiversity: To Defend or Not Defend By: Gurvir Virk SBI3UO-Mr.Kass October 20th,2011

Endangered Species The endangered animal species which I have chosen as my topic for my summative assignment, is the Gray Wolf. http://www.earthsendangered.com/video.asp?cID=937

Species profile: Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata (Vertebreta) Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Scientific Name: Canis Lupis Common Name: Timber Wolf, Tundra Wolf, Arctic Wolf

Species profile: geographic range The Gray Wolf is found in Canada, Greenland, Libya, Egypt, Eurasia (exception of southeastern corner), and U.S.A (exception of southeastern corner) The Gray Wolf, second to humans, has the greatest natural range than any other terrestrial mammal. In the U.S the Gray Wolf is considered an endangered species. It has been since put into recovery through several organizations to regain its declining population to remove the threat of its species extinction. Its found it in northern U.S States such as Michigan, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nevada. In Michigan it can be found in Iron County.

Global Range of Gray Wolf

Iron County

Species Profile: habitat/system The Gray Wolf lives in all varieties of habitats except for Tropical Forests and Arid Deserts. It is commonly found in bare areas with a lack of tree life. Lives on Rough Terrestrial Lands. It resides in mostly the Northern Hemisphere. It lives where there is large amounts of food.

Species profile: population Globally, the population of the Gray wolf remains at a mere 150,000. In Mexico the Gray Wolf Species is extinct in the wild and is only found in human custody for recovery. In many other countries where it is found, it is currently endangered or threatened of endangerment. Its population has been reduced to one third of what it was originally.

Major threats The Gray Wolf is facing extinction because of: Poisoning and deliberate persecution due to depredation on livestock Hunting for Gray Wolf fur Human encroachment into wolf territory

Poisoning and Persecution Gray Wolves have been poisoned and persecuted by humans because of attempts of attack on their livestock's. In developed countries, exaggerated concern of danger of wolves has caused public uproar. The number of cases reported of Gray Wolves attacking livestock’s are few in numbers, but are still considered by people as threats to their well being and started killing Gray Wolves in hopes of solving their problems. Organizations have been working with livestock owners to develop non-lethal methods to reduce the chances of a wolf attacking livestock’s. Methods include: Fencing Alarm Systems Lighting

Fur hunting In Canada and Alaska, Gray Wolves fur pelts are used for various things such as clothing from the harsh weathers in the winter. Mongolia and former Soviet Union hunted Gray Wolves for fur for trade and other uses. It is considered a sport in some places to hunt wolves as a game which has decreased their numbers drastically. Their fur is considered valuable.

Human Encroachment Gray Wolves have had their territories invaded by humans on many occasion causing the disappearance of their food sources and making them leave their territory. Development of humans on their territories often involve the hunting of their prey by humans (taking away the natural food source of the wolves) and causing the Gray Wolf population to move out and find new land with food supply to fend off of. Their territories are fragmented causing it to become more difficult for them to live there if the population is staying for long-term viability.

Food web Gray Wolf Canis lupis Omnivore Elk Cervus Canadensis Herbivore Canadian Deer Axis Canadensis Herbivore Long Tailed Vole Microtus longicaudus Herbivore Moose Alces alces Herbivore Black Berries Autotrophic Sugar Beets Autotrophic Douglas Fir Needles Autotrophic Lichens Autotrophic

Phylum - Chordata The Gray Wolf falls under the phylum Chordata (also know as Chordates) A Chordate is an animal that currently has or had a Dorsal Nerve Code in their life at some time or through an ancestor who had one. The Dorsal Nerve Code develops and evolves over time into a back bone which is commonly found in vertebrates (e.g. Humans, Bears, Monkeys, Horses).

Phylum - Chordata These are other good examples of organisms which fall under the Phylum of Chordata: Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Ethiopian Wolf (Canis Simensis) African Lion (Panthera Leo) Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)

Classification map Kingdoms

Classification map Phylum's

consequences If the Gray wolf were to become extinct: We would lose a key factor within the ecosystem which keeps it stable and functioning If the ecosystem were to become unstable, certain species which relied on the now currently extinct species would also become endangered and end up becoming extinct The species which went extinct may have been helping the ecosystem by being at the top of the food chain and ensuring the food chain remain balanced and that species below were increasing in population at rapid rates which may be harmful for the ecosystem, it could've been the prey of the species which went extinct

