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

2. Edward Abbey
…the love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of the loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need-if only we had eyes to see. Original sin, the true original sin, is the blind destruction for the sake of greed of this natural paradise which lies around us…

3. Chapter 12 Key Concepts Human effects on extinction rates
Understanding biodiversity and extinction
How human activities endanger wildlife
Preventing extinction

4. How does a species go from having billions to extinct in just one century…The Passenger Pigeon Story.
Extinct in the wild since 1900 and last died in the Cincinnati Zoo 1914.

5. Section 1 Key Ideas What are the 3 types of extinctions?
What are endangered and threatened species?
How do biologists estimate the number of extinctions?
How are humans impacting extinction rates?

6. Species Extinction Local extinction: species no longer found in a
Specific location.
Ecological extinction: when so few are located
they no longer play a role in a ecosystem.
Biological extinction: when species no longer
exists anywhere. GONE FOREVER!

7. Endangered and Threatened Species
Endangered species: has so few individuals
it may soon be extinct.
Threatened (vulnerable) species: declining
numbers mean it may soon become endangered.
Certain characteristics make some species more vulnerable…big, slow, tasty or have valuable parts (ie. Tusks)
Florida manatee
Northern spotted owl (threatened)
Gray wolf
Florida panther
Bannerman's turaco (Africa)

8. TNC estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U. S
TNC estimates 1/3rd of 21,000 identified U.S. animal and plant species are vulnerable.
30,000 of the world’s species and 1,200 in U.S. are officially endangered.

10. Characteristics that make a species prone to extinction.

11. Percent of various types of species endangered.

12. How do biologists estimate extinctions
99.9% of all species that ever existed are extinct.
Extinctions are “normal”
What is happening for last few centuries not “normal”… mass extinction.

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

15. How do biologists estimate extinctions
Hard to figure out (extinctions take long time…)
ID only million of million species
Truth: we don’t know how many species are becoming extinct.
SPECIES AREA = 90% loss of habitat = 50% loss of species

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

17. Estimating Extinction Rates: Look up for homework page 228
Species-area relationships
Population viability analysis (PVA)
Minimum viable population (MVP)
Minimum dynamic area (MDA)

18. How are humans affecting extinction rates?
Biologists estimate that current extinction rate is 1,000 to 10,000 times the rate before humans.
Before humans one species per million per year (0.0001%)
TODAY: 0.1 to 1%
Between 5,000 and 100,000 per year depending upon how many

19. How are humans affecting extinction rates?
0.1% to 1% seen as conservative estimate:
Likely to increase due to population and footprint
“Hot Spots” under attack
Simplifying ,many ecosystems… monoculture
Estimates 20% of world’s plants and animals gone by 2030 and 50% by end of century

20. How are humans affecting extinction rates?
Habitat fragmentation and disturbance leads to more opportunistic species like weeds, cockroaches, rodents etc.
Numbers based on limited data
Precautionary Principle
“To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of inelegant tinkering.”

22. Section 2 Key Ideas Why should we preserve wild species?
What is the intrinsic value of a species?

23. Importance of Wild Species
Why should we care if species go extinct???
Won’t other species evolve and take their place???
Main Answer: it would likely to at least 5 million years for evolution to rebuild the biodiversity we are likely to destroy this century… what about spiritual answer?

24. Importance of Wild Species
Instrumental Value: based upon the usefulness of species (economic and ecological)
Food crops
Fuels
Paper
Medicines
Genetic Information
Recreation (eco tourism)

25. Importance of Wild Species
Why care about bats???
950 known species
Reproduce slowly
Live in huge colonies
Feed on insects that may be harmful
Distribute seeds or pollinate trees
Keystone Species
Unwarranted fear 10 people in 4 decades in U.S.

26. Intrinsic Value of Species
Some people believe that each wild species has an inherent right to exist and play its ecological role no matter its usefulness.
Biophilia
Does that mean all species???
What do you think?

27. Importance of Wild Species
Rebuilding biodiversity is slow
Instrumental value
Genetic information
Eco-tourism
Ecological value
Intrinsic value (biophilia)

29. Section 3 Key Ideas
What is the role of habitat loss and degradation in species extinction?
What is the role of habitat fragmentation?
How are birds impacted?

