Conservation Biology and Legislation

1st federal law protecting wildlife A Little History… U.S. Lacey Act of 1900: prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold. 1st federal law protecting wildlife

Conservation Biology Research an org. to find best way to protect the species and its surrounding habitat.

In-Situ Conservation “In the field” conservation Done by protecting them in their habitat.

Ex-Situ Conservation “Out of the field” when few individs left Conserving/ helping the population repopulate in a lab, zoo, aquarium.

Bald Eagle Conservation 1963= 417 nesting pairs Loss of habitat, hunted, DDT Ex-Situ rehab. Aug 8, 07: off End Species List!

Seed Banks Ex-Situ: Saves plants from destruction Cryogenically frozen for future Stored in duplicate locations

Ex-Situ: Breed plants and educate Botanical Gardens Ex-Situ: Breed plants and educate

Raising public awareness Aquariums: Ex-Situ Grow corals Rehab injured animals Raising public awareness

Artificial Insemination Zoos: Ex-Situ Artificial Insemination Embryo Transfer Education

National Conservation Orgs Audubon Society American Cetacean Society National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Tree People

International Conservation Orgs World Conservation Union (IUCN) World Wildlife Fund Nature Conservancy: Buys land to establish reserves

1973 -illegal to import or trade products of E. S 1973 -illegal to import or trade products of E.S. unless used for science (USFWS) Species on list cannot be “taken”, threatened, killed, harmed: habitat can’t be harmed

Decision must be made on biological basis Must develop a recovery plan 1350 species listed (4000 candidates)

Problems w/ ESA Encourages people to destroy land before listing No focus on ecosystem Is inflexible and political Focus on charismatic megafauna Only 8 species de listed

International Laws CITES - Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species Created by IUCN Prohibits trade of live specimens or products of 900 species on list

Ring-Tailed Lemur: App I Squirrel Monkey: App II CITES Uses appendices for classification. Appendix 1: endangered. Appendix 2: threatened. An org. can be on both CITES and US ESA! Squirrel Monkey: App II

Common Hippo: Vulnerable Angel Shark: Crit. Endang. IUCN’s Red List Assess conservation status of global species. Use Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. Common Hippo: Vulnerable Angel Shark: Crit. Endang.

International Whaling Commission Regulates whaling Bans on gill-netting, purse seines Japan/Finland/Iceland no sign!

Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972, All marine mammals are protected Prohibits "take” of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas

How to Save End. Species Establish parks, preserves and wilderness areas that are not fragmented!

How to Save End. Species Enforce legislation such as US ESA and CITES. Support $$ env. organizations.

Control human population and consumption! How to Save End. Species Control human population and consumption!

Restore damaged habitats Regulate private land use. How to Save End. Species Restore damaged habitats Reforest Regulate private land use.