1. Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach Chapter 9

2. What Role Do Humans Play in the Premature Extinction of Species?  We are degrading and destroying biodiversity in many parts of the world, and these threats are increasing.  Species are becoming extinct 100 to 1,000 times faster than they were before modern humans arrived on the earth (the background rate), and by the end of this century, the extinction rate is expected to be 10,000 times the background rate.

3. Human Activities Are Destroying and Degrading Biodiversity  HIPPCO?  H = Habitat Destruction, Degradation, fragmentation  I = Invasive Species  P = Population Growth  P = Pollution  C = Climate Change  O = Overexploitation

4. Poll time..  What causes loss of biodiversity?? What causes loss of biodiversity??

5. 3 Types of Species Extinction Local extinction = no longer found in a given area once inhabited (found in other parts of the world) Ecological extinction = so few species it can no longer play its ecological role Biological extinction = no longer found on earth = FOREVER

6. Endangered and Threatened Species Are Ecological Smoke Alarms  Endangered species = so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct  Threatened species = vulnerable species Characteristics of such species

7. Fig. 9-4, p. 187 Grizzly bear Kirkland’s warbler Knowlton cactus Florida manatee African elephant Utah prairie dog Swallowtail butterfly Humpback chub Golden lion tamarin Siberian tiger Giant panda Black-footed ferret Whooping crane Northern spotted owl Blue whale Mountain gorilla Florida panther California condor Hawksbill sea turtle Black rhinoceros

8. Characteristics of Species That Are Prone to Ecological and Biological Extinction

9. Why Should We Care about Preventing Premature Species Extinction?  We should prevent the premature extinction of wild species because of the economic and ecological services they provide and because they have a right to exist regardless of their usefulness to us.

10. Species Are a Vital Part of the Earth’s Natural Capital  Instrumental value – usefulness to us Use value Ecological services Recreation (ecotourism) Information Goods Nonuse value Existence value Aesthetic value Bequest value

11. Natural Capital: Nature’s Pharmacy

12. Loss of Habitat Is the Single Greatest Threat to Species: Remember HIPPCO  Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation  Invasive (nonnative) species  Population and resource use growth  Pollution  Climate change  Overexploitation

13. Natural Capital Degradation: Reduction in the Ranges of Four Wildlife Species

14. The Ten Most Threatened Song Birds in the United States

15. Polar Bear with Seal Prey

16. White Rhinoceros Killed by a Poacher

17. Bush Meat: Lowland Gorilla

18. How Can We Protect Wild Species from Premature Extinction?  We can use existing environmental laws and treaties and work to enact new laws designed to prevent species extinction and protect overall biodiversity.  We can help to prevent species extinction by creating and maintaining wildlife refuges, gene banks, botanical gardens, zoos, and aquariums.

19. How Can We Protect Wild Species from Premature Extinction?  According to the precautionary principle, we should take measures to prevent or reduce harm to the environment and to human health, even if some of the cause-and-effect relationships have not been fully established, scientifically.

20. International Treaties Help to Protect Species  1975: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – restricts international trade of live specimens/products b/c they are at risk of becoming threatened Signed by 172 countries

21.  Lacey Act of 1900 – prohibits transporting live or dead animals across state borders (w/o a federal permit)  Endangered Species Act (ESA): 1973 and later amended in 1982, 1983, and 1985  Identify and protect endangered species in the U.S. and abroad National Laws

22. Confiscated Products Made from Endangered Species

23. Accomplishments of the Endangered Species Act  Species listed only when serious danger of extinction  Takes decades for most species to become endangered or extinct  More than half of the species listed are stable or improving  Budget has been small

24. Gene Banks, Botanical Gardens, and Wildlife Farms Can Help Protect Species  Gene or seed banks Preserve genetic material of endangered plants  Botanical gardens and arboreta Living plants  Farms to raise organisms for commercial sale

25. Zoos and Aquariums Can Protect Some Species  Techniques for preserving endangered terrestrial species Egg pulling Captive breeding Artificial insemination Embryo transfer Use of incubators Cross-fostering

26. Zoos and Aquariums Can Protect Some Species  Limited space and funds  Critics say these facilities are prisons for the organisms

27. What Can You Do? Protecting Species