AP Environmental Mrs. Dow Chapter 12

Species extinction 12.1

1. LocalSpecies disappears from an area, found

elsewhere

2. Ecological# of species is low, cannot fulfill role

3. BiologicalSpecies disappeared from earth

Lost Natural Capital

Passenger pigeon

Great auk Dodo Dusky seaside sparrow

Aepyornis(Madagascar)

Figure 12-3aPage 226

Grizzly bear(threatened)

Arabian oryx(Middle East)

White top pitcher plant

Kirtland's warbler

African elephant(Africa)

Mojave desert tortoise (threatened)

Swallowtail butterfly

Humpback chub

Golden lion tamarin (Brazil)

Siberian tiger(Siberia)

Endangered Natural Capital

Figure 12-3b Page 226

West Virginiaspring salamander

Giant panda(China)

Knowlton cactus

Mountain gorilla(Africa)

Swamp pink

Pine barrens tree frog (male)

Hawksbill sea turtle

El Segundo blue butterfly

Whooping crane

Blue whale

Endangered Natural Capital

Figure 12-3c Page 227Florida manatee

Northern spotted owl (threatened)

Gray wolf Florida panther Bannerman's turaco (Africa)

Devil's hole pupfish

Snow leopard(Central Asia)

Black-footed ferret

Symphonia(Madagascar)

Utah prairie dog(threatened)

Ghost bat(Australia)

California condor

Black lace cactus

Black rhinoceros(Africa)

Oahu tree snail

Characteristic Examples

Low reproductive rate(K-strategist)

Specialized niche

Narrow distribution

Feeds at high trophic level

Fixed migratory patterns

Rare

Commercially valuable

Large territories

Blue whale, giant panda,rhinoceros

Blue whale, giant panda,Everglades kite

Many island species,elephant seal, desert pupfish

Bengal tiger, bald eagle,grizzly bear

Blue whale, whooping crane,sea turtles

Many island species,African violet, some orchids

Snow leopard, tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, rare plants and birds

California condor, grizzly bear, Florida panther

Going toward bio extinction Endangered

Too few in #Soon to be

extinct1st to go . . .

○ Big, slow, tasty, valuable

Passenger pigeon○ Overhunting;

habitat destruction

~21K species in U.S.

Fish

Mammals

Reptiles

Plants

Birds

34% (51% of freshwater species)

24%

20%

14%

12%

Greater extinction rates due to:

Biodiversity loss due to exponential growth “Hot spots” cause concern

Colonization sites are being eliminated

Importance of wild species 12.2 Speciation is being reduced Medicinal properties Genetic info from animals of value Recreational value Eco-tourism generates monies All species have important roles in

keeping environment balanced

Indian Tiger

Range 100 years ago

Range today(about 2,300 left)

Black Rhino

Range in 1700

Range today(about 2,400 left)

African Elephant

Probable range 1600

Range today(300,000 left)

Figure 12-7dPage 232

Asian or Indian Elephant

Former range

Range today(34,000–54,000 left)

Extinction Threats 12.3 Deforestation, loss of wetlands

Largest threat in tropical forests

Major habitat disturbances1. Agriculture

2. Commercial development

3. Water development

4. Outdoor recreation

5. Livestock grazing

6. Pollution

Endemic speciesFound nowhere else on EarthOften on islands

Habitat islandsHabitat surrounded by different one

Figure 12-8Page 233

Florida scrub jay

Sprague’s pipit Bichnell’s thrush Blacked-capped vireo Golden-cheekedwarbler

Cerulean warbler

California gnatcatcher Kirtland’s warbler Henslow’s sparrow Bachman’s warbler

Ten Most Threatened species of U. S. songbirds

Habitat fragmentationLeads to species vulnerability, disease1:6 birds are threatenedBirds excellent indicator; strong

environmental rolesNonnative species big threat to birds

Figure 12-9aPage 235

Purple looselife European starling African honeybee(“Killer bee”)

Nutria Salt cedar(Tamarisk)

Marine toad Water hyacinth Japanese beetle Hydrilla European wild boar(Feral pig)

