Transcript Species Preservation

Chapter 17:
Preserving Earth’s
Biological Diversity
What is a species?
Related terms
• Biological diversity: the # and variety of
organisms.
• Genetic diversity: variation within a
species.
• Species Diversity: the # of species
• Ecosystem diversity: variation within an
ecosystem.
I. How many Species are there?
• 99.95 % of species that have existed are now
extinct.
• ~1.8 million species identified at present.
• # may range from 5-100 million species, we
don’t know.
• 270,000 plant species
• 45,000 vertebrate species
• 950,000 insect species!
• 10,000 new species identified each year.
Why bother conserving?
• Why do we need all of
of these species?
• Can’t some be
eliminated without any
real consequences?
Ecosystem
Services
&
Organisms
II. Why we need organisms
Salix babylonica
Aspirin
The discovery of aspirin dates back to the 5th century B.C., when
Hippocrates used a powder from the bark of a willow tree to ease minor
pains, reduce fevers and to help with childbirth. The willow tree powder
was actually salicin, the pharmacological ancestor to the family of drugs
known as salicy
A. Ecosystem Services & Organisms
• Organisms provide essential ecosystem services.
• Ex: Bacteria and Fungi are decomposers that
cleanse and recycle nutrients within an ecosystem.
• Forests recharge groundwater, hold soil, act as a
Carbon sink.
Genetic Reserves
Maintaining a broad
genetic base is critical
for long-term health
and survival of a
species.
Scientific Importance of Genetic Diversity
Medicinal, Agricultural, &
Industrial Importance of
Organisms
Aesthetic, Ethical, & Spiritual
Importance of Organisms
Endangered & threatened
Species
• Extinction: the permanent loss of a species, therefore a
permanent loss in species diversity.
• There has always been low amounts of “background
extinction.” Occasionally, there are mass extinctions.
• Current rate of extinction is 100- 1,000 x the usual rate!
• Endangered species have populations that are so low
that they are in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant part of their range.
• Threatened species have numbers that are quite low.
Protected Species  Threatened species  endangered species  Extinct Species
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Endangered & threatened
Species
• Endangered & threatened species often have limited
natural ranges & low population densities.
• Endangered & threatened species may also have low
reproductive rates or very specialized nutritional or
reproductive requirements.
• Many island species are Endangered species.
• Habitat fragmentation: the break up of large areas of
habitat into small, isolated patches (islands) is a major
threat to the long-term survival of many species.
Species Preservation
Where are the greatest
problems?
• Tropical rain forests- Loss of 1 acre/sec.
• “Hotspots”- Small areas that contain many
species.
• 43% of all endangered species need wetland
habitat to live.
• 60,000 acres of wetlands are destroyed in the
US annually.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Most human activities contribute to a reduction in
biological diversity
• Habitat Destruction and fragmentation are the major
causes of the current decline in biological diversity.
• This loss of habitat reduces a species biological
range & ability to survive.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Biotic pollution: the introduction of
of a foreign species into an area
where it is not native.
Introduction of Exotic Species
• Humans have
accidentally and/or
intentionally imported
organisms to areas
where they have no
natural enemies leading
to the disruption of
existing ecosystems.
• Examples include the
Japanese beetle and the
Gypsy moth.
Introduction of Exotic Species
• Examples: Zebra Mussels,
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Exotic Species may compete with
native species for food or habitat
(niche) or may actually prey upon the
endemic species. (aka Invasive
species such as purple loosestrife)
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Pollution, such as acid rain, pesticides,
O3 depleting compounds, as well as
climate warming atmospheric
pollutants (CO2, CH4) contribute to the
decline of species.
• Major air pollutants include: carbon
monoxide, hydrocarbons, and
particulates.
• Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
combine with water vapor creating
acid rain problems.
Water Pollution
• Major water
pollutants include:
heat, sewage, and
chemicals such as
phosphates, heavy
metals, and
PCB’s.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Commercial harvest is the removal of live organisms from
nature. Illegal commercial trade of rare animals & plants
supplies a thriving black market, but regulated commercial
harvest may sustain species from an economic standpoint.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Uncontrolled hunting,
trapping, and fishing still
occur in many parts of
the world.
• The extinction of the dodo
bird and the passenger
pigeon resulted from such
activities.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
The last known
individual of the
species, a female
named Martha,
died in 1914 in the
Cincinnati Zoo
and is now on
display in the U.S.
National Museum
of Natural History.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Overexploitation of species: the
over hunting or harvesting of
species without regard to their
biotic potential.
Human Causes of Species Endangerment
• Efforts to eradicate a pest species or predator.
• Illegal commercial hunting has a great impact (especially on
larger animals. (K selected)
Species Warning signs…
• Bellwether species
(Sentinel species or
Indicator species)
• Ex. Amphibiams
Conservation biology
• The scientific study & protection of biological diversity.
• In situ conservation addresses loss of diversity in nature.
• Includes parks, sanctuaries, refuges, & other protected
areas.
• Restoration ecology attempt to restore a degraded area
(derelict lands) by applying ecological principles.
• Species population community ecosystembiome
Conservation biology
• Ex situ conservation addresses loss of
diversity in controlled settings &
involve captive breeding programs &
storing genetic material“Conservation in a human controlled
setting.”
• (Zoos, Aquaria, botanical gardens, and
seed banks are examples of Ex situ
conservation.)
Species Preservation
• Some efforts to sustain
endangered species have included
habitat protection (wildlife
refuges and national parks) and
wildlife management (game laws
and fisheries).
• Animals which were once
endangered are now successfully
reproducing and increasing their
numbers.
• Examples of endangered animals
which are responding to
conservation efforts and
beginning to make a comeback
are the bald eagle Haliaetus
leucocephalus and the peregrine
falcon Falco peregrinus .
Endangered Species Act
• Law enacted in 1973
• Protects endangered and threatened species
in the USA.
• Legal protection for about 1,200 species.
• Requires an “action plan” for recovery
• Has resulted in some economic distress
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• The peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus .
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http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/wildlife/pages/falconindex.htm
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Wildlife Management
• An applied field of
conservation biology that
focuses on the continued
productivity of plants &
animals.
• Involves the regulation of
hunting & fishing & the
management of food,
water, & other habitat
components.
• One species which is a
major problem in the Artic
is the snow goose- Very
adaptable!
Conservation organizations
• Various organizations help to
educate policy makers and the
public about the importance of
biological diversity.
Organizations also take direct
action in addressing the
problem.
• Sierra Club
• W.W.F.
• EarthFirst!
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• Greenpeace
Policies & Laws
• There are laws which regulate and guide the
use of natural habitats.
• Ex: SEQR- State Environmental Quality
Review Act
• A New York State law designed to provide
the opportunity for citizen review and
comment of the environmental impact of
any proposed development that has been
determined to have significant effect on the
environment.
What can we do about declining
biological diversity?
• Increase Public
Awareness
• The general public &
lawmakers must
become more aware of
the importance of our
biological heritage.
What can we do about declining
biological diversity?
• Support research in
Conservation Biology
• Funding must be
found for additional
research in both basic
& applied fields
relating to
conservation biology.
What can we do about declining
biological diversity?
• Support the establishment of
an International System of
parks with a minimum of
10% of the Earth’s land area.
What can we do about declining biological
diversity?
• Control pollution
which damages
humans as well as
other organisms.
What can we do about declining biological
diversity?
• Provide economic incentives
to landowners & other local
people to manage their lands
in an environmentally
sustainable way.
Ex: Ecotourism in Costa Rica
The End