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Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach Chapter 9

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Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach. Chapter 9. Core Case Study: The Passenger Pigeon: Gone Forever. Passenger pigeon hunted to extinction by 1900 Commercial hunters used a "stool pigeon” Archeological record shows five mass extinctions - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

Chapter 9

Page 2: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Passenger pigeon hunted to extinction by 1900

Commercial hunters used a "stool pigeon”

Archeological record shows five mass extinctions

Human activities: hastening more extinctions?

Core Case Study: The Passenger Pigeon: Gone Forever

Page 3: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Passenger Pigeon

Page 4: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Degrading and destroying biodiversity in many parts of the world and these threats are increasing : 83% of the earth’s land surface

filling in wetlands, converting grasslands and forests to crop fields and urban areas

Species are becoming extinct 100 to 1,000 times faster than they were before modern humans arrived on the earth (the background rate), and by the end of this century, the extinction rate is expected to be 10,000 times the background rate.

Human role in premature extinction…….

Page 5: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Human activity has disturbed at least half of the earth’s land surface◦ Fills in wetlands◦ Converts grasslands and forests to crop fields

and urban areas

Degraded aquatic biodiversity

Human Activities Are Destroying and Degrading Biodiversity

Page 6: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

continuous low level of extinction extinction rate : expressed as a percentage or

number of species that go extinct/per million species per year 1/1,000,000=.000001 or .0001% ( estimated extinction rate before humans came on the scene)

Background Extinction……….

Page 7: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Premature extinctions due to◦Habitat destruction◦Overhunting

Some Human Activities Cause Premature Extinctions; the Pace Is Speeding Up

Page 8: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Conservative estimates of extinction = 0.01-1.0%◦Growth of human population will increase this loss◦Rates are higher where there are more endangered

species◦Tropical forests and coral reefs, wetlands and

estuaries—sites of new species—being destroyed

Speciation crisis

Some Human Activities Cause Premature Extinctions; the Pace Is Speeding Up

Page 9: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Animal Species Prematurely Extinct Due to Human Activities

Page 10: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Lost Natural capital

Fig. 9-2, p. 185

Passenger pigeon

Great auk Dodo Golden toad Aepyornis (Madagascar)

Page 11: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Effects of a 0.1% Extinction Rate

Page 12: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-3, p. 186

Number of species existing Effects of a 0.1% extinction rate

5 million 5,000 extinct per year

14 million 14,000 extinct per year

50 million 50,000 extinct per year

100 million 100,000 extinct per year

Number of years until one million species are extinct

2000 50 100 150

Page 13: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Endangered species – has so individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct over all or most of it’s natural range

Threatened species - abundant in natural range , but numbers declining

Endangered and Threatened Species Are Ecological Smoke Alarms

Page 14: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Endangered Natural Capital: Species Threatened with Premature Extinction

Page 15: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-5, p. 188Stepped Art

Fixed migratory patterns

Blue whale, whooping crane, sea turtle

Feeds at high trophic level

Bengal tiger, bald eagle, grizzly bear

Narrow distribution

Elephant seal, desert pupfish

Commercially valuable

Snow leopard, tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, rare plants and birds

Low reproductive rate (K-strategist)

Blue whale, giant panda, rhinoceros

Characteristic Examples

Rare African violet, some orchids

Large territories California condor, grizzly bear, Florida panther

Specialized niche

Blue whale, giant panda, Everglades kite

Page 16: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Percentage of Various Species Threatened with Premature Extinction

Page 17: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Three problems◦ Hard to document due to length of time◦ Only 1.8 million species identified◦ Little known about nature and ecological roles of species identified

Document little changes in DNA

Use species–area relationship

Mathematical models

Science Focus: Estimating Extinction Rates Is Not Easy

Page 18: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

We should prevent the premature extinction of wild species because of the economic and ecological services they provide and because they have a right to exist regardless of their usefulness to us.

Why Should We Care about Preventing Premature Species Extinction?

Page 19: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Instrumental value◦Use value Ecotourism: wildlife tourism Genetic information

◦Nonuse value Existence value Aesthetic value Bequest value

Ecological value

Species Are a Vital Part of the Earth’s Natural Capital

Page 20: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Natural Capital Degradation: Endangered Orangutans in a Tropical Forest

Page 21: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Endangered Scarlet Macaw is a Source of Beauty and Pleasure

Page 22: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Natural Capital: Nature’s Pharmacy

Page 23: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

1989 international treaty against poaching elephants

Poaching on the rise

Track area of poaching through DNA analysis of elephants

Elephants damaging areas of South Africa: Should they be culled?

Science Focus: Using DNA to Reduce Illegal Killing of Elephants for Their Ivory

Page 24: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Intrinsic value: existence value

Edward O. Wilson: biophilia (inherent kinship with the natural world)

Biophobia – against certain organisms

Are We Ethically Obligated to Prevent Premature Extinction?

