Wildlife Resources What is happening to the wildlife

Wildlife Resources Ø What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today?

U. S. Species Diversity

Decreasing Biodiversity Ø 10 -20% of species alive in 1975 were extinct in 2000 Ø Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropical rain forests (many undescribed species) Ø 40% of all species live in tropical areas Ø Disappear along with forests

Extinction Not New Ø 99% of all species have gone extinct Ø Gradual environmental changes have been responsible for most extinctions Ø Rapid environmental changes from asteroids, etc. also have been important in many extinctions

Extinction Rates Ø Background (natural) rate of extinction Ø Mass extinction

Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity? 1) economics 2) aesthetics 3) ecological 4) ethics

Cinchona ledogeriana, South America Quinine for malaria treatment

Rauvolfia sepentina, Southeast Asia Tranquilizer, high blood pressure medication

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Europe Digitalis for heart failure

Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia, Pacific Northwest Ovarian cancer

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species

Human Activities That May Cause Extinctions Ø Habitat disturbance/destruction Ø Commercial hunting Ø Predator and pest control Ø Collecting for pets, zoos, research Ø Pollution Ø Introductions of exotic species

Habitat Disturbance and Destruction California Condor

Commercial Hunting Black Rhino Range in 1700 Range today (about 2, 400 left)

Predator and Pest Control African Elephant Probable range 1600 Range today (300, 000 left)

Collecting for Pets, Zoos, Research

Pollution Bald Eagle - DDT

Species Introductions Dodo Bird Zebra Mussel

Threats from Nonnative Species

Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity Ø Species approach Ø Ecosystem approach

Protecting Wild Species: The Legal Approach Ø International Treaties: CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Ø National Laws: ESA - Endangered Species Act

Protecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach Ø Wildlife refuges and protected areas - e. g. whooping cranes Ø Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Ø Zoos and Aquariums - captive breeding programs

The Ecosystem Approach Ø Biosphere reserves Ø U. S. has >30 reserves - Yellowstone National Park - Great Smoky Mtns. National Park Ø Other countries have similar reserves

Bird Success Stories California Condor Whooping Crane Peregrine Falcon Canada Goose Wild Turkey

Economics and the Environment Ø Sustaining economic growth? - Is growth necessary for progress? - Limited natural resources - Limited capacity to deal with wastes

Redirecting Economic Growth Ø Reduce polluting growth, and growth dependent on nonrenewable resources Ø Encourage “clean” and efficient growth, and growth dependent on renewable resources

Harmful External Costs and Full. Cost Pricing Ø External costs - need to eliminate waste in the economy Ø Full-cost pricing - pay true cost for goods and services - recycling fee and pollution tax to cost of new tires, oil changes

Politics Ø Orderly distribution of resources Ø Political systems designed to accomplish this goal

United States Political System Ø Legislative: enact laws to ensure equitable distribution of resources Ø Clean Air & Water Acts, Water Pollution Control Act, RCRA, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

NEPA Ø Environmental impact statement Ø Short- and long-term effects of project on the environment Ø Examine alternatives

United States Political System Ø Executive: enforce the laws Ø Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ø Enforce environmental regulations Ø Distribute federal money for environmental purposes (Superfund)

United States Political System Ø Judicial: interpreting the laws Ø Environmental law - Who “speaks for the trees”? The Lorax

Factors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental Problems Ø Lack of long-range planning (usually focus on short-term issues) Ø Special interest groups have too much influence Ø Too much bureaucracy

Religion and the Environment Ø Most environmental degradation has been the result of human attitudes and values. Ø Self-centered view of nature

Religion and the Environment Ø All major religions emphasize humans as a part of nature Ø Steward of nature Ø A steward is a caretaker

Religion and the Environment Ø Most people do not practice their religious or philosophical beliefs when it relates to the environment (not acting as stewards) Ø Human population growth Ø Resource problems Ø Pollution problems Ø More emphasis is being placed on environmental concerns now by the world’s religious leaders.

Ecological Crisis? Ø Gloom and doom? Ø Technological optimism? Ø “Good old days”? Ø An important beginning Ø Lots more to accomplish