Transcript In four square miles of rainforest, one finds lots of

In four square miles of rainforest,
one finds lots of biodiversity.
There are approximately…
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750 species of trees
1500 different flowering plants
125 different mammals
400 species of birds
100 reptiles
Countless insects
60 different amphibians
150 species of butterflies
Terrestrial life in the Amazon
Rainforest
Layers of the Forest
Emergent layer species
Canopy layer species
Understory species
Many Amazon species are
endemic.
Endemic means
they are found no
other place on
Earth!!!
Threats to the Amazon
Development and trade—clearing land to make room
for buildings, or to sell lumber. Some (or most) is
illegal.
Poaching/Hunting
Pollution
Natural threats
• Fire caused by lightening
• Droughts
Amazon endangered species:
the Jaguar
Threats to the Jaguar
• Hunted for its beautiful fur
• Destruction of habitat
• Loss of food source
Why is it so important to
protect the Amazon?
The Rainforest
provides ecosystem
services, which are
benefits to the global
ecosystem like….
…help to control world
climate….
…and pharmaceuticals.
What do laws do?
• Laws make it a crime to harm or kill endangered
animals.
• Laws make it a crime to destroy habitat of
endangered species.
• Laws make it a crime to buy or sell animals or
parts of animals that are at risk of becoming
extinct.
• Laws can force those responsible for pollution to
clean it up.
Three Laws to Discuss
• Endangered Species Act (U.S.) United States law
that provides for the listing of plants, animals, and
insects that are threatened or endangered in order
to protect them from further decline and attempt to
bring about their recovery.
• Convention on Biological Diversity
(International) International agreement among
more than 170 countries (but not the United States)
that expresses recognition of the value of the
variety of life on Earth (biodiversity) and obligates
member countries to take steps to conserve and
protect that life.
• Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (International) International
agreement among more than 140 countries
(including the United States) placing limits on
buying or selling endangered or threatened species
(plants and animals) and parts of these species.
Endangered Species
Act
An emergency
Room for species
At risk
Lists Endangered
and Threatened
Species
Is the ESA enough?
No. Global problems
require global
solutions.
Convention on Biological
Diversity
• Over 170 country members. U.S. has
signed but is not a full member.
• Emphasizes conservation and sustainable
use of components of biological diversity.
• Obligates countries to plan for
conservation and establish protected
areas.
Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild
Flora and Fauna (CITES)
• 140 member countries; U.S. is full member.
• Regulates trade in endangered or threatened
species. Requires permits to import and export
protected species or parts of them.
• Three Appendices, with different levels of
protection.
Appendix One
• Highest Level of Protection. Contains
about 800 Endangered Species.
• Examples: African Elephant, Orangutan,
Giant Panda, Tiger, Humpback Whale
African Elephant (Endangered)
Orangutan (Endangered)
Giant Panda (Endangered)
Tiger (Endangered)
Humpback Whale (Endangered)
Appendix Two
• Middle Level of Protection. Contains
Threatened Species.
• Examples: American Black Bear,
Hippopotamus, Gray Wolf, Flamingos,
King Cobra.
American Black Bear (Threatened)
Hippopotamus (Threatened)
Gray Wolf (Threatened)
Flamingos (Threatened)
King Cobra (Threatened)
Appendix Three
• Not fully listed. Individual countries are
asking for help in protecting the animals in
their countries that aren’t yet threatened.
• Examples: Golden Jackal (India); Walrus
(Canada); Goliath Heron (Ghana);
Himalayan Marmot (India).
Golden Jackal (Listed in India)
Walrus (listed in Canada)
Goliath Heron (listed in Ghana)
Himalayan Marmot (listed in India)
Stakeholder Activity
“Fishing Country” versus
“No Fishing” Country
Recap