Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species ApproachSustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

14th Edition

Modified by Mr. Manskopf

Chapter 12

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

14th Edition

Modified by Mr. Manskopf

Chapter 12

Edward AbbeyEdward 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…

Chapter 12 Key ConceptsChapter 12 Key Concepts

Human effects on extinction rates Human effects on extinction rates

Understanding biodiversity and extinction Understanding biodiversity and extinction

How human activities endanger wildlife How human activities endanger wildlife

Preventing extinction Preventing extinction

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.

Section 1 Key IdeasSection 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?

Species ExtinctionSpecies Extinction

Local extinction: species no longer found in a Specific location.

Local extinction: species no longer found in a Specific location.

Ecological extinction: when so few are locatedthey no longer play a role in a ecosystem.

Ecological extinction: when so few are locatedthey no longer play a role in a ecosystem.

Biological extinction: when species no longerexists anywhere. GONE FOREVER!

Biological extinction: when species no longerexists anywhere. GONE FOREVER!

Endangered and Threatened SpeciesEndangered and Threatened Species

Endangered species: has so few individualsit may soon be extinct.

Endangered species: has so few individualsit may soon be extinct.

Threatened (vulnerable) species: decliningnumbers mean it may soon become endangered.

Threatened (vulnerable) species: decliningnumbers mean it may soon become endangered.

Florida manatee

Northern spotted owl (threatened)

Gray wolf Florida panther Bannerman's turaco (Africa)

Certain characteristics make some species more vulnerable…big, slow, tasty or have valuable parts (ie. Tusks)

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.

Characteristics that make a species prone to extinction.

Percent of various types of species endangered.

How do biologists estimate extinctionsHow 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.

Extinction RatesExtinction Rates

Background (natural) rate of extinction Background (natural) rate of extinction

Massextinction

Massextinction

Extinction spasm

Extinction spasm

Fig. 5-9 p. 96

How do biologists estimate extinctionsHow do biologists estimate extinctions• Hard to figure out

(extinctions take long time…)

• ID only 1.4-1.8 million of 5-100 million species

Truth: we don’t know how many species are becoming extinct.

SPECIES AREA = 90% loss of habitat = 50% loss of species

Problems Estimating Extinction RatesProblems 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: Look up for homework page 228Estimating Extinction Rates: Look up for homework page 228

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)

How are humans affecting extinction rates?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

How are humans affecting extinction rates?How are humans affecting extinction rates?

0.1% to 1% seen as conservative estimate:

1) Likely to increase due to population and footprint

2) “Hot Spots” under attack

3) Simplifying ,many ecosystems… monoculture

Estimates 20% of world’s plants and animals gone by 2030 and 50% by end of century

How are humans affecting extinction rates?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.”

Section 2 Key IdeasSection 2 Key Ideas

• Why should we preserve wild species?• What is the intrinsic value of a species?

Importance of Wild SpeciesImportance 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?

Importance of Wild SpeciesImportance of Wild Species

Instrumental Value: based upon the usefulness of species (economic and ecological)

• Food crops• Fuels• Paper• Medicines• Genetic Information• Recreation (eco tourism)

Importance of Wild SpeciesImportance of Wild SpeciesWhy 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.

Intrinsic Value of Species 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?

Importance of Wild SpeciesImportance of Wild Species

Rebuilding biodiversity is slowInstrumental valueGenetic informationEco-tourismEcological valueIntrinsic value (biophilia)

Rebuilding biodiversity is slowInstrumental valueGenetic informationEco-tourismEcological valueIntrinsic value (biophilia)

Section 3 Key IdeasSection 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?

