Chapter 16 Preserving Earth’s Biological Diversity

Your Responsibility… Read pages and take notes (use page 2 in your class notes) on the following topics: –Extinction, background extinction, mass extinction –State of extinctions today –Endangered species vs. threatened species –Characteristics of species that make them vulnerable –Endemic species & vulnerability to extinction –Habitat fragmentation –Biodiversity hotspots DUE NEXT CLASS!!

The Story of the Bald Eagle Only 417 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states in 1963 Listed as an endangered species in the ESA of 1973 Factors: 1. Clearing forests near lakes/rivers (habitat destruction) 2. Hunting (thought to have an impact on commercial fisheries) 3. Reproductive Failure (could not reproduce at high enough levels to ensure population growth) 1. Result of ingesting food contaminated with DDT Caused eggs to be thin shelled & cracked before embryos were mature Banning DDT (1972) started the recovery process 2. Mercury, lead and selenium were also environmental pollutants that harmed reproductive health 3. Captive breeding programs, removal of eggs from nests in nature, raising baby eagles in refuges

Results…… 1994 bald eagle removed from endangered list and transferred to threatened list More than 6,000 nesting pairs in 2002

How Many Species Are There? Estimate >5-10 million species 1.8 M organisms scientifically named and described 270,000 plant 45,000 vertebrate animal 950,000 insect

Biological Diversity/Biodiversity Variation among organisms…. Genetic diversity: genetic variety within all populations of a species Ecosystem Diversity: variety of interactions among organisms in natural communities –Ecosystem food web as well as the variety of ecosystems on Earth. SPECIES RICHNESS : The number of species present in the ecosystem.

Why do we need organisms? What do they do for us? –Pollinators, weed control, pest control, food, antibiotics, medicines, biological processes (N 2 Fixation) –Biological diversity represents a rich untapped resource for future uses and benefits –Ecosystem Services & Resources FIVE GOOD REASONS WHY WE NEED ORGANISMS…..

1. Ecosystem Services Important environmental functions that organisms within ecosystems provide Maintain the living world and we are completely dependent on these services »Forests provide lumber for us, but they also provide watersheds where we obtain fresh water, they reduce the # and severity of local floods, prevent soil erosion. »Flowering plants depend on insects for pollen transfer »Animals, fungi and microorganisms keep species population in check »Earthworms/bacteria maintain soil fertility & decomposition »Removal of organisms from a community makes an ecosystem run less smooth

American Alligator’s Ecosystem Services -Maintain small fish populations by eating the gar (eats small fish) -Dig underwater holes that other aquatic organisms use during periods of drought -Nest mounds eventually form small islands colonized by trees/plants, trees support bird populations.

2. Genetic Reserves –Maintenance of a broad genetic base is critical for long term health/survival Ex) Crops- genetic uniformity resulted in increased susceptibility to pests/disease –Crossing “super strains” with genetically diverse relatives disease and pest resistance can be introduced into plants »Ex) Corn Blight (1970) brought under control by crossing uniform US varieties with ancestral varieties from Mexico.

3. Scientific Importance of Genetic Diversity Genetic Engineering: the incorporation of genes from 1 organism into another species. Ex) Insulin: gene for insulin engineered into bacteria We do not have the ability to makegenes that encode for specific traits... We depend on millions of years of evolution to produce diversity!!!

4. Medicinal, Agricultural & Industrial Importance of Organisms A. Medicinal: derivatives of plants play important roles in the treatment of illness/disease Ex) AZT for treatment of AIDS is a synthetic derivative of a compound from a sponge B. Agricultural: number of different kinds of foods we eat is limited when compared with the total number of edible species. Many species that provide more nutrition are not commonly used. Ex) Quinoa from the Andes Mts. Looks and tastes like rice but has more protein and is more nutritionally balanced.

C. Industrial: modern industrial technology depends on genetic material from organisms. Plants are used in many products. Oils, lubricants, perfumes, fragrances, dyes, paper, lumber, waxes, rubber, elastic latexes, resins, poisons, cork, fibers D. Organisms: animals with characteristics or chemicals useful to humans Wool, silk, fur, leather, lubricants, waxes, transportation, medical research.

