Lecture 4: Conservation Biology

What themes have the NEPA and ESA given legislative strength to as part of conservation biology?

The requirement that pollution or environmental degradation be evaluated in the context of ecosystem function (NEPA); the endorsement of intrinsic and non-economic values for resources and non-human creatures (ESA, NEPA); emphasis on the status of individual species and the affirmation that extinction is undesirable (ESA); the opportunity for citizens and NGOs to participate in decision-making and the creation of avenues for litigation (ESA, NEPA)

What must federal funding now be available for under the ESA?

Federal funding must be available for research and habitat acquisition to renew resources sustainably

What is CITES?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — it is the most important international conservation agreement in operation today

What does CITES regulate?

It prohibits commercial trade in globally endangered species or their products

When was CITES created?

1975

What are "Red Data Books"?

Reports that became the most important source and respected authority for identifying the world's endangered species and their status; they began being published in the 1960s

What organization originally began making lists and short status reports of endangered and threatened species?

The United Nations

Where can current red lists be found today?

At www.iucnredlist.org

What criteria do red lists use to categorize species?

Relatively simple decision rules, according to their relative endangerment

What is CITES considered in terms of international negotiations?

A great achievement in international negotiations, but an imperfect document

How did CITES achieve much of its consensus in negotiations?

By being deliberately vague on its most important points

What is CITES's language described as — a means or an instrument?

It is difficult to determine if CITES is an instrument for wildlife protection or a means to regulate wildlife trade

Where is the "heart" of the CITES treaty found?

Not in the main body of the document, but in the three appendices

What is important to note about what the CITES appendices protect?

The appendices indicate that CITES does not protect all wildlife, but only "tradable" wildlife and wildlife products that are bought and sold in transactions involving two or more countries

What is Appendix 1 of CITES?

Lists species that are endangered and vulnerable (e.g., Asian elephant and Sumatran elephant); commercial trade of Appendix 1 species is prohibited, and permits are required for both the importing and exporting country, and permits must be obtained even for non-commercial transport

What is Appendix 2 of CITES?

Lists species that are threatened by trade but are not yet globally endangered; may be listed at the initiative of an individual country seeking international cooperation for that species' protection; trade requires a permit from the exporting country

What is Appendix 3 of CITES?

Lists species here are those that either could be threatened by large volumes of trade (e.g. Greater sage grouse) or that cannot be distinguished from a threatened species; nations are asked not to permit importation of these species without an export permit from the listing country

How often do parties to the CITES Treaty meet to make amendments to the appendices?

Every two to three years

What was originally required of CITES delegates regarding trade approach?

Originally, the treaty equated conservation with strict protectionism

How has the CITES delegates' approach to trade changed more recently?

The treaty has shown a tendency to permit some trade in formerly protected species if it can be shown that such trade actually enhances their conservation

What did original CITES rules require regarding stockpiles of protected animal products?

Originally, CITES required the destruction of existing stockpiles of protected animal products, to eliminate incentives for national governments to trade in the products and thus discourage poaching

What happened to southern white rhino populations in South Africa under CITES conservation efforts?

Southern white rhinos in South Africa increased from 20 in 1920 to about 6,300, the largest national population in Africa

Why are white rhinos in South Africa now sold to other governments?

Sales of white rhinos are expected to improve the status of the species in South Africa because proceeds are spent on further rhino conservation efforts

What did governments decide to do with existing stockpiles of rhino horns, given the price increase from destruction?

Governments have been asked to "identify, mark, and secure" their rhino horns in national stockpiles because increased effectiveness in the enforcement of the treaty has, ironically, grown because the sale or trade of the horns in such stockpiles has been approved under strict controls

What happened in 1994 regarding the U.S. and Taiwan under CITES?

The U.S. government imposed trade sanctions on Taiwan after that government failed to curtail trade in rhinoceros and tiger parts in compliance with CITES; the U.S. had warned Taiwan several times before taking this action

Why was the 1994 U.S. action against Taiwan significant?

It marked the first time in history that international trade sanctions had been used directly to protect wildlife