Causes of Depletion of Wild SpeciesCauses of Depletion of Wild Species

Human population growthHuman population growth

Endangered centers of biodiversityEndangered centers of biodiversity

Increasing per capita resource useIncreasing per capita resource use

Environmental destructionEnvironmental destruction

Spread of opportunistic speciesSpread of opportunistic species

Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild SpeciesCauses of Premature Extinction of Wild Species

Fig. 12-6 p. 231

Habitat Loss and DegradationHabitat Loss and Degradation

Greatest threat to species“HIPPO”

Habitat destruction Invasive speciesPopulation (humans) growthPollutionOverharvesting

Greatest threat to species“HIPPO”

Habitat destruction Invasive speciesPopulation (humans) growthPollutionOverharvesting

Species squeezed into smaller and more fragmented habitat

Habitat Fragmentation 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.

Bird ExtinctionsBird 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)

Bird ExtinctionsBird Extinctions

• Hooked on fishing lines• Collide with powerlines,

skyscrapers, wind turbines• Oil spills• Pesticides • Swallow lead from bullets

Bird ExtinctionsBird 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

Section 4 Key IdeasSection 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

Nonnative Species Deliberately IntroducedNonnative Species Deliberately Introduced

We depend upon nonnative species for:

• Economic systems

• Food

• Shelter

• Medicine

• AestheticsCorn, wheat, rice, livestock, etc.

(98% of food supply in U.S.)

Nonnative Species Deliberately IntroducedNonnative 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

Nonnative Species Deliberately IntroducedNonnative 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

Deliberately introduced species

Accidentally Introduced Species

Page 235

Accidentally Introduces SpeciesAccidentally 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

Accidentally Introduces SpeciesAccidentally Introduces Species

Accidentally Introduces SpeciesAccidentally Introduces Species

California Agriculture Checkpoint

Accidentally Introduces SpeciesAccidentally Introduces Species

Threats from Nonnative SpeciesThreats from Nonnative Species

ArrivalArrival

Roles of non-native speciesRoles of non-native species

Examples (p. 235)Examples (p. 235)

See Case Study p. 237See Case Study p. 237

Fig. 12-12 p. 238Fig. 12-12 p. 238

PreventionPrevention

Fig. 12-12 p. 238

Section 5-6 Key IdeasSection 5-6 Key Ideas

• What is the threat from poaching and hunting?

• Case study: Bushmeat

• What are other threats to endangered species?

• CNN Video

Bushmeat: such as gorilla head

Source of protein for local populations

Sometimes sold internationally

Other Extinction ThreatsOther Extinction Threats

Hunting and PoachingHunting and Poaching

Predators and Pest ControlPredators and Pest Control

Exotic Pets and Decorative PlantsExotic Pets and Decorative Plants

Climate Change and PollutionClimate Change and Pollution

Section 7 and 8 Key IdeasSection 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?

International Laws and TreatiesInternational 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)

U.S. LawsU.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

U.S. LawsU.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

U.S. LawsU.S. LawsESA:

• 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

U.S. LawsU.S. LawsESA:

• 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

Critical Habitat Designation 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

Private Property RightsPrivate 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 242-243

Private Property RightsPrivate Property RightsHow can the government

encourage private landowners to protect species?

• National Association of Homebuilders… How to Avoid ESA issues

• Habitat Conservation Plans

Protecting Wild Species: The Research and Legal ApproachesProtecting Wild Species: The Research and Legal Approaches

International Treaties: CITES and CBD International Treaties: CITES and CBD

U.S. National Laws: Lacey ActEndangered Species

Act

U.S. National Laws: Lacey ActEndangered Species

Act Habitat recovery plans Habitat recovery plans

Endangered Species ActEndangered 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 ApproachProtecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach

Wildlife refuges and protected areas Wildlife refuges and protected areas

Zoos and Aquariums Zoos and Aquariums

Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms

Reconciliation EcologyReconciliation Ecology

Establishing and maintaining new habitats Establishing and maintaining new habitats

Being good neighbors to wildlife Being good neighbors to wildlife

Reward voluntary conservation efforts Reward voluntary conservation efforts

See Case Study p. 248

Conservation: What Can I Do?Conservation: What Can I Do?

Fig. 12-16 p. 249

Extinction Hot Spots