1. Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species Chapter 7 Lesson 7.3

2. PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard 4.7.10.C Identify and explain why adaptations can lead to specialization.Identify and explain why adaptations can lead to specialization. Explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease.Explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease. Explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species.Explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species. Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.

3. Learning Objectives Students will explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease.Students will explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease. Students will explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species.Students will explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species. Students will identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered, or extinct.Students will identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered, or extinct.

4. Theme Outline Lesson 7.3 Survival of the Fittest Survival of the Fittest Human Impacts on Some Pennsylvania Species Human Impacts on Some Pennsylvania Species Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species Factors That Make Some Species More Prone to Extinction Factors That Make Some Species More Prone to Extinction Help for Threatened and Endangered Species Help for Threatened and Endangered Species

5. Survival of the Fittest Seen best through the eyes of Charles Darwin who formed the foundation for what we know about biodiversity and evolutionary biology.Seen best through the eyes of Charles Darwin who formed the foundation for what we know about biodiversity and evolutionary biology. English NaturalistEnglish Naturalist 1809–18821809–1882 Cartography ExpeditionCartography Expedition H.M.S. BeagleH.M.S. Beagle 1831-18361831-1836 Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands Variation among plants and animals first observed and recorded Charles Darwin

6. Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle “… populations of organisms over time change in response to the needs placed on them by the natural environment in which they live.” “… populations of organisms over time change in response to the needs placed on them by the natural environment in which they live.” Darwin said…

7. Natural Selection Definition : process that makes it more likely that organisms with the best characteristics for survival in a specific environment will survive, reproduce, and pass on their advantageous genetic traits to offspring Definition : process that makes it more likely that organisms with the best characteristics for survival in a specific environment will survive, reproduce, and pass on their advantageous genetic traits to offspring What is natural selection? Organisms produce more offspring than can survive to reproduce. Their offspring vary slightly. Characteristics can be passed on from generation to generation. Those most suited to their environment survive at the expense of those less 'fit'.

8. Conditions necessary for natural selection to occur The potential adaptation in question must be a trait that varies within a species.The potential adaptation in question must be a trait that varies within a species. The adaptation must be one that parents can passed on to their offspring genetically.The adaptation must be one that parents can passed on to their offspring genetically. One version of the adaptation must benefit the members that have it in a way that lets them survive and reproduce more than individuals who do not have the adaptation.One version of the adaptation must benefit the members that have it in a way that lets them survive and reproduce more than individuals who do not have the adaptation.

9. Human Impacts on Some Pennsylvania Species “Natural selection plays a large role in maintaining Earth’s biodiversity by stocking populations with individuals that are most likely to survive in a particular environment.” In other words, “Mother Nature” will take care of itself. Because variations exist, certain individuals within a species are usually able to adapt to environmental changes. However, if the environment is altered too much or too fast, even the “most fit” organisms may have difficulty adjusting.

10. Human Impacts Negative Impacts Habitat DestructionHabitat Destruction PollutionPollution (Water, Land, Air) (Water, Land, Air) Positive Impacts Habitat Restoration Species displaced or killed Habitat quality improved: Species survives/recovers

11. How can we maintain biodiversity? Protect entire ecosystems Protect entire ecosystems Protect specific species Protect specific species Manage game species Manage game species

12. Maintaining biodiversity Protect entire ecosystems. Protect entire ecosystems. More than 90 million acres in 450 individual refuges have been protected.More than 90 million acres in 450 individual refuges have been protected. First wildlife refuge established in Florida in 1903 to protect the brown pelican population.

13. Maintaining biodiversity Protect specific species. Protect specific species. Protect habitat that is critical to species’ survivalProtect habitat that is critical to species’ survival Captive breeding and reintroduction programs.Captive breeding and reintroduction programs. Example: California Condor, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey

14. Maintaining biodiversity Manage game species. Manage game species. Ensure that game species populations remain fairly stable.Ensure that game species populations remain fairly stable. Example. Deer & Bear populations in PA

15. Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species  What happens when ecosystems fail and alternations in ecosystems are too much for species to handle?  Classification of organisms in danger  Threatened  Endangered  Extinct

16. Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS) Who are they? Group of scientists, state and federal agency representatives, natural history museums, interested citizens.Group of scientists, state and federal agency representatives, natural history museums, interested citizens. What do they do? Help maintain Pennsylvania’s biodiversity by tracking and monitoring many plant and animals species, including species of concern.Help maintain Pennsylvania’s biodiversity by tracking and monitoring many plant and animals species, including species of concern. Coordinate surveys and research on Pennsylvania wildlife. Coordinate surveys and research on Pennsylvania wildlife. Produce publications designed to target public audiences Produce publications designed to target public audiences and focus on species conservation. and focus on species conservation. Example: 1985, Species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania Example: 1985, Species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania

17. Endangered Species Act (ESA) U.S. law passed in 1973.U.S. law passed in 1973. Governs the protection of species whose populations are in decline or could be in danger of extinction.Governs the protection of species whose populations are in decline or could be in danger of extinction. Forbids the hunting, killing, collecting, or harming of species listed as endangered or threatened.Forbids the hunting, killing, collecting, or harming of species listed as endangered or threatened. Forbids federal funding of projects that would threaten a species.Forbids federal funding of projects that would threaten a species. ESA: Categories of Classification  Threatened  Endangered  Extinct

18. Threatened Species Definition: species whose numbers are dwindling to a point at which the species could become endangered Rough Green SnakeRed-Bellied TurtleOsprey Showy Ladies SlipperBald Eagle

19. Endangered Species Definition: species that has so few individuals remaining that extinction is a possibility in the near future Delmarva Fox Squirrel Indiana Bat Short Eared Owl Atlantic Sturgeon Eastern Massasauga

20. Extinct Species Definition: species that no longer exists Passenger Pigeon Eastern Elk

21. Factors that increase the chance of extinction  Specific food requirements  Specific habitat or nesting requirements  High on food chains or food webs  Migration  Reproduces at a low rate  Limited Habitat Range  Interference with human activities

22. Specific food requirements Why is this a problem for some organisms? Some species eat very few foods. If habitat destruction or pollution destroys these food sources, populations can become vulnerable.Some species eat very few foods. If habitat destruction or pollution destroys these food sources, populations can become vulnerable. KoalaSnail Kite Panda Eucalyptus Apple Snails Bamboo

23. Specific habitat or nesting requirements Why is this a problem for some organisms? Some species live in only one area or type of area.Some species live in only one area or type of area. Kirtland’s warbler Jack pine trees, 6-15 yrs old Spotted Owl Old growth forests Pacific Northwest Tiger Salamander Fish-less ponds

24. Specific habitat or nesting requirements Why is this a problem for some organisms? Some species high on the food chain are vulnerable to problems, such as bioaccumulation.Some species high on the food chain are vulnerable to problems, such as bioaccumulation.

25. Specific habitat or nesting requirements Why is this a problem for some organisms? Species that migrate must depend on multiple habitats and are more vulnerable to environmental changes.Species that migrate must depend on multiple habitats and are more vulnerable to environmental changes. Monarch Butterfly Snow Geese Hoary Bat

26. Reproduction at lower rates Why is this a problem for some organisms? Some species have very few offspring when they reproduce. Populations grow slowly and recovery times are much longer than other species.Some species have very few offspring when they reproduce. Populations grow slowly and recovery times are much longer than other species. Giant Panda ElephantSharks

27. Interference with human activities Why is this a problem for some organisms? Some species have been killed, hunted, or poisoned by humans because they ruin crops, kill livestock, or have somehow become a nuisance.Some species have been killed, hunted, or poisoned by humans because they ruin crops, kill livestock, or have somehow become a nuisance. Grey Wolves American Alligator

28. So what can be done to help? Who is in charge? National Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Marine Fisheries Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service What do they do? Propose which species get added to and removed from the ESA listings.Propose which species get added to and removed from the ESA listings.

29. How fast is all this happening? Estimations are that extinction rates are 1,000 to 10,000 times their natural rate. Estimations are that extinction rates are 1,000 to 10,000 times their natural rate. Limited Success. Limited Success. About 40% of the species listed under ESA protection have stabilized or improved.About 40% of the species listed under ESA protection have stabilized or improved. What about the other 60% of species listed?What about the other 60% of species listed?