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

Key Concepts  Human effects on extinction rates  Understanding biodiversity and extinction  How human activities endanger wildlife  Preventing extinction  Reconciliation ecology

Species Extinction  Local extinction  Ecological extinction  Biological extinction

Endangered and Threatened Species  Endangered species  Threatened (vulnerable) species From Fig p. 227 Florida manatee Northern spotted owl (threatened) Gray wolfFlorida panther Bannerman's turaco (Africa) © 2004 Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning

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

Characteristics of Extinction Prone Species Fig p. 228

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

Estimating Extinction Rates  Species-area relationships  Population viability analysis (PVA)  Minimum viable population (MVP)  Minimum dynamic area (MDA)  Species-area relationships  Population viability analysis (PVA)  Minimum viable population (MVP)  Minimum dynamic area (MDA)

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

Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species Fig p. 231

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 p. 249