5. Aesthetic, Ethical & Spiritual Value of Organisms –Aesthetic: Provide recreation, inspiration & spiritual solace Artistry, poetry, writers, architects, musicians –Ethical: How humans perceive themselves in relation to other species Traditionally viewed as superior beings & exploited other forms of life for their benefit. (Western World View/Frontier Ethic) New view: organisms have intrinsic value on earth and humans should protect their existence (Deep Ecology View)

Go over… CLASS ASSIGNMENT Reading: R&B: p Address the following: – Extinction, Background Extinction, Mass Extinction – The state of extinctions today – Endangered Species, Threatened Species – Characteristics of species that make them more vulnerable to extinction – Why are Endemic species vulnerable to extinction? – Habitat Fragmentation - why is it a factor? – Why are Tropical Rainforests in trouble? – What are Biodiversity Hotspots & where are they?

CLASS BRAINSTORM….. WHAT ARE SOME HUMAN CAUSES OF SPECIES ENDANGERMENT? 1. Habitat Destruction, Fragmentation & Degradation. - Reduces a species’ biological range and ability to survive. 2. Invasive Species - Foreign species whose introduction can cause environmental/ ecological harm ex) Cats of Borneo 3. Pollution - Acid rain, ozone-depleting compounds, pollutants etc. 4. Overexploitation - Over hunted or over harvested animals (eradicate pest/predator or illegal commercial hunting)

Group Foldable: Conservation Biology Create your foldable follow my instructions. Everyone does: –The introduction section –Conservation Organizations Split up for the other sections: –Protecting Habitats –Restoring Habitats (part of 366) AND Zoos & Aquaria (all of 367) –Reintroducing Endangered Species –Seed Banks Remember: you have to know all of it!!!

FRONT BACK INTRODUCTION ZOOS & AQUARIA PROTECTING HABITATS REINTRODUCING ENDANGERED SPECIES RESTORING HABITATS SEED BANKS CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THESE ARE IN THE APPENDIX IUCN (World Conservation Union) WWF (World Wildlife Fund) GREENPEACE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION NATURE CONSERVANCY SIERRA CLUB INSIDE: Specifics for Introduction: DEFINITION GUIDING CONCEPTS IN-SITU EX-SITU Summarize the other sections Everyone does Introduction info & the Conservation Groups. Split the others among 4 people: 1. Protecting habitats 2. Restoring habitats & Zoos/Aquaria 3. Reintroducing Endangered Species 4. Seed Banks

Conservation Biology: Scientific study of how humans impact organisms and the development of ways to protect biological diversity Several concepts guide conservation biologists 1.A single large area of habitat is more effective at safeguarding species than several habitat fragments - Supports greater species richness 2.Areas of habitat that lack roads or are inaccessible to humans are better than human-accessible areas 3.More effective to preserve intact ecosystems than to work on preserving individual species one at a time 4.Assign a higher priority to preserving areas that are more biologically diverse than other areas

In Situ Conservation: includes the establishment of parks, reserves, concentrates on preserving biological diversity in nature. –With increasing demands on land, in situ conservation cannot guarantee the preservation of all types of biological diversity. Ex Situ Conservation: conserving biological diversity in human-controlled setting. Breeding of captive species in zoos and the seed storage of diverse plant crops

Conservation Policies & Laws Endangered Species Act Habitat Conservation Plans US Biological Resources Discipline International Conservation Policies

1973 – Endangered Species Act FWS now can protect threatened/endangered species –1260 species have been listed to date. Illegal to sell/buy any product made from an endangered or threatened species. FWS must also select critical habitats and design a detailed recovery plan for each species listed. –They basically find the same information you researched for your brochure. Considered one of the strongest pieces of US environmental legislation –Species are listed ONLY using biological information… economics cannot influence the list.

…the ESA is CONTROVERSIAL! Advocates: doesn’t do enough for the species! Critics: goes too far to hurt private landowners! Can be an impediment to economic progress. –Northern spotted owl & the timber industry in Pacific NW (ch.3) Few endangered species have recovered enough to be delisted! (only 8 as of 2002) –We ARE expecting several dozen to be delisted in the next years. Geared more toward saving a few popular species rather than the many important less-glamorous species! –1995: more than ½ of the funding went to helping just 10 species. Should manage whole ecosystems and maintain complete biodiversity rather than help just 1 species.

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) Resolved conflicts between protection of ES and development interests on private property Landowner may “take” a rare species if the taking doesn’t threaten the survival or recovery of the species on that property –As long as the landowner provides habitat, he is permitted to develop other parts of the property Controversial: some say it could contribute to extinction!

