Day 3 - Human Impacton Biodiversity

What are examples of invasive alien species?

• grey squirrel (North American) v. red squirrel (UK)

• Australian red-clawed crayfish

• cane toads

What are invasive alien species?

Species introduced into areas where they then compete with native species.

Where is coltan primarily found?

The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What is coltan?

A metallic core that contains rubidium and tantalum.

What is tantalum and how is it obtained?

1. An element

2. By mining coltan

What can cause habitat loss?

Mining activities

What does habitat destruction include?

• degradation

• fragmentation

• loss

How does pollution affect marine life?

Fish and other wildlife sometimes eat these waste products and die of malnutrition

How many scarlet macaws remaining in Guatemala?

150-200

What does pollution do?

1. Damages habitats and kills animals/plants

2. Leads to loss of life and reduction in species’ population numbers

3. Can be caused by build-up of waste products from human activities:

• Chemicals

• Litter

• Nets

• Plastic

• Bags

• Oil spills

What are scarlet macaws?

Emblematic species in the Central American region mainly threatened by

• Rainforest habitat loss

• Wild capture

• Exploitation for the illegal pet trade

What does CITES do?

Acts to prevent the illegal trade in wildlife

What is CITES?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

How much is the illegal pet trade worth per year?

$23 billion

What is the illegal pet trade?

Threatens the ongoing existence of a species and involves the trade in species such as:

• Exotic birds

• Baby primates

• Baby alligators and crocodiles

• Big cat cubs

What is a pangolin?

The most illegally trafficked mammal in the world

• The only scaled mammals

• Some species of pangolins are on the brink of extinction

What can poaching be done for?

Bushmeat trade

Food (endangered animals)

What are some well known examples of poaching?

• Hunting elephants for their ivory tusks

• Hunting tigers for their skins and bones

What is poaching?

The illegal hunting or capturing of wildlife

What can overharvesting cause?

The significant depletion of a population’s number

What/why are animals hunted for?

Food

Medicines

Souvenirs

Fashion

To supply the exotic pet trade

What are most ecosystems are subject to?

Multiple human impacts, the effects of which are amplified when combined

Adverse effects on biological diversity by indirect threats

Cause changes to the environment and in turn affect biodiversity

Pollution

Habitat destruction

Invasive alien species

Adverse effects on biological diversity by direct threats

Have a direct effect on species, habitats and ecosystems

Overharvesting

Hunting

Poaching

Illegal pet trade