Environmental Science

Chapter 10

Biodiversity

Notes #2

Biodiversity - Protecting

Public Policy Endangered Species – such low numbers remain,

that extinction is expected Ex. Florida Panther (loss of habitat)

Threatened Species – dropping numbers, likely to be endangered if they are not protected

Ex. Northern Spotted Owls Most in danger

those with small population Special habitat needs/ migration needs

Biodiversity - Protecting

Endangered Species Act (1973) 1. List the Endangered and Threatened

Species2. May not catch or kill the listed species 3. Gov’t can’t do any project that would

endanger the listed species4. The gov’t must come up with recovery

plans for each of the endangered and threatened species

The US has the strongest laws that protect endangered species

Biodiversity - Protecting

Preventing Extinction: IUCN – International Union for the Conservation of

Nature and Natural Resources 200 governments 700 private organizations

Prints a list of worldwide endangered and threatened species, along with methods of effective ways of helping preserve those species

CITES – banned ivory Saved African Elephants from poaching Why is that more effective than limiting ivory sales?

Biodiversity - Protecting

Saving Individual Species Captive Breeding Programs

Zoos, botanical gardens, and wildlife parks are ideal for this

Ex. California Condor Ex. Gray Wolf

Botanical Gardens Germ-Plasm Banks

Store genetic material or seeds Germ plasm = content of plant seeds Importance of genetic diversity

Biodiversity

Saving Ecosystems Puts focus on whole ecosystem rather than

Individual species Why?

Its saving all the species in one place, not just those that are on the list (which helps those on the endangered list and the unknowns)

The health of the biosphere depends on the health of individual ecosystems

Future of Biodiversity

Issues with protecting Biodiversity Developers v. Environmentalists

Why is there friction between these two groups? Short term v. long term resources Job security v. biodiversity Balancing human needs v. other species

Ex. Developed country v. developing country

The developing country destroys land/habitat for survival, hunting for food