1. Species at Risk Environmental Issues

2. If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. E.O. Wilson - naturalist and Pulitzer prize winner

3. Brainstorm Write down the names of as many living organisms as you can. Now organize your list under the following headings: (Mammals, Birds, Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects, Plants, Other). What category has the most species? Is this representative of the actual diversity?

4. What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the heterogeneity or the range of organisms in a community. It includes variation in types of species, genetics, ecosystems, and the interactions between them. There are three levels of biodiversity:

5. Genetic Diversity variety present at the level of the gene. Genes are the building blocks that determine how an organism will develop. Genetic diversity is important because it represents the raw material for evolution and adaptation. Modern agricultural practices that employ monocultures are susceptible to disease or parasite attacks because they lack the genetics to either adapt or to fight off the disease and parasites.

6. Species Diversity the number of different unique organisms (species). Most data collected on biodiversity is related to species analysis because it is easier to work with and can be determined in the field. Each species is important and has a specific role in the function of an ecosystem.

7. Ecosystem Diversity represents the species distributions, community patterns, the role of species, and their interactions within ecosystems. Different ecosystems are important for different specialist species. For example, the caterpillars which will eventually become monarch butterflies require milkweed to feed on, and although monarch butterflies number in the millions there has been concern over the loss of milkweed habitat in eastern North America, because no milkweed equals no breeding habitat.

8. What is the value of biodiversity? We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. E.O. Wilson - naturalist and Pulitzer prize winner Biodiversity is priceless and with every species lost, the opportunity to understand the possible benefits that species may have brought is lost as well.

9. The following summarizes the importance of biodiversity: Genetic diversity in wild and cultivated plants allow breeders to select for traits in response to environmental change. Foods (e.g., variety of vegetables and fruits). Medicines (estimated 3 billion people rely on medicines from plants). Economic activity (harvesting of natural resources). Provides an aesthetic value that humans find appealing. Loss of plants affects the atmospheric conditions and the photosynthesis-respiration (carbon dioxide-oxygen) cycle. Wetlands are natural water filters and help to remove pollutants. Destruction of insects removes natural pest controls

10. What is the primary cause leading to a loss of biodiversity? The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is the loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us. E.O. Wilson

11. What was the first thought that came to your mind? Most people believe that human exploitation (hunting, fishing…) is the main cause of species extinctions and although it has been the cause of some extinctions - such as the mammoth, dodo and buffalo, it is not the primary cause. Instead, it is the habitat destruction caused by an expanding population that is leading the way.

12. Habitats can be destroyed by: Habitat Loss - the clearing and change in land use; Habitat Fragmentation - the splitting of large areas of land for societal purposes (roads) preventing animals from moving between habitats and limiting their ability to find food, reproduce, and colonize new areas; Habitat Degradation – loss of biological productivity due to pollution.

13. What species are most at risk? Generalist species are able to survive under a wide range of conditions. They are better able to adapt to changing landscapes. Specialist species live within a defined set of environmental conditions and are often unable to adapt to changes caused by humans. Some specializations that make species more vulnerable include: low reproductive rates (bald eagles); specialized habitat (monarch butterfly); fixed migration routes (whooping crane); large territory (grizzly bear).

14. Discussion Eventually all species become extinct, therefore does it matter that the whooping crane and giant panda are endangered due to human activities? Do species have an inherent right to live without human interference, whether they serve any useful purpose to humans?

15. What's Being Done? International Policy: CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) (1973): targets poaching, smuggling, illegal trade in species, and their parts. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): the convention promotes co-operation among countries with the goal of conserving biodiversity.

16. National Policy: SAR (Species At Risk Act): received royal assent in December 2002 and went into full effect in June 2004. Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada Agency of Heritage Canada are the three core departments responsible for implementing SARA. The Act prohibits killing species listed under the act and destroying their critical habitat. COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada): a legal entity separate from the government, to ensure that species are listed (e.g., as endangered, extinct, threatened) by a scientific panel. RENEW (Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife): established in 1988 and includes all levels of government to undertake the recovery efforts for species at risk. National Parks Act (1911): developed to protect representative areas of nationwide significance and for public understanding and appreciation of natural environment.

17. Provincial Policy: Ontario Provincial Parks Act (1954): there are 331 provincial parks zoned as wilderness, nature preserve, natural environment, waterway, historic, and recreation. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR or MNR): formed in 1972, the MNR is responsible for the province's wildlife and provincial land use, as well as promoting and regulating the various resource interests. COSSARO (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario): the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR or MNR) also has a committee to evaluate species at risk. Ontario Endangered Species Act (rev. 2008): aimed at protecting endangered organisms in Ontario. Although a major problem with the revised 2008 version is that the forestry and aggregate mining industries are exempted from following the act. Think about how habitat destruction and fragmentation occurs and how these industries could affect the conservation efforts. Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1997): was developed to set restrictions and regulations on hunting and fishing (e.g., releases a certain number of deer tags during hunting season)

18. Success stories In early 1941, the Whooping Crane's population had decreased to a mere 21 individuals and its future was bleak. With the only breeding habitat in Wood Buffalo National Park and new conservation efforts along its migratory route to its wintering grounds in Texas, the population has rebounded and in 2007 the Canadian Wildlife Service counted 73 mating pairs. The whooping crane is still listed as an endangered species but its future is much brighter now.

19. In 1987, the American white pelican was removed from the COSEWIC list. It had been listed as threatened, but with recovery efforts the American white pelican was able to successfully start new colonies in prairie lake habitats, and eventually its numbers increased. The American white pelican is once again found in relatively healthy numbers across the Canadian prairies.