Transcript Geography 12-Species Depletion-Powerpoint

Species Depletion
Eleanor Milne
Geography 12
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN)
• Most in-depth account of the global conservation status of
plants and animals
• Main authority on the conservation status of species
• Setup to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species
• Objective: convey the importance of conservation and to
reduce species depletion
ICNU Categorise
Extinct: last remaining member of the species is presumed
beyond reasonable doubt to have died.
• Examples: Dodo,Tyrannosaurus
Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no
free-living, natural population
• Examples: Alagoas Curassow
Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of
extinction in the immediate future
• Examples: Arakan Forest Turtle, Javan Rhino
Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near
future
• Examples: Blue Whale, Giant Panda,Tiger
ICNU Categorise
Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term
• Examples: Cheetah, Lion, Wolverine, Polar Bear
Conservation Dependent: not severely threatened, but the
animal depends on conservation programs.
• Examples: Spotted Hyena, Leopard Shark
Near Threatened: may be considered threatened in the near
future
• Examples: Small-clawed Otter, Tiger Shark
Least Concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the
species
• Examples: Wood Pigeon, Harp Seal
British Columbia
• Well over 3,800 species, has a richer biodiversity than any
other Canadian province
• Home to 76 % of Canada’s bird species, 70 % of its
freshwater fish species, as well as thousands of other
animals and plants
• Many species live mostly or only in the province, others use
it as an integral seasonal ground.
• An analysis of 3,808 species in the province discerned that
1,640 of them, 43 %, are at risk
• Has more endangered species than anywhere else in
Canada
British Columbia
• One of only two provinces that have almost no legal
protection for the species that are at risk.
• A meager 5 % of endangered species are protected legally.
• Many unique mammals, birds and plants are on the
endangered species list, including; the mountain caribou
(featured on the Canadian quarter), the Vancouver Island
marmot, the Swainson’s hawk, Lyall’s mariposa lily, the
chocolate-eyed spotted owl, and the marbled murrelet.
British Columbia
• Habitat loss: the greatest threat to BC’s species, affecting
86 % of those at risk.
Habitats threatened by: urban sprawl, deforestation,
introduction of non-native species, pollution (air/water), and
unrestrained development.
• Over-exploitation (over-hunting/fishing) also among the top
factors in species depletion.
• Species at risk concentrated in; southern Vancouver Island,
the Lower Mainland of south-western BC, the southern
Rocky Mountain Trench, and the Okanagan Valley.
British Columbia
Global warming: an emerging threat, posing new challenges
to conservation efforts
• Anticipated that global warming will become the new leading
cause of species depletion in future decades
• Changes in habitat may occur too quickly, inhibiting
adaptations, or may remove connections to remaining
habitat that would allow species to adapt
• The effects will be most austere in areas where species
already face challenges
What Can Be Done?
• BC needs to reinforce conservation achievements that have
been made thus far
Implement a strong provincial Protection Act
• This Act should: identify species and ecosystems at risk,
immediately protect the full habitat of listed species, and
restore species and ecosystems
What Can Be Done?
• Communities need to lobby for better legal protection for
BC’s endangered species
• Urge the provincial government to pass stand-alone
legislation that will protect endangered species and their
habitat
*Current regulations affecting endangered species do not to enough to
protect the those at risk
What Can Be Done?
The world needs to take a greater stand against
species depletions
• Financial support given to global conservation
groups
• A global contract to protect endangered species
What Can I Do?
Conserve Habitats
• Visit a nearby national park or nature reserve
• Obey the wildlife code: follow fire regulations, leave things
where you find them, do not litter
• Encourage family and friends to leave old trees on their
property
• Remove weeds and plant local native species in their place
Make Space For Our Wildlife
• Build a birdfeeder
• Plant a tree
• Build a birdhouse
• Start a compost
• Do not to use harmful chemicals
What Can I Do?
Recycle, Reduce, And Reuse
• Encourage your family to take public transportation
• Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car
• Turn off lights, radios and the TV when not in use
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
• Take your own bag to the store
Plant Native Plants That Are Local To The Area
• Plant native plants instead of non-native ones
*More likely to attract native species
What Can I Do?
Join An Organization
• Start/join a club and assist in conservation work
• Protect a threatened plant or animal in your area
• Make Your Voice Heard
• Tell your family and friends about threatened species and
how they can help
• Write to your local newspaper
• Call radio programs
Think About It
• BC and Alberta are at the tail end of endangered species
legislation
* Paramount when one considers that BC has the largest number of
species at risk in all of Canada!
• BC has tremendous biological wealth; a major contributing
element to why we think of our province as being the “Best
Place on Earth.”
• If British Columbians truly care about their wildlife they need
to act now. BC’s endangered species deserve our
immediate and long-lasting protection
Vancouver Island Marmots
• Exists only on Vancouver Island.
• Low numbers and localized distribution puts them at risk
• Have been restricted to small regions of suitable subalpine
meadow habitat
• Colonies must be small in order to live on such small
patches
• Average colony contains fewer than five adults.
• Some marmots are killed by predators (Cougars, Wolves,
Eagles)
• Many are unable to survive the winter, having been unable
to build up sufficient body fat to sustain them
Vancouver Island Marmots
• Colonies often weakened by disease, malnutrition and
parasites
• In response to these harsh conditions some marmots leave
their colonies to search for a new place to live
*Important because it provides an opportunity for colonies that are in
decline to re-colonize sites where marmots have disappeared
• The current marmot population concentrated on fewer than
a dozen mountains in a small area of about 150 square
kilometers on southern Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island Marmots
Northern Vancouver Island: causes of marmot
disappearances is mysterious
• Disease, climate change and chance have been contributing
factors
Habitat destruction thought not to have been a factor.
• Most of the colonies located within the fully protected
Strathcona Provincial Park
• Few colonies have been influenced by development
• Direct disturbance by humans is not factor: the remote
locations of the colonies are inaccessible to off-road
vehicles
Vancouver Island Marmots
Southern Vancouver Island: humans are a major factor in
the disappearance of the marmot
• Human activities have altered the marmots habitat.
• Hindered by forestry and road construction
• Forestry has not disrupted their natural subalpine meadow
habitat
*Marmots can live and reproduce in clear-cuts, populations actually
expanded after clear cutting
• It concentrates members in a small area
• Concentration makes them much more vulnerable to
predators, disease and the effects of local weather
Vancouver Island Marmots
Status:
• Analysis of known and potential colony sites from 19821986 asserted a population of up to 235 marmots.
• Counts repeated in the same areas from 1994-1998 turned
up only 71 to 103 marmots.
• At least 12 colony extinctions have occurred since the
1980s and only two new colonies were identified during the
1990s.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxmTZ02
FXg
Bibliography
• http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm
=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002604
• http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/
• http://www.davidsuzuki.org/default.asp
• http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/endangered-species
• http://www.cwsscf.ec.gc.ca/theme.cfm?lang=e&category=12
• http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
• http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list
/
• http://www.marmots.org/index.php
• http://www.arkive.org/vancouver-island-marmot
• http://www.endangeredspecie.com
THE END