Page 25: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Vulnerable to extinction◦Slow to reproduce◦Human destruction of habitats

Important ecological roles◦Feed on crop-damaging nocturnal insects◦Pollen-eaters◦Fruit-eaters

Unwarranted fears of bats

Science Focus: Why Should We Care about Bats?

Page 26: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

The greatest threats to any species are (in order) loss or degradation of its habitat, harmful invasive species, human population growth, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.

How do Humans Accelerate Species Extinction?

Page 27: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation

Invasive (nonnative) species Population and resource use growth Pollution Climate change Overexploitation

Loss of Habitat Is the Single Greatest Threat to Species: Remember HIPPCO

Page 28: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Causes of Depletion and Premature Extinction of World Species

Page 29: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-10, p. 193

NATURAL CAPITAL DEGRADATION

Underlying Causes• Population growth

• Rising resource use• Undervaluing natural capital• Poverty

Direct Causes• Habitat loss • Pollution • Commercial hunting and poaching• Habitat degradation and fragmentation

• Climate change • Sale of exotic pets and decorative plants

• Introduction of nonnative species

• Overfishing• Predator and pest control

Causes of Depletion and Premature Extinction of Wild Species

Page 30: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Natural Capital Degradation: Reduction in the Ranges of Four Wildlife Species

Page 31: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Tropical Biologist Bill Laurance, et al.- edges of forest fragments invaded by vines which take over

How large must a forest fragment be in order to prevent the loss of rare trees? – within 100 meters of the edge of a forest fragment 36% of the biomass of old growth trees is lost within 10-17 years

Science Focus: Studying the Effects of Forest Fragmentation on Old-Growth Trees

Page 32: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Habitat loss and fragmentation of the birds’ breeding habitats◦Forests cleared for farms, lumber plantations, roads,

and development

Intentional or accidental introduction of nonnative species◦Eat the birds

Case Study: A Disturbing Message from the Birds

Page 33: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Seabirds caught and drown in fishing equipment

Migrating birds fly into power lines, communication towers, and skyscrapers

Other threats◦ Oil spills◦ Pesticides◦ Herbicides◦ Ingestion of toxic lead shotgun pellets

◦ Climate Change

Case Study: A Disturbing Message from the Birds

Page 34: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Distribution of Bird Species in North America and Latin America

Loss of 93% of Brazil’s coastal rain forest

Page 35: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Vultures poisoned from diclofenac in cow carcasses

More wild dogs eating the cow carcasses

More rabies spreading to people

Science Focus: Vultures, Wild Dogs, and Rabies: Unexpected Scientific Connections

Page 36: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Most species introductions are beneficial◦Food◦Shelter◦Medicine◦Aesthetic enjoyment

Nonnative species may have no natural◦Predators◦Competitors◦Parasites◦Pathogens

Some Deliberately Introduced Species Can Disrupt Ecosystems

Page 37: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Some Harmful Nonnative Species in the United States

Page 38: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-14a, p. 199

Deliberately Introduced Species

Purple loosestrife

European starling

African honeybee (“Killer bee”)

Nutria Salt cedar (Tamarisk)

Marine toad (Giant toad)

Water hyacinth Japanese beetle

Hydrilla European wild boar (Feral pig)

Page 39: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

7100 harmful invasive species introduced into the US

Fig. 9-14b, p. 199

Page 40: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-14b, p. 199

Accidentally Introduced Species

Sea lamprey (attached to lake trout)

Argentina fire ant

Brown tree snake

Eurasian ruffe Common pigeon (Rock dove)

Formosan termite Zebra mussel Asian long-horned beetle

Asian tiger mosquito

Gypsy moth larvae

Page 41: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Fig. 9-14, p. 199Stepped Art

Deliberately introduced species

Purple loosestrife

European starling

African honeybee (“Killer bee”)

Nutria Salt cedar (Tamarisk)

Marine toad (Giant toad)

Water hyacinth

Japanese beetle

Hydrilla European wild boar (Feral pig)

Accidentally introduced species

Sea lamprey (attached to lake trout)

Argentina fire ant

Brown tree snake

Eurasian ruffe

Common pigeon (Rock dove)

Formosan termite

Zebra mussel

Asian long-horned beetle

Asian tiger mosquito

Gypsy moth larvae

Page 42: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Imported from Japan in the 1930s

“ The vine that ate the South” – might spread as far as the Great Lakes by 2040 if climate change (global warming) occurs

Could there be benefits of kudzu? – source of food, for making paper

Case Study: The Kudzu Vine

Page 43: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Kudzu Taking Over an Abandoned House in Mississippi, U.S.