Deliberately introduced Species

Concentration of rare species

Low Moderate High

Top Six Hot Spots

1 Hawaii2 San Francisco Bay area3 Southern Appalachians4 Death Valley5 Southern California6 Florida Panhandle

4

5

2

6

3

1

Figure 12-9b Page 235

Sea lamprey(attached to lake trout)

Argentina fire ant Eurasian muffleBrown tree snake Common pigeon(Rock dove)

Formosan termite Zebra mussel Asian long-hornedbeetle

Asian tiger mosquito Gypsy moth larvae

Accidentally introduced Species

Figure 12-10Page 236

1918

2000

Argentina Fire Ant

Extinction Threats from Nonnative species 12.4

May replace native Disrupt ecosystems Large economic loss

Characteristics ofSuccessful

Invader Species

• High reproductive rate, short generation time (r-selected species)

• Pioneer species

• Long lived

• High dispersal rate

• Release growth- inhibiting chemicals into soil

• Generalists

• High genetic variability

Characteristics ofEcosystems Vulnerable

to Invader Species

• Similar climate to habitat of invader

• Absence of predators on invading species

• Early successional systems

• Low diversity of native species

• Absence of fire

• Disturbed by human activities

Alien may be intro accidentally or deliberately

Threaten native speciesNo natural predators, competitors, pathogensFeral cats kill 568 million birds/yr

Controlling nonnative speciesStop from being introduced (best)Inspect imported goodsPrevent transfer w/international laws

Deer populations

Exploded in suburbs Edge species Kill more people in U.S. than any other

animal No good resolution Birth control? Sharp shooters?

2/3 live animals die in transit

Tiger populations low; killed for fur Black market demand increases

w/endangered label

Extinction threats from poaching & hunting 12.5 Killed for valuable parts Sold live

Very profitable

Indigenous people eat local animals8x increase in popLogging roadsRestaurants serve tropical animals

Less seed-dispersing animals

Other extinction threats 12.6 Gvt kills coyotes, prairie dogs, wolves,

bobcats (all prey on livestock)99% of prairie dogs have been eradicatedBlack-footed ferret preyed on prairie dog

Global trade Parrots Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Tropical fish

Ex-poachers in Thailand make more money with eco-tourism

Pollution

Climate change Global warming alters habitatsAnimals cannot adapt fast enough

North American-SouthAmerican flyways

European-Africanflyways

Asian flyways

Protecting wild species 12.7 1975 Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Protects 900 species from being traded &

restricts 29K that may become threatenedSome countries to not abide

Lacey Act of 1900Prohibits transporting live or dead wild

animals w/o federal permit

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA)Identified & illegally protects endangered

species in U.S. & abroadNational Marine Fisheries, U.S. Fish &

Wildlife Service identify & list Political pressure & lack of money limit ESA(2003) DOD is exempted from protection

lists

(1999) USFWS Safe harbor agreement

○ Landowners voluntarily restore, improve habitat

Many want ESA weakened

National Academy of Science/biologistsIncrease fundingRecovery plansSupport endangered for up to 50 yearsIdentify critical habitatsIncentives to those who protect

Protecting Wild Species 12.8 Sanctuary approach

542 federal refuges○ 1/5 of U.S. endangered & threatened species

Zoos & aquariums○ Egg pulling○ Captive breeding○ Artificial insemination

Reintroducing species into wildNot enough suitable landBreed in captivity not able to survive in wildRenewed overhunting of returned species

10,000+ need to continue evolution

Reconciliation ecology 12.9 Learn to share spaces we dominate Utilize native plants to attract animals Bio-diverse yards Rooftop gardens

Government land, college campuses, schools used for laboratories

What Can You Do?

Protecting Species

• Do not buy furs, ivory products, and other materials made from endangered or threatened animal species.

• Do not buy wood and paper products produced by cutting remaining old-growth forests in the tropics.

• Do not buy birds, snakes, turtles, tropical fish, and other animals that are taken from the wild.

• Do not buy orchids, cacti, and other plants that are taken from the wild.