Endangered Species: Politics and Biology EEOB November 2003

Perspectives on the Issue of Endangered Species Extinction in geological and human history Why save endangered species? Political-Legal: Public willingness to support the cost Systematics, natural history, and ecology of endangered species: All present problems for the ESA

t Graham Red Squirrel Tamias hudsonicus grahamensis Mt Graham Red Squirrel Endangered Subspecies Endangered Subspecies Critical habitat: spruce-fir forest Critical habitat: spruce-fir forest Estimates of abundance over time Estimates of abundance over time A lesson for conservationists? A lesson for conservationists? Lessons for biologists? Lessons for biologists?

t Graham Red Squirrel Tamias hudsonicus grahamensis Mt Graham Red Squirrel Endangered Subspecies Endangered Subspecies Critical habitat: spruce-fir forest Critical habitat: spruce-fir forest Estimates of abundance over time Estimates of abundance over time A lesson for conservationists? A lesson for conservationists?

: Characteristics of Endangered Species : Low natality and low natural mortality Specialized, narrow habitat or environmental requirements Historically restricted in distribution, on periphery of range or low in density Adapted to stable, undisturbed communities

Case Studies of Endangered Species Kirtland’s Warbler : a “r-selected” species nesting in a “disturbed” habitat Specialized nesting habitat: Below jack pine, yr. old ft high in north-central Mich. Adapted to a seral (disturbed) community The cowbird problem: a result of forest fragmentation?

Kirtland’s Warbler Six slides of warblers & habitat 1._________ 2._________ 3.___________ 4.____________ 5.________________ 6._____________________

Cowbird Trapping Trapping 12,000 ha. Of 54, 000 ha Pine Plnatations

California Condor k-selected patterns of natality and mortality i e.___________? Restriction of historical distribution in southwest US The roles of egg collecting and pesticides

: Characteristics of Endangered Species : Low natality and low natural mortality Specialized, narrow habitat or environmental requirements Historically restricted in distribution, on periphery of range or low in density Adapted to stable, undisturbed communities

Causes for Endangered status: Loss or degradation of habitat and/or overexploitation ? Life history characteristics Do “extinction vortices/ PVA” come into play with small, isolated populations? Black-footed ferret – (see Meffe & Carroll)

History of Endangered Species Legislation : 1 st laws, basic policies developed, Also CITES

1973-Endangered Species Act 1973-Endangered Species Act Defined the categories of Endangered and Threatened Required federal agencies to protect “critical habitat” Cooperative agreements and recovery plans Provided for U.S. Implementation of CITES 1978-Endangered Species Amendment Act Exemptions allow to Section 7 (Review Board) Tellico Dam- Congress’ lesson for environmentalists

Administrative Procedures for Listing Endangered Species Petition to list – any U.S. citizen Criteria for Listing: 1) habitat, 2) distrib & abundance, 3) exploitation, 4) protection 90-day Finding – Publish in Fed Register? 1 year finding: Warrented or Not Listing and the strategy for delisting: 1)Recovery Plan, 2)Cooperative Agreements

The Process of Listing Petition to the Fish & Wildlife Service to have a species added or removed from the Endangered Species List. Who has status to petition the USF & WS? Example: The spotted owl Criteria for Listing of a species or subspecies: –1) Loss of habitat –2) Continuous decline in abundance or distribution –3) Overexploitation –4) Inadequate regulations for protection

Recovery Plansvery Plans: If the species or subspecies is listed, the The goal is to remove species from the List. Examples: _______________________ –Recovery Plans and identification of Critical Habitat –Cooperative Agreements – Recovery Teams of local academic biologists and conservation agency biologists

Condor Recovery Plan : Captive breeding & Reintroduction Captive breeding & Reintroduction 1965: 60 wild birds 1982: 24 wild birds 1987: 27 birds captive 1990: 40 in captivity 1992: 1 st reintroduction 2002: 68 ( of 197) in wild

Endangered Ecosystems Act? Is there a feasible alternative, more supportive of biodiversity?