Page 44: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Argentina fire ant: 1930s◦Pesticide spraying in 1950s and 1960s worsened

conditions

Burmese python –imported as a pet from Southeast Asia. Dumped in the Everglades. By 2100 in most of southern US

Some Accidentally Introduced Species Can Also Disrupt Ecosystems

Page 45: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Argentina Fire Ant Accidentally Introduced into Mobile, Alabama, U.S.

Page 46: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Prevent them from becoming established

Learn the characteristics of the species

Set up research programs

Try to find natural ways to control them

Prevention Is the Best Way to Reduce Threats from Invasive Species

Page 47: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Characteristics of Invader Species and Ecosystems Vulnerable to Invading Species

Page 48: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

What Can You Do to Control Invasive Species ?

Page 49: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Population growth Overconsumption Pollution Climate change

Other Causes of Species Extinction

Page 50: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Pesticides◦DDT: Banned in the U.S. in 1972

Bioaccumulation

Biomagnification

Other Causes of Species Extinction

Page 51: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification

Page 52: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Honeybees responsible for 80% of insect-pollinated plants; 110 commercially grown crops; 1/3 US fruit and vegetable crops

30% drop in population

Dying due to?◦Pesticides◦Parasites◦Bee colony collapse syndrome

Case Study: Where Have All the Honeybees Gone?

Page 53: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Environmental impact on polar bears◦Less summer sea ice◦PCBs and DDT

2007: Threatened species list

Case Study: Polar Bears and Global Warming

Page 54: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Polar Bear with Seal Prey

Page 55: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Poaching and smuggling of animals and plants◦Animal parts◦Pets◦Plants for landscaping and enjoyment

Prevention: research and education

Illegal Killing, Capturing, and Selling of Wild Species Threatens Biodiversity

Page 56: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

White Rhinoceros Killed by a Poacher

Page 57: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Indigenous people sustained by bush meat

More hunters leading to local extinction of some wild animals

Rising Demand for Bush Meat Threatens Some African Species

Page 58: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Bush Meat: Lowland Gorilla

Wealthy patrons of some restaurants regard gorilla meat as a source of power and status

Page 59: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

We can use existing environmental laws and treaties and work to enact new laws designed to prevent species extinction and protect overall biodiversity.

We can help to prevent species extinction by creating and maintaining wildlife refuges, gene banks, botanical gardens, zoos, and aquariums.

According to the precautionary principle, we should take measures to prevent or reduce harm to the environment and to human health, even if some of the cause-and-effect relationships have not been fully established, scientifically

How Can We Protect Wild Species from Premature Extinction?

Page 60: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

1975: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)◦Signed by 172 countries

Convention on Biological Diversity (BCD)◦Focuses on ecosystems◦Ratified by 190 countries (not the U.S.)

International Treaties Help to Protect Species

Page 61: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Endangered Species Act (ESA): 1973 and later amended in 1982, 1983, and 1985

Identify and protect endangered species in the U.S. and abroad

Hot Spots

Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) colony

Case Study: The U.S. Endangered Species Act

Page 62: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Mixed reviews of the ESA◦Weaken it◦Repeal it◦Modify it◦Strengthen it◦Simplify it◦Streamline it

Case Study: The U.S. Endangered Species Act

Page 63: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Confiscated Products Made from Endangered Species

Page 64: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Species listed only when serious danger of extinction

Takes decades for most species to become endangered or extinct

More than half of the species listed are stable or improving

Budget has been small

Science Focus: Accomplishments of the Endangered Species Act

Page 65: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Suggested changes to ESA◦Increase the budget◦Develop recovery plans more quickly◦Establish a core of the endangered

organism’s survival habitat

Science Focus: Accomplishments of the Endangered Species Act

Page 66: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

1903: Theodore Roosevelt- Pelican Island , Florida – brown pelican

Wildlife refuges -547◦Most are wetland sanctuaries- trumpeter swan◦More needed for endangered plants◦Could abandoned military lands be used for

wildlife habitats?

We Can Establish Wildlife Refuges and Other Protected Areas

Page 67: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Gene or seed banks◦Preserve genetic material of endangered plants by

storing their seeds in refrigerated, low humidity environments

Botanical gardens and arboreta◦Living plants- 1/3 rd of the world’s species

Farms to raise organisms for commercial sale

Gene Banks, Botanical Gardens, and Wildlife Farms Can Help Protect Species

Page 68: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Techniques for preserving endangered terrestrial species◦Egg pulling◦Captive breeding◦Artificial insemination◦Embryo transfer◦Use of incubators◦Cross-fostering

Zoos and Aquariums Can Protect Some Species

Page 69: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

What Can You Do? Protecting Species

Page 70: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Largest North American bird

Nearly extinct◦Birds captured and breed in captivity

By 2007, 135 released into the wild◦Threatened by lead poisoning

Case Study: Trying to Save the California Condor

Page 71: Sustaining Biodiversity:  The Species Approach

Species: primary components of biodiversity

Preservation of species

Preservation of ecosystems

The Precautionary Principle