Consequences Pt.2 The cycle would continue until the food chain broke up and than be left with over population of some species which may or not be wanted or a decline in a population of other species which may or may not be wanted The source of gray, white, black fur found on Gray Wolves would be gone and we wouldn’t be able to get it anymore or have to find another animal which produces that same quality of fur and begin hunting it down until It becomes extinct

Personal response Biodiversity is found everywhere since it is life in a sense. The word derives from the words Biology (The study of living organisms) and Diversity (A range of different things, a variety of things) Biodiversity is important, but what makes it so important? Biodiversity is important because it is the study of the diverse amounts of species/organisms which live on Earth. Those organisms make up the planet and help support it so it can sustain life. Every organism even those smaller than the eye can see or bigger than cars all affect the Biodiversity of the earth. They make the Earth unique because it isn't sustaining only one general species of life, but millions, and these millions of species work together so they can survive and co-exist with one another.

Personal response pt.2 Take a small creek for an example, in that creek there are perhaps thousands of organisms: including bacteria, animals, plants, and fungi. These organisms work together so they can survive and fulfill their requirements of daily necessities to live such as food, water, or shelter/protection. They live off one another and support each other. We as humans also rely on the very same organisms to survive. We rely on plants for crops so we can eat and grow, we rely on insects such as worms to fertilize the soil so we can grow more crops, we rely on cattle for milk, bacteria makes yeast to make bread. The greater the variety of species diversity ensures that natural sustainability for all living organisms will be guaranteed.

Personal response pt.3 In natural disasters the healthier and diverse the ecosystem the better it will withstand and recover from the disaster. We should all know that Biodiversity is important because everything we see, touch, feel, taste, and smell comes from a natural resource, a living organism, because this planet is also a living thing. Take a castle of cards as an example this time, if we were to remove cards one at a time in places which were not supporting the structure than the damage would be minimal, but if were to end up taking cards from the structure than the structure would weaken every time a vitally important card was removed and eventually collapse.

Personal response pt.4 The biodiversity of the world is just like that. Even now we are losing species never to be seen again every hour and have lost so many already. How long do we have till the world biodiversity crashes and our very way of life, of survival will be changed or destroyed. That is what we should focus on not whether or not some individuals think that Biodiversity is important or not, because the fact of the matter is, that Biodiversity is important.

Action plan Dear Members of Parliament, My name is Gurvir Virk, and I am a member of the Defenders of Wildlife Organization which serves to protect and recover species from endangerment. I am writing this letter to address mine and my organizations concerns for the Gray Wolf which is native to your country. The Gray Wolf, just like many animals is an endangered species which could be facing extinction if nothing is done for it. It is a species which has for centuries kept stable the ecosystem and has traversed the global landscape stretching from North America to Eurasia. This animals necessity is a must because without it the world ecosystem will surely collapse and cause a catastrophe to occur. The source of fur that this animal possess is highly valued and concerned rare to some, if this animal were to become extinct that fur would also disappear causing people to search for new animals to skin and kill off just so they can look better and eventually cause the new species which provides the fur to also be come endangered and then extinct. We can stop this if we make laws to protect the wolves. Fines to ensure no hunting of this poor animal occur. Set land reservations for the Wolves so they can live as they originally had done so in the past, start recovery programs and keep them in containment so they can reproduce to bring back their numbers than be able to return to the wild when it is safe for them. We need to act now and stop our old ways of taking over their land and killing their food sources. Act now for their sake! Sincerely, Gurvir Virk

Bibliography "500 Internal Server Error." Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?gr=M>. "Gray Wolf." Amazing Animals of the World. Grolier Online, 2011. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. Glass-Godwin, Lenela. "Wolf." Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier Online, 2011. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. "ANIMAL BYTES - Gray Wolf." SeaWorld/Busch Gardens ANIMALS - HOME. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal- bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/carniv ora/gray-wolf.htm>. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A00D#actionPlans "Grey Wolf (Canis lupus)." IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. 20 Oct. 2011 <http://www.canids.org/species/Canis_lupus.htm>.

Bibliography "Gray Wolf Facts - Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife." Defenders of Wildlife - Protection of Endangered Species, Imperiled Species, Habitats. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/wolf,_gray.php>. "Gray Wolf - National Wildlife Federation." Home - National Wildlife Federation. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Gray-Wolf.aspx>. "Grey Wolf (Canis Lupus)." IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.canids.org/species/Canis_lupus.htm>.

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