1. Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach Chapter 8

2. What role do humans play in the extinction of species? Section 8-1

3. Case Study:The Passenger Pigeon: Gone Forever Once most common bird in N. America! Extinct in 1914 Humans were responsible (huge flocks, narrow colonies = easy to kill: “stool pigeons”) Hunted for food, feathers, fertilizer

4. Passenger pigeon Great aukDodoDusky seaside sparrow Aepyornis (Madagascar) Some Prematurely Extinct Species No one knows how many have gone extinct due to human activities. 99% of all species that ever lived have gone extinct—5 major mass extinctions in geological time. But is this the 6 th and the first not caused buy abiotic factors?

5. Extinction Rates Current annual rate of species extinction is over 1,000 times the background rate according to conservative estimates of 0.1% to 1% per year. (There are around 8.7 million species + bacteria. “Normal” extinction rate is 1 species per million per year = 0.0001%). The annual extinction rate is projected to rise to about 1% per year- HIPPCO At a 1% extinction rate, 25% - 50% of the world’s current species could vanish by the end of this century. Human activities might help to increase the speciation rates for other rapidly reproducing opportunist species such as weeds, rodents, insects, which could further accelerate the extinction of other species

6. Endangered and Threatened Species Endangered species could soon become extinct over some or all of its range (about1200 in US) Threatened species still abundant, but likely to become endangered (about 300 listed in US)

7. Fig. 8-3, p. 154 CharacteristicExamples Low reproductive rate Blue whale, giant panda, rhinoceros Specialized niche Blue whale, giant panda, Everglades kite Narrow distribution Elephant seal, desert pupfish Feeds at high trophic level Bengal tiger, bald eagle, grizzly bear Fixed migratory patterns Blue whale, whooping crane, sea turtle Rare African violet, some orchids Commercially valuable Snow leopard, tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, rare plants and birds Large territories California condor, grizzly bear, Florida panther Characteristics of extinction- Prone species “The first animal species to go are the big, the slow, the tasty and those with valuable parts such as tusks and skins.” E.O.Wilson

8. Percentages of various species threatened with extinction due to human activities

9. Why should we care about the rising rate of species extinction? Section 8-2

10. Importance of Wild Species Natural services - air & water purification, nutrient cycling, pollination Economic Services - food, fuel, lumber, paper, medicine Genetic information- better ability to adapt to changing enviro. conditions Recreational pleasure and ecotourism - generates > $1million/min. Lion generates $ 515k over 7 years elephant worth about $1 million over 60 yrs May take nature 5 -10 million years to replace the species that may be lost in your lifetime Do species have an intrinsic right to exist? Even small organisms can be importantEVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED

11. Nature’s Pharmacy Bioprospectors – search for medicines from wild plants and animals 62% or all cancer drugs originated from wild species 9 of 10 leading Rx drugs originated from wild species < 0.5% of flowering plants in tropical forests studied for medicinal properties

12. How do humans accelerate species extinction? Section 8-3

13. Human Impacts on Extinction Rates Humans have greatly accelerated extinction rates (1,000 - 10,000x) remember HIPPCO ! Conservative estimates of 0.1% to 1% per year. (There are around 8.7 million species + bacteria. “Normal” extinction rate is 1 species per million per year). Extinction rates higher in biodiversity “hot spots” Speciation crisis (humans limiting long-term recovery of biodiversity via impacts on ecosystems, colonization sites for emergence of new species) Inadequate estimations of extinction rates Precautionary principle– “look before you leap”

14. How do humans accelerate extinction? Habitat destruction and fragmentation Invasive (alien) species Population growth (humans) Pollution Climate Change Overharvesting/overexploitation “HIPPCO”

15. Reductions in the ranges of four species

16. Extinction Threats from Habitat Loss and Degradation Importance of habitats--on average, a 90% habitat loss causes the extinction of 50% of the species living in that habitat Deforestation- particularly tropical forests = greatest eliminator of species Destruction of wetlands and coral reefs Endemic species- found nowhere else on earth “Habitat islands”- surrounded by different habitat (national parks, lakes, mt. tops) Habitat fragmentation - continuous area divided into small, scattered patches “Message” from the birds - 70% are declining, 1/8 threatened with extinction Birds are indicator species H+

17. Introduced Species Some introduced species beneficial: corn, wheat, rice, cattle, poultry are critical to U.S. food supply Many introduced species lack natural predators, competitors, parasites, or pathogens that help control numbers in original habitats Invasive species: Outcompete native species, trigger ecological problems, human health problems, economic loss Threaten 1/2 critical species in US (95% in Hawaii) I

18. Harmful invasive species I

19. Kudzu “the vine that ate the South” “The vine that ate the south” - grows up to a foot a day- engulfs everything in path, contributes to smog (emits NO): But, controls erosion edible, fiber for paper, medicinal (reduces desire for alcohol) I

20. Zebra mussels attached to a water current meter in Lake Michigan Zebra mussel displaces species depletes food supply clogs pipes jams ship rudders grows in huge masses on boat hulls, piers and other solid surfaces. I

21. Fire Ant Invasion Can wipe out 90% native ant population 2009 parasitic fly discovered as control: lay eggs in ant, maggots eat away ant brain causing their heads to fall off I

22. Reducing Threats from Nonnative Species $$$ Cost U.S. Taxpayers billions of dollars yearly Prevention is best Identify the characteristics of nonnative species Identify vulnerable ecosystems Thoroughly inspect imports Establish appropriate international laws Discharge of ballast waters from ships I

