Transcript Endangered Species

Species at
Risk
Species at Risk
 Plant
and animal that has a low or
declining population
 May be at risk of extinction
 Species that is sensitive to human
disturbance and natural events
The Wildlife Act, 1998
 Saskatchewan’s
process of listing plants
and animals.
 Uses the same risk categories and
definitions as the Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC)
 Categories include: extinct, extirpated,
endangered, threatened, special
concern
Who is Responsible?

The province is responsible for ensuring that
species at risk are adequately protected.

The Wildlife Act, 1998


Species designated under this cannot be
distributed, collected, harvested, captured,
killed or exported.
The federal government is responsible for
national parks, federal community pastures
and First Nations reserve lands.

Species at Risk Act (SARA)

Habitats important to the survival and recovery
of these species at risk are protected.
Which Species are at Risk?
 There
are about 50 species considered at
risk in Saskatchewan’s grasslands.
 Mammals: Swift fox, Ord’s Kangaroo Rat
 Amphibians: Northern Leopard Frog,
Great Plains Toad, Eastern Yellow-bellied
Racer, Greater Short-horned Lizard.
Why are Species at Risk?
Habitat Loss
A
natural habitat is rendered functionally
unable to support species present.
 Organisms that previously used the site
are displaced or destroyed
Disappearing Habitat
 Most
animals and plants require
healthy, contiguous native
habitats
 Most are unable to live or
reproduce in cultivated, industrial
or urban landscapes
 Roads, buildings, pipelines and
other industrial developments can
reduce the amount of available
habitat
Habitat Destruction
 Ways
the people directly destroy habitat
 Examples: bulldozing trees, filling in
wetlands, dredging rivers, mowing fields,
and cutting down trees.
Habitat Degradation
 This
occurs when the habitat is still there,
but overuse or human activity has
affected the ability of that habitat to
support native animals and plants
Habitat Fragmentation
 Terrestrial
habitat is broken into fragments
by roads and development
 Aquatic habitat is broken into dams and
water divisions.
 Fragments may be too small to support
species to find mates and food.
Introduction of Exotic Species
 Species
that come from areas that they
are not native to.
 Can threaten species of that habitat by
competition for food and resources.
 Ex: Cane Toad
Over- Harvesting
 Hunting
has had a big impact on some
animal populations in the past

Ex: Bison
 Present
day hunting regulations minimize
over-harvesting of wildlife.
Persecution
 In
the past some species have been
persecuted because they were
considered a threat to livestock or
dangerous to people.
Isolation of Populations
 When
a population becomes isolated
from others it is at greater risk of diseases,
extreme weather (drought), and chance
mortality events.
 Isolation causes population to be less
genetically diverse
Disease
 Although
this is a natural
part of all ecosystems, this
can be magnified when
animal populations are
already low.
 Human diseases can
transfer into an area
where the wildlife is not
adapted to cope with.
Pesticides
 Chemicals
that are used to control insects
and weeds can have wide-ranging
effects on other wildlife.
 Today, the use of pesticides is regulated.
Human Disturbance
 Some
species are sensitive to human
activities and others are more tolerant.
Unknown Causes
 Exact
cause is unknown
Main drivers of habitat loss
 Agriculture
 Land
conversion for development
 Water development
 Pollution
 Global Warming
http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=c2e39ae
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