1. BIODIVERSITY Ch 10

2. Why? Mainly because of the "HIPPO dilemma." abitat loss When people cut down forests, dig mines, build cities, or make roads, they destroy habitats - the places where plants and animals live. ntroduced species Seeds catch on people's clothes. Mice, rats, and birds hitchhike on ships. Snakes stowaway on airplanes. When these species land in new places, they often crowd out the species already there. ollution Acid rain destroys forests. Oil spills kill coastal plants and animals. Poisons wash into waterways. Plastic trash entangles wildlife. It's easy to see how pollution is a big problem for biodiversity. opulation growth Nearly 6 billion people live on Earth. Each year, we add 90 million more! All these people use resources for food, water, medicine, clothes, shelter, and fuel. This leaves fewer resources for Earth's species and habitats. ver-consumption Some people use more resources than others. For instance, one American uses as much energy as 422 people in Ethiopia! People everywhere must learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle Earth's resources. Adapted with permission from the "The HIPPO dilemma" from WOW! A Biodiversity Primer Educator's Guide published by World Wildlife Fund, ©1994.

3. Importance Indicator of healthy ecosystem Interconnectedness – Weakness in one species weakens entire ecosystem – Weakness in multiple ecosystems weakens biospere – Where is the tipping point? (JENGA analogy) Uses by humans for food, medicine and more Intrinsic, aesthetic value ecotourism – People appreciate this with ecotourism – and industry that revolves around people who visit to enjoy nature and scenery Wolves in Yellowstone video 4+ minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q

4. TED Talk on biodiversity and industry Sustainable biodiversity – 20 minutes. 6/2010 Talk by leader of WWF http://www.ted.com/talks/jason_clay_how_bi g_brands_can_save_biodiversity.html http://www.ted.com/talks/jason_clay_how_bi g_brands_can_save_biodiversity.html focuses on the way big businesses produces… moving toward less resources to produce more efficiently.

5. 3 Types of Biodiversity Genetic – Variations within one species i.e. some cardinals redder (more attractive to females), more fluffy feathers (better adapted to cold), etc. Genetic bottleneck: leads to a weaker species, as even when more members are bred, the variety was already narrowed This makes the species less flexible to withstand various changes in the environment Ecosystem Ie. Woodlands, prairies, wetlands, deserts, tropical forests, etc. Species – Most common reference – Multiple endemic species living in one ecosystem Opposite of biodiversity is… Monoculture – one single species in an area

6. Keystone Species More important to ecosystems than most other species Their loss would precipitate the collapse of the ecosystem Characteristics that can make a species a keystone species: – Structure builders (dams, burrows, etc (not nests, so much) that other organisms use for habitat – Apex predators – Specialty feeders (ex: otters) – Unique producers (provide food and habitat)

7. Gopher Tortoise – Keystone Species in Georgia Long Leaf Pine Ecosystem Keystone species link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IWw8Ruz8Uohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IWw8Ruz8Uo

8. Threats Habitat fragmentation and loss – It’s the #1 threat (causes 70% of species extinction) Fragmentation: – Interrupt river flow with dams – Interrupt migration resting areas (bird migration game) – Break up hunting areas Build roads or fences

9. Some Habitat fragmentation solutions Wildlife crossings http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/07/wildlife- crossings-around-world.html http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/07/wildlife- crossings-around-world.html Salmon ladders at dams Wildlife overpass in Banff National Park. Photo: Joel Sartore John Day dam on Columbia River in Idaho

10. Threats Exotic / invasive species – Take over niche of endemic species, upsetting balance – No natural predators – Organisms in an new area have not evolved defenses against invasive species Asian Carp Invasion news clip 7 min http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/beware-asian-carp-invasion-12329740 Examples : Cane Toads Kudzu Kudzu bugs Burmese pythons in Everglades Snake head fish (Chesapeake Bay) (~3 min.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU7etSYYqI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU7etSYYqI Zebra mussels (20 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtqb41CjQfchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtqb41CjQfc Lionfish (~3 min.) http://www.local10.com/news/Florida-eases-rules-for-capturing-killing-lionfish/-/1717324/16090568/-/wdy2giz/-/index.html http://www.local10.com/news/Florida-eases-rules-for-capturing-killing-lionfish/-/1717324/16090568/-/wdy2giz/-/index.html Snakehead Fish

