1. “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

2. Endangered and Extinct Species
Sustaining Biodiversity

3. Species Extinction
Local extinction: when a species is no longer found in an area it once inhabited but is still found elsewhere in the world.
Ecological extinction: when so few members survive that the species no longer play its ecological role in their communities.
Biological extinction: when a species is no longer found on earth. This is forever.

4. Not yet extinct…
Vulnerable or threatened species: still abundant in its natural range but because of declining numbers is likely to become endangered.
Endangered species: has so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct over all or most of it natural range.

5. The Sixth Extinction
Background extinction rate: one species per million per year, or %
Conservative estimate on current extinction rate: 1,000 to 10,000 species per million per year, or 0.1% to 1%
If there are currently around 7 million species, how long would it take to lose half of them?

6. Could it be worse?

7. Is anything benefitting?

8. OK, soooo, what’s the big deal?
Rebuilding biodiversity takes a long time.
Economic value of species (instrumental value).
Recreational use (eco-tourism).
Intrinsic value.

9. Extinction Threats Habitat loss Greatest threat to wild species
Islands species are at greatest risk
Deforestation
Destruction of wetlands
Plowing of grasslands
Agriculture
Commercial development
Water development
Outdoor recreation (off-road vehicles)
Livestock grazing
pollution
Water Development

10. Extinction Threats Habitat Fragmentation
Large, continuous area of habitat is reduced, divided, scattered, or isolated.
Species at special risk…
Rare
Need to roam unhindered
Low reproductive capacity
Specialize niches
Divides species into smaller groups which make them more vulnerable.
Invasion of competitive species
Predators
Disease
Storms or fires
Barriers for dispersal and gene flow

11. Extinction Threats Poaching and Hunting
Two-third of animals illegally smuggled around the world die in transit.
Poverty is a contributing factor.
China: world’s largest consumer of wildlife
Bushmeat

12. Extinction Threats Predator Control
Exterminate species that compete with us for food and game animals.
Legal and illegal trade for exotic pets and plants
Climate change and pollution
Species can not adapt fast enough

13. Do you think these can be effective? Why or why not?
Is there any hope?
There are treaties and laws in place both nationally and internationally that try to protect and conserve endangered species:
1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Do you think these can be effective? Why or why not?