*Endangered Species project due Wednesday December 11th (not the 9th) *If you scored below 30 on the multiple choice section for the Unit 3 test, you should come in during 7th and figure out why you are missing so many questions.
Chapter 11: Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach
Three Types of Species Extinction 1. Local extinction: species no longer found in an area it once inhabited, but still found elsewhere in the world. *often involves losses of one or more populations of species. Why?? 2. Ecological extinction: so few left that no longer fulfill ecological role. 3. Biological extinction: no longer found anywhere on earth. (Is it forever?)
Endangered v. Threatened Species Endangered species: so few individual survivors that species could soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range Threatened species (vulnerable species*): still abundant in natural range but declining numbers and is likely to become endangered in the near future.
Characteristics of species that are vulnerable to extinction: "The first animal species to go are the big, the slow, the tasty, and those with valuable Other parts examples: such as tusks and skins". -Edward O. Wilson Behavioral characteristics Nesting in large flocks Key deer
Given 11-4, explain 11-5. December 05, 2013
Estimating extinction rates 3 problems: 1. Extinction takes a long time: Not easy to document 2. Only 1.4 million of 4-100 million species 3. Know little about most of species
Estimating extinction rates Methods: 1. Compare fossil records of extinction with current rates of extinction since humans have arrived > Underestimate: World's threatened species published in Red List. Only assessed known species, not all species on earth. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/120501_habitatloss
Estimating extinction rates Methods: 1. Compare fossil records of extinction with current rates of extinction since humans have arrived. 2. Species-area relationship: observe how # of species present increases with size of area > On average, 90% habitat loss = 50% species loss > *Theory of island biogeography > "islands" of habitat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:sar%28species-area_curve%29.gif
Estimating extinction rates Methods: 1. Compare fossil records of extinction with current rates of extinction since humans have arrived. 2. Species-area relationship: observe how # of species present increases with size of area 3. Models to estimate risk based on factors: > population size > habitat availability > interactions with other species > genetic factors
Estimating extinction rates Methods: 1. Compare fossil records of extinction with current rates of extinction since humans have arrived. 2. Species-area relationship: observe how # of species present increases with size of area 3. Models to estimate risk based on factors: *Regardless of estimate, it is clear that human activity has increased rate of extinction. Rate is increasing. **0.1% v. estimated 0.0001% before humans Conservative estimate > rate of species loss and biodiversity loss will increase because of projected human pop. growth > rates higher in hot spots than global average > humans are eliminating, degrading, and simplifying environments that serve as sites for speciation *speciation crisis > *May increase speciation for r-selected species. Erosion in variety of species but not #?
Importance of Wild Species Mass extinctions have occurred in the past. Why are we so concerned about it now? -It will take 5 million years for natural speciation to rebuild the biodiversity
Importance of Wild Species Value of biodiversity Instrumental value: usefulness > Ecological services > Economic services > Example: Bats > Bioprospecting > Genetic information (evolution and genetic engineering) > recreation, ecotourism (pros and cons) Ecotourism Pros Cons
Importance of Wild Species Value of biodiversity Intrinsic or existence value > ethical responsibility to protect species > Biophilia > plants v. animals > pests v. other organisms? > microorganisms
HIPPO! Causes of premature extinction * H: I: P: P: O:
Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation is the greatest threat to wild species. 1. deforestation of tropical rain forest 2. degradation of coral reefs and wetlands 3. plowing of grasslands 4. pollution of streams, lakes, oceans *Temperate biomes more affected than tropical biomes because of economic development in temperate countries. *Shift to tropical biomes http://www.bio.miami.edu/ecosummer/lectures/lec_biomes.html
Island species, endemic species, and habitat islands Endemic species = found only in one place Habitat islands: Any habitat surrounded by a different one national parks, nature reserves > surrounded by human activity freshwater lakes Habitat fragmentation: large area reduced in area, divided into habitat islands block migration routes divide populations into isolated groups (*genetics!) > more vulnerable to predators, competitive species, storms/fire limit ability to expand population limit resources
December 05, 2013 What kinds of species are vulnerable to extinction because of habitat fragmentation? rare need to roam low reproductive capacity specialized niche valuable to humans http://gdb.voanews.com/320c67aa-7ad8-4908-b4eb-1dd43140249b_mw1024_n_s.jpg http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/gallery/132_b.jpg
Case Study: Birds 70% of world's 9775 species of birds are declining, 1/8 threatened Why? Remember, forests are the most affected by human activities. deforestation lumber palm plantation (Indonesia) frams/ranches (Brazil)
2. Introduction of nonnative species 3. Capture for pets 4. Death associated with fishing 5. Loss of wetlands 6. Collision with power lines, towers (1 million / year in US from glass windows) http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/images/pre-2008/mallard_fishing_line.jpg 7. Oil spill, pesticides, herbicides, lead pellets and sinkers 8.*Climate change Environmental indicators Live in every climate, biome, easy to track, respond quickly to changes http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm
Ivory-billed woodpecker Thought to be extinct Sighted in Arkansas 2005 Birds are important: control populations of rodents and insects pollinators spread seeds http://audubon.nyhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ivorybilledwoodpeckerdama
Invasive Species December 05, 2013
Causes of premature extinction: 1. Population growth > affluenza > pollution (pesticides-ddt) Biomagnification in birds December 05, 2013
Causes of premature extinction: 1. Population growth > affluenza > pollution (pesticides-ddt) Biomagnification in birds 2. Climate change > Too fast for adaptation? http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm
Causes of premature extinction: 1. Population growth > affluenza > pollution (pesticides-ddt) Biomagnification in birds 2. Climate change > Too fast for adaptation? 3. Overexploitation > wildlife product* (Poverty) http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm
Causes of premature extinction: 1. Population growth > affluenza > pollution (pesticides-ddt) Biomagnification in birds 2. Climate change > Too fast for adaptation? 3. Overexploitation > wildlife product* (Poverty) 4. Killing predators and pests 5. Exotic pets and plants http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/whatis.htm
Bushmeat: hunted wildlife growing population + supply to restaurants logging roads = access not enough fish Local extinction of species depletes food for predators Disease (HIV, ebola)
Assignment: In groups of 4, you will plan, write, and perform a short skit (~3 minutes) about one of the strategies to protect biodiversity. Everyone must participate Some ideas: PSA announcements (think Smoky the Bear), commercials, a movie preview, documentary style (National Geographic, Planet Earth, etc.), debate Use your book for information. *You may use your phones as a source of information but if I catch you on Facebook, Snapchat, or texting your BFF I will take it away. Grading 5 points for information 2 points for creativity Extra credit points: > 2 points for making Ms. K laugh > 2 points for class "favorite"-no, you may not vote for yourself. Harassing classmates for votes = negative points.
Topics: International Treaties ESA (general) ESA (private landowners) Wildlife Refuges Gene banks/botanical gardens Zoos and aquariums Reconciliation Ecology December 05, 2013