11. Threats Animal Trafficking Poaching Hunting

12. Animal Trafficking “It’s just to have a pet no one else has. That’s what’s driving this market, “ said Thomas Brady, Federal Prosecutor on the case for the Japanese informant that complied with authorities to bring down the previously- mentioned Japanese smuggling ring. http://bushwarriors.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/busted-wildlife-smugglers%E2%80%99-arrests- prove-%E2%80%98snakes-on-a-plane%E2%80%99-isn%E2%80%99t-just-a-bad-movie/

13. poaching

15. According to National Geographic, over 25,000 elephants were killed last year, alone. The ivory from their tusks is an illegal trade.

16. Threats Pollution – Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs and other chemicals are making their way into food webs around the world – Solid waste – Fertilizers – in aquatic ecosystems…leads to Mutated frogs, due to chemicals in their water Frogs are indicator species, They absorb chemicals through their thin skin

17. Most vulnerable species 1.Limited resources Ex: panda eats only bamboo. If bamboo availability decreases, so does Panda population 2.Needs wide range Ex: Florida Panther’s hunting range is large Development (housing, agriculture and infrastructure) has fragmented range 3.Migrating species Rely on multiple habitats 4.Exploited by humans Over hunting, over fishing, poaching, etc.

18. Biodiversity hotspots 34 identified areas with high endemic (native, from the area) vascular plant biodiversity, over 70% reduced

19. Saving Species Preserving genetic material – Seeds, sperm, eggs or DNA – (12 min) http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-visit-to-the-doomsday-vault/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-visit-to-the-doomsday-vault/ Captive breeding – Genetic Bottleneck problem Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens – Conservation efforts at Atlanta Zoo http://www.zooatlanta.org/home/conservation_efforts http://www.zooatlanta.org/home/conservation_efforts – Frog conservation at Atlanta Botanical Gardens – http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org/conservation/amphibian-conservation http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org/conservation/amphibian-conservation – Day Center Butterfly Gardens at Callaway Gardens – http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do/attractions/day-butterfly-center http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do/attractions/day-butterfly-center – Georgia Aquarium conservation efforts – http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/support-us/conservation/ http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/support-us/conservation/ The above methods do not solve habitat destruction problem, so when organisms are released back into wild, they will face the same pressures. Day Butterfly center in Callaway Gardens, GA

20. Saving Species – Preserving Habitats Because of interconnectedness, large ranges must be preserved impractical Solutions: 1.Focus on biodiversity hotspots 2.ID areas of native habitat that can be preserved or linked (bear bridges, tunnels for water passage in everglades, etc.) 3.Promote products that have been harvested with sustainable practices – Ex: shade grown coffee

21. Legal Protection - USA Endangered Species Act – 1973 – Four provisions 1.Compile a list USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service) As of 2005, 1272 species listed 2.Endangered or threatened species may not be: Caught or Killed Uprooted from federal land Sold or traded (including body parts) 3.Feds may not carry out projects that jeopardize endangered species 4.Species recovery plan for each Often proposes protecting or restoring species habitat

22. controversies Northern Spotted Owl Forestry vs. endangered species

23. controversies Tellico Dam on Little Tennessee River Dam vs. endangered little fish: snail darter Dam won Snail darter population transported to nearby rivers

24. controversies Tipron Kangaroo Rat vs. farmer in Bakersfield, CA Farmer not allowed to plow his field

25. Legal Protections - International IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural resources – Over 200 gov’t agencies and 700 private conservation organizations – Redlists of endangered species worldwide – Sponsors conservation projects – Produces CITES (Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species) Worldwide ban on ivory trade

26. Legal Protections - International Biodiversity Treaty – Created at Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1992 – US objected to ratification – didn’t want to take species biodiversity into account when making economic and trade decisions

27. Private Conservation WWF – World Wildlife Fund – Wildlife protection – Encourages sustainable resource use Nature Conservancy – Buys up land for conservation – (Hyde Farm on Lower Roswell Road) Conservation International – – biodiversity hotspots and ecosystem conservation Greenpeace – Direct action – Controversial confrontations

28. Take-Away Balance human needs with conservation Ultimate win-win