9.9 Endangered Species
Causes of Endangerment--Natural
- Starvation
- Being outcompeted by other similar species
- Excessive predation
- Natural disaster
- Loss of habitat through natural means?
- Impediments to mating?
Causes of Endangerment—Anthropogenic
- HIPPCO
- habitat destruction
- invasive species
- pollution
- population growth
- climate change
- overexploitation
^^Selective Pressures:^^ Any factors that change the behaviors and fitness of organisms within an environment
- “Selective” = Natural selection = leads to evolution
Not all species are equally impacted by selective pressures and ecosystem changes…
- Adaptability
- Mobility
Protecting Endangered Species include…
- criminalizing poaching
- protecting animal rights
^^Metapopulations^^: spatially separated pops of same species, interact and interbreed
Factors influencing ecosystem conservation plans
Size, shape, connectedness
- Theory of island biogeography
- Metapopulations
- SLOSS (Single Large or Several Small)
- Edge habitat
Biosphere reserves
- Contain zones that vary in allowed amount of impact
- Central core, buffer zone, transition area
Legislation
Different Types of Species
| Keystone | Has a disproportionate, far-reaching impact on species in its ecosystem |
|---|---|
| Flagship/ Charismatic | -Popular with humans due to their “cuteness”, large size, and/or high intelligence -Serves to raise concern and awareness |
| Umbrella | the conservation and protection of these species indirectly affects the conservation and protection of other species within their ecosystem |
| Indicator | Quickly reflect changes in ecosystem functioning |
Limitations of single- species approach
- Protecting HABITAT instead allows ecosystem to be more flexible/natural
- Protects species/relationships we’re not even aware of
- Focus $/efforts on “hot spots” of biodiversity (rainforests, coral reefs)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)
- prohibits killing any marine mammals in the US and any import/export of MM body parts
Endangered Species Act (1973)
- Authorizes the USFWS to determine which species can be listed as threatened or endangered
- prohibits their harm as well as trade of fur/ other body parts
^^Endangered:^^ Danger of extinction within the forseeable future
^^Threatened:^^ Likely to become endangered in forseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range