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

33. Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species
Fig p. 231

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

35. Species squeezed into smaller and more fragmented habitat

36. Habitat Fragmentation
Species are more vulnerable to extinction when their habitats are divided into smaller and more isolated patches.
Harder to reproduce
More vulnerable to predators
Vulnerable to diseases
Vulnerable to catastrophic events (fires, etc.)
Difficulty finding food, shelter etc.

42. Bird Extinctions 70% of world’s 9,800 known bird species are declining
1/6 endangered
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Nonnative species (cats eating birds, rats and snakes)
Pet trade (parrots)

43. Bird Extinctions Hooked on fishing lines
Collide with powerlines, skyscrapers, wind turbines
Oil spills
Pesticides
Swallow lead from bullets

44. Bird Extinctions
Environmental indicators: because they live in every climate and biome, are easy to track and respond to changes quickly
Important:
Pollination
Control pests
Spread seeds

46. Section 4 Key Ideas
What is the role of deliberately introduced species?
What is the role of accidentally introduced species?
How can the threat of nonnative species be reduced?
Deer population case study

47. Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced
We depend upon nonnative species for:
Economic systems
Food
Shelter
Medicine
Aesthetics
Corn, wheat, rice, livestock, etc. (98% of food supply in U.S.)

48. Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced
PROBLEM: When compete, control or destroy native species.
Throws off ecosystem balance
50,000 nonnative species in U.S.
Compete for resources
No predators

49. Nonnative Species Deliberately Introduced
Nonnative (Invasive) species 2nd leading cause of extinctions
95% in Hawaii
Cats kill estimated 568 million birds in U.S. per year
Animals and Plants

50. Deliberately introduced species
Accidentally Introduced Species
Page 235

51. Accidentally Introduces Species
Growing Number of Accidentally Introduced Species Causing:
Economic Damage
Ecological Damage
Aircraft
Ballast Water
Cargo
Soil in car tires
Prevention Best To Reduce Threats

52. Accidentally Introduces Species

53. Accidentally Introduces Species
California Agriculture Checkpoint

54. Accidentally Introduces Species

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

57. Section 5-6 Key Ideas What is the threat from poaching and hunting?
Case study: Bushmeat
What are other threats to endangered species?
CNN Video

58. Bushmeat: such as gorilla head
Source of protein for local populations
Sometimes sold internationally

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

61. Section 7 and 8 Key Ideas
How can laws protect species…both internationally and in the U.S.?
What are critical habitat designation and recovery plans?

62. International Laws and Treaties
1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
160 countries
900 species
Illegal to trade wildlife specimens
Limited success (varies by country)

63. U.S. Laws
1900 Lacey Act: prohibits transporting wild animals across state lines
1973 Endangered Species Act (ESA): one of the world most far reaching controversial environmental laws

64. U.S. Laws
ESA:
US Fish and Wildlife Service (on land) National Marine Fisheries Service (in water)
ID and LIST Endangered and Threatened species in need of help
Must be based on biological factors ALONE… no economic or political

65. U.S. Laws
ESA:
Forbids any U.S. Government funding or involvement that would hurt species or habitat
Private landowners fine up to $100,000 and imprisonment
Illegal to sell or buy product made from species
Can not be hunted, killed or injured

66. U.S. Laws ESA: 1973-2004: 92 to 1,260 species listed
37 Species removed (14 recovery, 8 extinctions, rest discovered more)
60% plants, 40% animals
TNC says 1/3rd of all U.S. species…30,000 not 1,260

67. Critical Habitat Designation
ESA:
Requires protecting critical habitat
Developing recovery plan
Lack of funding inhibit some plans (1/3rd of species have plan)
2001 Bush stopped listings

68. Private Property Rights
Should the U.S. government compensate landowners when Endangered species decreases the economic value of their land?
Arguments Yes and No: Read pages

69. Private Property Rights
How can the government encourage private landowners to protect species?
National Association of Homebuilders… How to Avoid ESA issues
Habitat Conservation Plans

70. 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

71. Endangered Species Act
Private versus public poverty rights
Win-win compromises
Weaken or strengthen the Act?

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

75. Reconciliation Ecology
Establishing and maintaining new habitats
Being good neighbors to wildlife
Reward voluntary conservation efforts
See Case Study p. 248

76. Conservation: What Can I Do?
Fig p. 249

77. Extinction Hot Spots