US Biological Resources Discipline (BRD) 1993; now part of US Geological Survey (USGS) Provides information & technologies to manage and conserve biological resources on federal lands Published report: Status and Trends of the Nation’s Biological Resources 1 st comprehensive assessment of plants, animals and ecosystems in the US. –Shows how biological resources are changing –Identifies invasive species –Details conservation problems that need to be addressed

1975 – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora & Fauna “CITES” –Attempts to control international trade in End. Species –160 countries –Bans hunting, capturing, and selling endangered or threatened species –Regulates trade of potentially threatened organisms –Problem: enforcement & penalties aren’t universal or strong –Example: African Elephants They can ruin the habitat, but should we allow the ivory trade again? International Conservation Policies & Laws

CITES ISSUES African Elephants

CITES ISSUES Sources: TRAFFIC International, Tigers

1980 – World Conservation Strategy Created by: –I–IUCN (World Conservation Union) –W–WWF (World Wildlife Fund) –U–UN Environment Program Conserves Biodiversity Seeks to preserve the vital ecosystem processes on which all life depends for survival Develop sustainable uses of organisms and the ecosystems they make up

1992 – Biological Diversity Treaty … at the “Earth Summit” 186 nations signed it –Each signed nation must: Inventory its own biodiversity Develop a national conservation strategy, a detailed plan for managing & preserving the biodiversity of that country

Wildlife Management

Is an applied field of conservation biology that focuses on the continued productivity of plants and animals. Includes: –Regulation of hunting & fishing –Management of food, water, & habitats

Wildlife Management Often differs from Conservation Biology… –Focuses on maintaining populations of specific species (cons. bio: managing whole communities to ensure biodiversity) –Regulates an area by population control & habitat manipulation Lack of Predators = populations of squirrel, duck, and deer can go above carrying capacity!! Ex: Sport Hunting of Deer (Population Control) –Lack of predators has increased the deer population… wildlife managers keep the high population in-check. Ex: Prescribed Burning of Forests (Habitat Manipulation) –Yellowstone Case Study –Effectively controlling the stage of Ecological Succession

PRESCRIBED BURNING Source: Low intensity prescribed burn in the lower App Mts.

Wildlife Management Managing Migratory Animals Require international agreements! Flyways must be protected! Protect wetlands, which are important breeding, resting, and feeding grounds Case-in-Point: Arctic Snow Geese

Fly- ways Sources: The Nutty Birder SydneyOlympicPark.com.au

Wildlife Management Managing Aquatic Organisms –Commercial Fishing: Regulate time of year, size of catch, max # caught Natural habitats are maintained to maximize population size Ponds/Lakes/Streams are restocked from hatcheries –Remember Tragedy of the Commons??? –Commercial Extinction: so few remained that it was unprofitable to hunt them (whales)

Many whale species are commercially extinct & threatened or endangered… 1946 International Whaling Commission –Set an annual limit on whales taken –Populations remained on the decline Finally, a moratorium was enacted in –It’s working! Populations of most whales are growing… The gray whale has even been reclassified as threatened! 1994 – Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (Antarctic) was created Whaling

Norway & Japan continue to whale, despite the moratorium & designation of the sanctuary Ironic twist: –Japan found high levels of heavy metals & pollutants in the whale meat sold in their markets… –Bioaccumulation had been occurring… low concentrations of pollutants in the water increase in concentration inside the whales’ bodies Up to 70,000 times the level of pollutants in the water! Occurs in other species as well…

What can WE do about declining biodiversity?? Increase public awareness Support research in conservation biology Support the establishment of an international parks system Control pollution Provide economic incentives to landowners and other local people

THE LORAX Assume the little boy is a highly-motivated AP student, and has successfully re-created the original ecosystem that the Lorax and all his friends once loved. Everyone’s back, and the environment is back to its original health. Invite the Once-ler back, but give him strict instructions on a sustainable development plan that will work without harming the environment. Use everything you know about sustainable development to create this plan. Relate the following to your sustainable development plan: Environmental worldviews Optimal level of pollution / marginal cost Natural income, natural capital, sustainable yield

MEDICINE MAN MOVIE Watch Medicine Man & relate the information presented in the movie to the information learned in this unit (Chapters 4, 5, 16, & 7).