1. 3.3 Human Impact on Diversity

2. What is an endangered species?
We are currently in a period of mass extinctions
1.5 million living species are endangered
Included birds, fish, plants, amphibians, mosses etc.
Golden Toad, last seen May 15, 1989

3. Definition
An endangered species is a species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction. The phrase is used vaguely in common parlance for any species fitting this description, but its use by conservation biologists typically refers to those designated Endangered in the IUCN Red List, where it is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations, following Critically Endangered.
There are currently 3079 animals and 2655 plants classified as Endangered worldwide, compared with 1998 levels of 1102 and 1197 respectively. The amount, population trend, and conservation status of each species can be found in the Lists of organisms by population. (Wikipedia)
The green sea turtle is an endangered species

4. Species Extinction
There have been many large and small scale extinctions in Earth’s past. Why is there so much concern now?
Rate of extinction is climbing
Rate of climate change is too fast for species to adapt
We can be pretty sure that this time humans are the cause of the extinctions, not a naturally changing cycle of the planet

5. Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat destruction
Invasive Species -Purple loosestrife
Pollution
Overexploitation – cod fishery
Climate change

6. Habitat loss Endangers 50% of all threatened species
Due to human activities
Housing, agriculture, industry, obtaining natural resources, transportation, fragmentation etc.
If species can’t adapt or move they will not survive

7. Invasive Species
A species that is introduced to an area where it is not native and has a harmful effect on the habitat
Usually because there are no natural controls (i.e. predators)
Can be intentional (e.g. kudzu vine) or accidental e.g. rats, zebra mussels, sea lamprey

8. Invasive Species
Emerald ash borer arrived in packing material from Asia
Kudzu vine imported from Japan to help control erosion

9. Pollution These are all man made effects:
Atmospheric pollution including green house gases and acid rain
Changing temperatures from green house gasses, industrial wastes
Toxic wastes (industrial effluent) in water (surface and groundwater) and soil
Agriculture wastes including fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification

10. Overexploitation Extinction is forever!
Between 1988 and 1995 the annual cod catch dropped from tons to tons
Cod fishery was closed in in 1995 and the cod stocks have not recovered enough since then to resume fishing

11. Some Potential effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity
Organisms cannot adjust to the rate at which climate change is occurring
Disease outbreaks (more insects, warmer winters)
Plant migration (grasslands replace boreal forests)
Animal migration (cold water fish moving)
Extreme weather (flooding, drought etc.)
Increased CO2 (increased temp., acid oceans)
Water quality/availability (esp. in arid regions)

12. Conserving Biodiversity
Ex-situ conservation
Protecting species by removing them from their natural habitat when that habitat is threatened or no longer exists, or the population is very small
Storing seeds, frozen cuttings, living specimens in botanical gardens or reserves
Zoos (especially for breeding programs), reserves
In-situ conservation
Protecting species in their natural habitats
Habitat restoration

13. How You can help Conserve Biodiversity
We can all try to reduce our ecological footprint (5.7 for the average Canadian!)
What else you can do:
Do not release alien plants or animals into the wild
Do not transport fruit, vegetables, plants or animals across international borders
Clean equipment i.e. fishing equipment, boat trailers
Do not transport wood over long distances
Keep natural habitats on your property