Transcript Endangered Species

Endangered Species
Objectives: Explain how fish and wildlife become extinct,
rare, endangered, or threatened. Discuss recovery
strategies used to manage a specific endangered
species. Explain the importance of saving an
endangered species.
“ The last word in ignorance is the man who
says of an animal or plant: What good is it?
If the land mechanism as a whole is good,
then every part is good, whether we
understand it or not… Who but a fool would
discard seemingly useless parts? To keep
every cog and wheel is the first precaution
of intelligent thinking” –Aldo Leopold
Endangered Species Act


The Endangered Species Act was passed in
1973 by congress and signed by president
Richard Nixon
The ESA was developed in an effort to
reduce the increasing rate of extinction of
plants and animals in the United States
Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is
charged with the task of
identifying species of
plants and animals and
classifying them.
Classifications



Extinct Species are no longer living on the
earth.
Endangered Species are those that are in
danger of becoming extinct unless they are
protected
Threatened Species are those that are likely
to become endangered in the future unless
conservation measures are taken
Classifications



Species of Concern are those that need to be
monitored because there are factors that may
cause them to become threatened or
endangered
Candidate Species are those not currently
listed as threatened or endangered but may
be as information is gathered
Rare Species are those that only exist in
small numbers.
Terms


Critical Habitat is an area required for a
species’ normal needs and survival
Take is defined as to harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, trap, kill, capture, or collect a
listed species
Alabama Threatened or Endangered
Species



Alabama ranks 4th in the nation in the number
of threatened or endangered species.
As of 2005 there are 5 mammals, 4 birds, 6
reptiles, 1 amphibian, 12 fish, 40
invertebrates, and 18 plants.
The high number of species is probably due
to the natural diversity of the state.
Gray Bat
Mammal
Endangered
Indiana Bat
Mammal
Endangered
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
Bird
Endangered
Wood Stork
Bird
Endangered
Bald Eagle
Bird
Threatened
Alabama Red Bellied Turtle
Reptile
Endangered
Flattened Musk Turtle
Reptile
Threatened
Gopher Tortoise
Reptile
Threatened
Eastern Indigo Snake
Reptile
Threatened
Red Hills Salamander
Amphibian
Threatened
Gulf Sturgeon
Fish
Threatened
Alabama Beach Mouse
Perdido Key Beach Mouse
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
What causes Endangerment?

Species become Endangered due to:
-Threats to Habitat
- Limited Range
- Physical or Biological Factors (like disease
or food supply)
Why save them?


Each species plays a role in the environment,
a species’ extinction could adversely effect
other species.
Also, we must ensure that this planet is
enjoyable for future generations.
Recovery Strategies





The Bald Eagle was on the endangered
species list not long ago, but efforts have
been made to bring it back.
Several factors contributed to it’s decline.
DDT
Nesting ground disturbances
Reduced habitat
Recovery Strategies



Any strategy must first account for the
animals’ food sources, cover, and range.
With the Bald Eagle, DDT was outlawed
There habitat and nesting grounds are now
protected