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Conservation Chapter 14 Slide 2 Wildlife Resources What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today? Slide 3 U.S. Species Diversity Slide 4 Decreasing Biodiversity 10-20% of species alive in 1975 were extinct in 2000 Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropical rain forests (many undescribed species) 40% of all species live in tropical areas Disappear along with forests Slide 5 Extinction Not New 99% of all species have gone extinct Gradual environmental changes have been responsible for most extinctions Rapid environmental changes from asteroids, etc. also have been important in many extinctions Slide 6 Extinction Rates Background (natural) rate of extinction Mass extinction Slide 7 Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity? 1) economics 2) aesthetics 3) ecological 4) ethics Slide 8 Cinchona Cinchona ledogeriana, South America Quinine for malaria treatment Slide 9 Rauvolfia Rauvolfia sepentina, Southeast Asia Tranquilizer, high blood pressure medication Slide 10 Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Europe Digitalis for heart failure Slide 11 Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia, Pacific Northwest Ovarian cancer Slide 12 Human Impacts on Biodiversity Slide 13 Flathead Lake, Montana Slide 14 Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species Slide 15 Human Activities That May Cause Extinctions Habitat disturbance/destruction Commercial hunting Predator and pest control Collecting for pets, zoos, research Pollution Introductions of exotic species Slide 16 Habitat Disturbance and Destruction California Condor Slide 17 Commercial Hunting Black Rhino Range in 1700 Range today (about 2,400 left) Slide 18 Predator and Pest Control African Elephant Probable range 1600 Range today (300,000 left) Slide 19 Collecting for Pets, Zoos, Research Slide 20 Pollution Bald Eagle - DDT Slide 21 Species Introductions Dodo Bird Zebra Mussel Slide 22 Threats from Nonnative Species Slide 23 Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity Species approach Ecosystem approach Slide 24 Protecting Wild Species: The Legal Approach International Treaties: CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species National Laws:ESA - Endangered Species Act Slide 25 Protecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach Wildlife refuges and protected areas - e.g. whooping cranes Zoos and Aquariums - captive breeding programs Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Slide 26 The Ecosystem Approach Biosphere reserves U.S. has >30 reserves - Yellowstone National Park - Great Smoky Mtns. National Park Other countries have similar reserves Slide 27 The Ecosystem Approach Slide 28 Bird Success Stories California Condor Whooping Crane Peregrine Falcon Canada Goose Wild Turkey