Endangered Species Notes
Endangered Species Act (ESA) - A National law
passed in 1973 that protects species that are in
danger of extinction. Goal is to boast populations to a
self-sustaining level.
Endangered Species - a species in immediate
jeopardy of survival and reproduction – (Extinct)
Threatened Species - A species likely to become
endangered.
Candidate Species – A species that may need
protection but is not on the list.
The best way to protect a species is through
protecting habitat vital to its existence known as
Critical Habitat
Status of species is review by the National Marine
Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
* over 1200 species protected by the ESA
EX. of Commonly known Endangered species
California condor, Florida panther, gray wolf, manatee
Black footed ferret
Some have been delisted:
Bald eagle, American alligator, Peregrine falcon
EX. Bald Eagle
American Alligator
Peregrine Falcon
Causes of Endangerment
1) Loss of Habitat (main cause) - as the human pop.
grows, there is less habitat for all other species American crocodile - wetlands
also pollution and pesticides
Ex Black-footed ferret have been saved by captive
breeding programs
2) Human exploitation - hunting, trapping, etc. - EX
wolf, ocelot.
* Poaching - illegal hunting - is a problem in other
countries. - EX. lions, tigers, elephants.
Fig. 11-16, p. 238
Bushmeat – wild animal meat - Africa
3) Introduced species
A) Out compete for space and resources Ex. Many
plants
B) Overgrazing by livestock EX. Hawaiian plants
C) Disease carried by other organisms EX.
Hawaiian birds
Extinction is a natural process but greatly accelerated
by humans.
Notes.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) - A National law passed in 1973 that protects
species that are in danger of extinction. Goal is to boast populations to a selfsustaining level.
Endangered Species –
Threatened Species –
Candidate Species –
The best way to protect a species is through protecting habitat vital to its
existence known as ______________
Status of species is review by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the
_______________________________
* over _________ species protected by the ESA
EX. of Commonly known Endangered species
Some have been delisted – taken off list:
Causes of Endangerment
1) ________________ - as the human pop. grows, there is less habitat for all
other species - EX. _______________ - wetlands
also pollution and pesticides
2) _____________- hunting, trapping, etc. - EX wolf, ocelot.
______________ - illegal hunting - is a problem in other countries. - EX. lions,
tigers, elephants.
_________-– wild animal meat - Africa
3) ______________________
A) Out compete for space and resources Ex. Many plants
B) Overgrazing by livestock EX. Hawaiian plants
C) Disease carried by other organisms EX. Hawaiian birds
·
Extinction is a natural process but greatly accelerated by humans.
* Once a species is listed no branch of government
can proceed with a project that might harm the
organism.
* However, most federal projects are allowed to
continue.
EX. Snail Darter and Tellico Dam.
- Read pgs. 73 and 74.
EX. Desert Tortoise pg. 80
* ESA is a powerful land law which has been abused
to stop unwanted development.
* ESA does require a balancing of species protection
with economic development.
* ESA amended in 82’ that allows for incidental takes
through an HCP (Define underlined terms)
* 9 species listed have gone extinct.
* 15 on the list have completely recovered. EX. Bald
Eagle, American Alligator, Peregrine Falcon
* Some animals are in captive breeding programs
(animals breed in a human protected environments to
increase the population) EX. California condor, black
footed ferret.
Criticism of ESA
* Law has been abused for other agendas
* 249 candidate species waiting to be listed due to
lack of time and money (there may be many more out
there)
*34 went extinct during the 80’s waiting to be listed
*Some species receive all the attention and money
Cal. Condor - $25 mil
Spotted Owl – 16.8 mil.
* Some say that we should focus on ecosystems
instead of species.
* Do we really need all these species? The ESA
now protects many plants and invertebrates (see
handout)
Introduced (Exotic) Species - Organisms that have
either intentionally or accidentally been released into
this country. (non-native)
starling - noisy, messy black birds that were released
in Central Park NY in 1890.
- now there are millions
- out compete native birds for food
- damage farm crops
parrots
- many are taken illegally from the South American
depleting the population there.
- carry virus that attack poultry
(Avian bird flu) – geese from Asia carry a deadly virus
* Bird imports are now regulated to prevent disease
and to protect endangered species.
ring-necked pheasant - game bird from Asia.
- population is declining here due to habitat loss
(brushy fields and farm land).
fish - brown trout, carp, goldfish
*Domesticated animals (pets), livestock are common
exotic species. The Norway rat, house mouse, house
sparrow have also been introduced into this country.
Invasive species- organism that takes over an
environment and disrupts the community by outcompeting or destroying native species (Almost
always exotic)
What makes a species invasive?
What is a vector?
Problem Species
multi-flora rose - once planted for erosion control. It
has now taken over many native plant species.
Invasive Species (pgs. 61 – 70)
From the following explain 1) what it is 2) how and
why it got here 3) the problems it has created 4) if
there is anything that can stop it from causing more
damage.
purple loosestrife water hyacinth zebra mussel chestnut blight gypsy moth African bee Medfly Explain what the US Department of Agriculture and
the (APHIS) do to protect against exotics.
If you come back from a foreign country, what can you
not bring back with you into the US?
Endangered Species Notes – 1.14 pgs. 72 - 81.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) - A National law
passed in 1973 that protects species that are in
danger of extinction.
Endangered Species –
Threatened Species –
Candidate Species –
Goal of the ESA – To boast populations to a selfsustaining level. In order to achieve the goal each
species must have a recovery plan that determines
what it needs to be delisted.
The best way to protect a species is usually through
protecting habitat vital to its existence known as
______________(Determined by the Dept. of Interior)
Status of species is review by the _______________
and the _________________.
* Once a species is listed no branch of government
can proceed with a project that might harm the
organism.
* However, most federal projects are allowed to
continue.
EX. Snail Darter and Tellico Dam.
- Read pgs. 73 and 74.
EX. Desert Tortoise pg. 80
* ESA is a powerful land law which has been abused
to stop unwanted development.
* ESA does require a balancing of species protection
with economic development.
* ESA amended in 82’that allows for incidental takes
(define) _________________________________
through an
HCP (define)______________________________
* over ________ species protected by the ESA
EX. of Commonly known Endangered species
* 7 species listed have gone extinct.
* 15 on the list have completely recovered. EX.
* Some animals are in captive breeding programs _______________________________________
EX.
Criticism of ESA
* Law has been abused for other agendas
* 256 candidate species waiting to be listed due to
lack of time and money (there may be many more out
there)
*34 went extinct during the 80’s waiting to be listed
Some species receive all the attention and money
_________- $25 mil ____________ – 16.8 mil.
* Some say that we should focus on ecosystems
instead of species.
*The ESA now protects many plants and invertebrates
(see handout)
Causes of Endangerment
1) Loss of Habitat (main cause) –
2) Human exploitation –
3) Introduced species
* Extinction is a natural process but greatly
accelerated by humans.