1. Species Depletion Eleanor Milne Geography 12

2. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Most in-depth account of the global conservation status of plants and animals Main authority on the conservation status of species Setup to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species Objective: convey the importance of conservation and to reduce species depletion

3. ICNU Categorise Extinct: last remaining member of the species is presumed beyond reasonable doubt to have died. Examples: Dodo,Tyrannosaurus Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population Examples: Alagoas Curassow Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future Examples: Arakan Forest Turtle, Javan Rhino Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future Examples: Blue Whale, Giant Panda,Tiger

4. Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term Examples: Cheetah, Lion, Wolverine, Polar Bear Conservation Dependent: not severely threatened, but the animal depends on conservation programs. Examples: Spotted Hyena, Leopard Shark Near Threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future Examples: Small-clawed Otter, Tiger Shark Least Concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species Examples: Wood Pigeon, Harp Seal ICNU Categorise

5. British Columbia Well over 3,800 species, has a richer biodiversity than any other Canadian province Home to 76 % of Canada’s bird species, 70 % of its freshwater fish species, as well as thousands of other animals and plants Many species live mostly or only in the province, others use it as an integral seasonal ground. An analysis of 3,808 species in the province discerned that 1,640 of them, 43 %, are at risk Has more endangered species than anywhere else in Canada

6. British Columbia One of only two provinces that have almost no legal protection for the species that are at risk. A meager 5 % of endangered species are protected legally. Many unique mammals, birds and plants are on the endangered species list, including; the mountain caribou (featured on the Canadian quarter), the Vancouver Island marmot, the Swainson’s hawk, Lyall’s mariposa lily, the chocolate-eyed spotted owl, and the marbled murrelet.

7. British Columbia Habitat loss: the greatest threat to BC’s species, affecting 86 % of those at risk. Habitats threatened by: urban sprawl, deforestation, introduction of non-native species, pollution (air/water), and unrestrained development. Over-exploitation (over-hunting/fishing) also among the top factors in species depletion. Species at risk concentrated in; southern Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland of south-western BC, the southern Rocky Mountain Trench, and the Okanagan Valley.

8. British Columbia Global warming: an emerging threat, posing new challenges to conservation efforts Anticipated that global warming will become the new leading cause of species depletion in future decades Changes in habitat may occur too quickly, inhibiting adaptations, or may remove connections to remaining habitat that would allow species to adapt The effects will be most austere in areas where species already face challenges

9. What Can Be Done? BC needs to reinforce conservation achievements that have been made thus far Implement a strong provincial Protection Act This Act should: identify species and ecosystems at risk, immediately protect the full habitat of listed species, and restore species and ecosystems

10. What Can Be Done? Communities need to lobby for better legal protection for BC’s endangered species Urge the provincial government to pass stand-alone legislation that will protect endangered species and their habitat * Current regulations affecting endangered species do not to enough to protect the those at risk

11. What Can Be Done? The world needs to take a greater stand against species depletions Financial support given to global conservation groups A global contract to protect endangered species

12. What Can I Do? Conserve Habitats Visit a nearby national park or nature reserve Obey the wildlife code: follow fire regulations, leave things where you find them, do not litter Encourage family and friends to leave old trees on their property Remove weeds and plant local native species in their place Make Space For Our Wildlife Build a birdfeeder Plant a tree Build a birdhouse Start a compost Do not to use harmful chemicals

13. What Can I Do? Recycle, Reduce, And Reuse Encourage your family to take public transportation Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car Turn off lights, radios and the TV when not in use Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth Take your own bag to the store Plant Native Plants That Are Local To The Area Plant native plants instead of non-native ones *More likely to attract native species

14. What Can I Do? Join An Organization Start/join a club and assist in conservation work Protect a threatened plant or animal in your area Make Your Voice Heard Tell your family and friends about threatened species and how they can help Write to your local newspaper Call radio programs

15. Think About It BC and Alberta are at the tail end of endangered species legislation * Paramount when one considers that BC has the largest number of species at risk in all of Canada! BC has tremendous biological wealth; a major contributing element to why we think of our province as being the “Best Place on Earth.” If British Columbians truly care about their wildlife they need to act now. BC’s endangered species deserve our immediate and long-lasting protection

16. Vancouver Island Marmots Exists only on Vancouver Island. Low numbers and localized distribution puts them at risk Have been restricted to small regions of suitable subalpine meadow habitat Colonies must be small in order to live on such small patches Average colony contains fewer than five adults. Some marmots are killed by predators (Cougars, Wolves, Eagles) Many are unable to survive the winter, having been unable to build up sufficient body fat to sustain them

17. Vancouver Island Marmots Colonies often weakened by disease, malnutrition and parasites In response to these harsh conditions some marmots leave their colonies to search for a new place to live *Important because it provides an opportunity for colonies that are in decline to re-colonize sites where marmots have disappeared The current marmot population concentrated on fewer than a dozen mountains in a small area of about 150 square kilometers on southern Vancouver Island

18. Vancouver Island Marmots Northern Vancouver Island: causes of marmot disappearances is mysterious Disease, climate change and chance have been contributing factors Habitat destruction thought not to have been a factor. Most of the colonies located within the fully protected Strathcona Provincial Park Few colonies have been influenced by development Direct disturbance by humans is not factor: the remote locations of the colonies are inaccessible to off-road vehicles

19. Vancouver Island Marmots Southern Vancouver Island: humans are a major factor in the disappearance of the marmot Human activities have altered the marmots habitat. Hindered by forestry and road construction Forestry has not disrupted their natural subalpine meadow habitat *Marmots can live and reproduce in clear-cuts, populations actually expanded after clear cutting It concentrates members in a small area Concentration makes them much more vulnerable to predators, disease and the effects of local weather

20. Vancouver Island Marmots Status: Analysis of known and potential colony sites from 1982- 1986 asserted a population of up to 235 marmots. Counts repeated in the same areas from 1994-1998 turned up only 71 to 103 marmots. At least 12 colony extinctions have occurred since the 1980s and only two new colonies were identified during the 1990s.

21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxmTZ02 FXghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxmTZ02 FXg

22. Bibliography http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm =TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002604http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm =TCE&Params=A1ARTA0002604 http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/ http://www.davidsuzuki.org/default.asp http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/endangered-species http://www.cws- scf.ec.gc.ca/theme.cfm?lang=e&category=12http://www.cws- scf.ec.gc.ca/theme.cfm?lang=e&category=12 http://www.endangeredspecie.com/ http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list /http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list / http://www.marmots.org/index.php http://www.arkive.org/vancouver-island-marmot http://www.endangeredspecie.com

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