Endangered Species

what attributes of animals render them more vulnerable to extinction?

1. narrow habitat requirements 

2. large body size

3. low reproductive rates 

4. highly specialized adaptations or low genetic diversity

5. high economic value 

Causes and issues surrounding the decline and conservation efforts for the Florida panther 

Casues: 

1. severe inbreeding 

2. heart defects

3. habitat loss 

4. roadway collisions 

5. overhunting

issues resulting in the decline of the vaquita

1. found only in the northern Gulf of California

2. slow reproduction

3. fewer than 10 remain

4. bycatch in illegal gillnets

5. drown when trapped in nets

Tree needed by the koala for food and habitat

Eucalyptus tree

Effects of climate change on koalas

1. increased drought, fires and habitat loss

2. eucalyptus trees have narrow climate tolerance

3. koalas experience physiological stress

4. increased disease outbreaks

5. forced to move in search of food/water

issues responsible for the decline of the northern spotted owl 

1. loss of old-growth forests 

2. competition from barred owls 

issues responsible for the decline of the jaguar

1. habitat loss

2. prey decline

3. human-wildlife conflict

issues responsible for the decline of the orangutan 

1. habitat destruction 

2. logging 

3. increased human-wildlife conflict

4. reduction of food sources

issues responsible for the decline of the Stellar sea lion

1. loss of prey from overfishing

2. entanglement in nets

3. hunting

4. contaminants

5. shot by fishermen to protect fish stocks

Marine issues facing the California least tern

1. habitat loss due to beach development

2. nesting site disturbance

3. predation by pets and wild animals

Marine issues facing whales 

1. boat strikes

Why captive breeding is not adequate to save declining species of the long term

1. species must have protected habitat for reinroduction

2. needs an ecological niche to survive in the wild

3. doesn’t solve underlying threats

4. inbreeding problems persist