23. Fig. 9-16, p. 197 DDT in fish- eating birds (ospreys) 25 ppm DDT in large fish (needle fish) 2 ppm DDT in small fish (minnows) 0.5 ppm DDT in water 0.000003 ppm, or 3 ppt DDT in zooplankton 0.04 ppm Biomagnification of DDT Fat soluble chemicals increase in concentration at higher levels of food web DDT, mercury, lead, … P2P2

24. Where Have All the Honeybees Gone? Almost 1/3 of U.S. food supply comes from insect pollinated plants- honeybees responsible for 80% of food pollination Honeybee populations are in serious decline: In 2010 34% of all commercial bees in U.S. were lost Possible Culprits:pesticide exposure, virus, mites, fungal infection, poor nutrition (due to loss of forage plants), microwave radiation from cell phones & cell towers, invasion by killer bees, Pear orchards in China are now largely pollinated by hand $$$$ P2+P2+

25. Range change due to climate changes C Specialized organisms with small ranges may be unable to adapt to shifts in climate.

26. Extinction Threats from Poaching Profits of poaching Mt. gorilla = $150K; panda pelt = $100K;; rhino horn = $25k /Kg (most live animals die in transit) Causes of poaching: food, fur, pets, traditional medicines, trophies, eliminating pests, etc. Bushmeat Illegal pets and decorative plants orchids can fetch up to $5K; saguaro cactus $15K > 60 bird species are endangered or threatened due to wild bird trade keeping a bird indoors for more than 10 yrs doubles chances of getting lung cancer Irony of collecting exotics Attempts to control poaching O+

27. Illegal Selling, Poaching of Wild Species Live mountain gorilla is worth $150,000 Rhino horn worth $25,000 /pound White rhino Bushmeat: factor in reducing some populations of orangutans, chimpanzees, elephants, and hippopotamuses. O+

28. How can we protect wild species from extinction? Section 8-4

29. Protecting Wild Species International Treaties Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), 1975 signed by 175 countries that bans the hunting, capturing, and selling of threatened or endangered species. limited impact due to spotty enforcement, ability for countries to except themselves Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1993 legally binds governments to reverse decline of biodiversity ratified by 191 countries (not USA)- No severe penalties

30. Protecting Wild Species - U.S. Federal Laws Important on APES Exam Lacey Act (1900) - prohibits transporting live or dead wild animals or parts across state borders w/out federal permit. Endangered Species Act (ESA- 1973)- one of world’s toughest & controversial environmental laws. goal is to identify & protect endangered species in USA & abroad NMFS / USFWS responsible for identifying and listing endangered & threatened species illegal for Americans to buy any product made from protected species - species cannot be killed, collected or injured in US $100k fines and 1 year prison terms for offenses protection extended to threatened & endangered foreign species In 2011 there were 1,371 protected species (many critical species not yet listed)

31. Endangered Species ActImperfect enforcement Establishing critical habitats ESA requires protection of critical habitat for recovery of listed species BUT only 33% of listed species have critical habitat established Since 2001, gov’t has stopped listing new species & designating critical habitats unless mandated by court order. Habitat conservation plans 1982 amendment to ESA allows landowners, developers or loggers to destroy critical habitat if they take steps to protect members of species (set asides, paying to relocate, or buying suitable habitat elsewhere criticized as loophole - many plans approved without scientific evaluation ESA and commercial shipping all commercial wildlife shipments must leave or enter US via one of nine designated ports 60 USFWS inspectors examine only 25% of 90,000 yearly shipments violators often not prosecuted and pay only small fine

32. Confiscated Products From Endangered Species Due to sparse $$ and inspectors, < 10% of illegal wildlife trade in US is discovered

33. Marine Species: Sea Turtles 6 of World’s 7 sea turtle species are endangered or threatened. Poaching, degradation of beaches, litter, and threats from fishing nets

34. Marine Species: Whales 1.5 million whales killed from 1925 to 1975 8 of the 11 major species driven to commercial extinction blue whale driven to the brink of biological extinction Despite the ban on whaling, > 28,000 whales were killed between 1986 and 2010, mostly by the nations of Japan, Norway, and Iceland, which have openly defied the ban.

35. Great Pacific Garbage Patch plastic threatens millions of marine species “““Pacific Garbage Dump“Pacific Garbage Dump”“Pacific Garbage Dump” - Nightline Video - click herePacific Garbage Dump” - Nightline Video - click here Pacific Gryre Video - Pacific Gryre Video - Pacific Gryre Video - “Pacific Gryre Video - “Great Pacific Garbage PatchPacific Gryre Video - “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”Pacific Gryre Video - “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”- click here“Great Pacific Garbage Patch”- click here Great Pacific Garbage PatchGreat Pacific Garbage Patch- click

36. How Can We Protect Wild Species? The National Wildlife Refuge System: 553 refuges Gene / seed banks: >100 seed banks globally Botanical Gardens & Arboreta Farms for commercial sale: alligators, butterflies Zoos & Aquariums: captive breeding, egg pulling

37. Three big ideas We are greatly increasing the extinction of wild species via HIPPCO. We should avoid causing the extinction of wild species because of the economic and ecological services they provide, and because their existence should not depend primarily on their usefulness to us. We can work to prevent the extinction of species and to protect overall biodiversity by using laws and treaties, protecting wildlife sanctuaries, and making greater use of the precautionary principle.