X. Global Declines in Genetic Diversity of Crops and Livestock Three Levels of Extinction Local Extinction-not found in parts of range/area it once inhabited but is found other places Ecological Extinction-numbers so low it can no longer fulfill niche in communities where it is found Biological Extinction-gone! Paths to Extinction 1. Endangered-so few individuals that the specie could soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range; they may soon disappear 2. Threatened-still abundant in natural range but many populations showing a decline Three Levels Ecological: Biological: gone B. Paths 1. Endangered: 2. Threatened: 3.Estimating Extinction rates: Three problems: 1) extinction takes a long time and 2) we have not even identified all species and 3) we know so little about most of these species Project rates in two ways: 1) look at rates of extinction since human record and compare to what the fossil record tells us about bird and mammal extinction rates 2) calculate species / area relationship using theory of island biogeography-90% loss of habitat causes 50 % extinction rate.

Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity Loss of Crop Diversity: Gene /Seed Banks: preserve genetic info and seeds in cool, low-humidity environs http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3960837n &tag=related;photovideo http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/1 1/colbert-mocks-glenn-becks_n_494651.html Loss of Livestock Diversity

XI. Why Preserve Species? Natural Capital: natural resources and natural services. Pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling filter water, food crops, lumber, fuel wood, paper, medicine (bioprospecting), ecotourism Ecosystem Services/ Instrumental Value: Pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, BEES: Colony Collapse Disorder Intrinsic Value: religious and philosophical beliefs that we have a moral obligation to preserve species Instrumental value Genetic info Intrisic ethical

Preserving Biodiversity Genetic Diversity and adaptation: Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat Islands: Habitat Corridors: Island Biogeography: a field within biogeography that examines the factors that affect the species richness of isolated natural communities Population Bottleneck:

Habitat Corridor

Habitat Island-Island Biogeography

XII. Solutions: Protecting Wild Species-Individual Species Approach Lacey Act: 1900/ prohibited transport of illegally harvested game animals across state lines CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. 1973; 175 countries. Red List (threatened species)that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or for their parts or products and restricts trade on thousands of plants and animal. Hard to enforce; much corruption.

Endangered Species Act (ESA): 1973 US law; one of the world’s most far-reaching and controversial environmental laws. Many amendments Designed to id and protect Endangered Species US Fish & Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service id and list plant and animal species Any decision to add or remove a species must be based on biological factors alone, not economic or political. Forbids federal agencies to carry out or fund a project that would jeopardize the a species or their habitat Can not buy or sell product made from species; can not hunt , kill, collect or injure USFWS and NMFS are suppose to prepare a plan / designate habitat to help each species recover

XII. Solutions: Protecting Wild Species-Ecosystem Approach Encouraging Private Land Owners Habitat Conservation Plans: allow landowners/developers to destroy habitat if they do something in exchange, i.e. relocate species or buying habitat elsewhere Safe Harbor Agreement: Landowners get financial and technical assistance to restore, improve or maintain habitat Habitat Corridors: : A is a strip of land that aids in the movement of species between disconnected areas of their natural habitat.

Sanctuary Approach: Wildlife Refuges: 544 world wide. many of which are wetland sanctuaries for migratory waterfowl or habitat for specific endangered species. Have been threatened by invasives and human activities like hunting and atv. Zoos and Aquariums: captive breeding, egg pulling, DNA analysis for mating Reconciliation Ecology: is the science of inventing, establishing and maintaining new habitats to conserve species diversity in places where people live, work or play; protecting wilderness, though necessary, is not enough to preserve biodiversity