Setting Species Priorities

Setting Species PrioritiesPurpose:The purpose of this activity is to get you to think like a conservation biologist by setting conservation priorities by allocated funds in the best possible way. Conservationists work with a limited budget with a limited time making it impossible to stop the decline of all endangered species. They must decided where best to devote their time and resources depending on the information they have at hand.

Activity:You have been given $5 million dollars for conservation efforts. Out of the 5 species presented on the cards, you must decide which species to conserve and how. Will you buy up native habitat to turn into a reserve? Will you spend money trying to capture all the wild individuals left of a species and place in a zoo for research? Will you spend money on captive breeding and reintroduction programs? Will you spend money on translocation? Will you work with private land owners? Hire individuals to enforce logging and poaching bans?

Decide with your group:1. Which species will be saved2. The amount of money that you will spend on each species chosen to conserve and how you will spend this

money.3. The justification of these choicesYou will present your present your priorities to the class

For reference:• It costs $50 to adopt one acre of land (the size of an American football field), the average clear cut of a forest is

27, 000 acres.• The annual cost of the California condor captive breeding program is $2 million dollars a year.• $9.7 million dollars was spent on the conservation plan for the endangered Northern spotted Owl.

The Polar BearUrsus Maritimus

• The polar bear is found in the Arctic Circle.• The polar bear is the world’s largest land carnivore and one of world’s largest bears.• The polar bear has a narrow ecological range, which means it can only survive in a very specific

ecosystem. • It is adapted for cold weather, moving across ice and snow and hunting for seals.

Things to consider:• In 2006, the polar bears was listed as vulnerable species in the USA and Special Concern in

Canada.• It is predicted that in the next 45 years, polar populations will be reduced by 30% mainly due to

global warming.• The greatest threat to polar bears due to global warming is habitat loss. • Polar bears are negatively affected by anthropogenic pollutants such as PCBs and pesticides.• Oil and gas development in the Arctic can cause oil spills which kill polar bear prey.• Polar bears are important indicator of Arctic health, their health is a sign of the health of the

Arctic.• Polar bears are a symbol of Canada and they have given an image to conservation . The WWF has

chosen polar bears as a 'charismatic' species selected to act as an symbol for conservation efforts.

The Vancouver Island MarmotMarmota vancouverensis

• The Vancouver Island marmot naturally occurs only in the high mountains of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

• Marmots are the largest members of the squirrel family.• The Vancouver Island marmot lives in burrows and is a herbivore. Things to consider:• This marmot is listed as endangered in Canada and it is one of the world’s rarest

species.• This species only exists in Canada.• Forest clearing has removed much of its habitat.• So few individuals of The Vancouver Island marmot are left in the wild that this species

can now only survive with human intervention.

Leatherback Sea TurtleDermochelys coriacea

• The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all living sea turtles and the fourth largest reptile.• This species of turtle does not have a bony shell like other turtles, instead it has thick leathery

skin with bony scales.• This turtle species has points on its upper lip with backward spines instead of teeth.• These turtles are seen as unique among reptiles because they can main high body

temperatures by generating their own heat.

Things to consider:• This species is listed as endangered in Canada.• The leatherback sea turtle is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys.• The leatherback sea turtle is the only living member of the family Dermochelyidae.• Exploitation of turtle nests and the capture of its eggs in most countries is the most

significant factor associated with its population declines. Many countries consider the Leatherback sea turtle’s eggs to be a delicacy.

• Many different countries are trying to save this turtle in many different ways.

Goldenseal(Hydrastis canadensis)

• Goldenseal is a perennial herb found in the buttercup family.• Goldenseal is native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States.• A Goldenseal’s stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below the ground.

Things to consider:• Goldenseal is listed as threatened in Canada.• Goldenseal populations are in decline due to timber production, urban development

and the expansion of agricultural land.• Goldenseal has many medicinal values. It is used as a topical antimicrobial, a digestion

aid, and may remove canker sores. • Goldenseal was used in the past as a cure for cancer. More research is needed to be

done to see if it can be a modern cancer remedy.

Fungus SpeciesAlbatrellus caeruleoporus

• This fungus is found in Canada.• This fungus produces medium to large fleshy fruit bodies of various colours. • This is a mycorrhizal fungus, meaning it forms a close association with the roots of

most vascular plants.

Things to consider:• This species of fungus listed is rare (only 10 known occurrences in North America) and

has a global rank of vulnerable.• The populations of this species are declining to do timber production, clear cutting,

habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. • This fungus is a keystone species in many commercially important conifer forests of

Canada.• This fungus enhances tree uptake of essential nutrients and water , protects trees

against pathogens and heavy metals, creates favourable soil structure, and facilitates below-ground nutrient transfer among plants. Many forests in Canada would not function properly without this fungus.