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In four square miles of rainforest, one finds lots of biodiversity. There are approximately 750 species of trees 1500 different flowering plants 125 different mammals 400 species of birds 100 reptiles Countless insects 60 different amphibians 150 species of butterflies Slide 2 Terrestrial life in the Amazon Rainforest Slide 3 Layers of the Forest Slide 4 Emergent layer species Slide 5 Slide 6 Canopy layer species Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Slide 11 Understory species Slide 12 Slide 13 Slide 14 Slide 15 Slide 16 Slide 17 Slide 18 Many Amazon species are endemic. Endemic means they are found no other place on Earth!!! Slide 19 Threats to the Amazon Slide 20 Development and tradeclearing land to make room for buildings, or to sell lumber. Some (or most) is illegal. Slide 21 Poaching/Hunting Slide 22 Slide 23 Slide 24 Pollution Slide 25 Natural threats Fire caused by lightening Droughts Slide 26 Amazon endangered species: the Jaguar Slide 27 Slide 28 Threats to the Jaguar Hunted for its beautiful fur Destruction of habitat Loss of food source Slide 29 Why is it so important to protect the Amazon? The Rainforest provides ecosystem services, which are benefits to the global ecosystem like. Slide 30 help to control world climate. Slide 31 and pharmaceuticals. Slide 32 What do laws do? Laws make it a crime to harm or kill endangered animals. Laws make it a crime to destroy habitat of endangered species. Laws make it a crime to buy or sell animals or parts of animals that are at risk of becoming extinct. Laws can force those responsible for pollution to clean it up. Slide 33 Three Laws to Discuss Endangered Species Act (U.S.) United States law that provides for the listing of plants, animals, and insects that are threatened or endangered in order to protect them from further decline and attempt to bring about their recovery. Convention on Biological Diversity (International) International agreement among more than 170 countries (but not the United States) that expresses recognition of the value of the variety of life on Earth (biodiversity) and obligates member countries to take steps to conserve and protect that life. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (International) International agreement among more than 140 countries (including the United States) placing limits on buying or selling endangered or threatened species (plants and animals) and parts of these species. Slide 34 Endangered Species Act An emergency Room for species At risk Lists Endangered and Threatened Species Slide 35 Is the ESA enough? No. Global problems require global solutions. Slide 36 Convention on Biological Diversity Over 170 country members. U.S. has signed but is not a full member. Emphasizes conservation and sustainable use of components of biological diversity. Obligates countries to plan for conservation and establish protected areas. Slide 37 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) 140 member countries; U.S. is full member. Regulates trade in endangered or threatened species. Requires permits to import and export protected species or parts of them. Three Appendices, with different levels of protection. Slide 38 Appendix One Highest Level of Protection. Contains about 800 Endangered Species. Examples: African Elephant, Orangutan, Giant Panda, Tiger, Humpback Whale Slide 39 African Elephant (Endangered) Slide 40 Orangutan (Endangered) Slide 41 Giant Panda (Endangered) Slide 42 Tiger (Endangered) Slide 43 Humpback Whale (Endangered) Slide 44 Appendix Two Middle Level of Protection. Contains Threatened Species. Examples: American Black Bear, Hippopotamus, Gray Wolf, Flamingos, King Cobra. Slide 45 American Black Bear (Threatened) Slide 46 Hippopotamus (Threatened) Slide 47 Gray Wolf (Threatened) Slide 48 Flamingos (Threatened) Slide 49 King Cobra (Threatened) Slide 50 Appendix Three Not fully listed. Individual countries are asking for help in protecting the animals in their countries that arent yet threatened. Examples: Golden Jackal (India); Walrus (Canada); Goliath Heron (Ghana); Himalayan Marmot (India). Slide 51 Golden Jackal (Listed in India) Slide 52 Walrus (listed in Canada) Slide 53 Goliath Heron (listed in Ghana) Slide 54 Himalayan Marmot (listed in India) Slide 55 Stakeholder Activity Fishing Country versus No Fishing Country Slide 56 Recap