BIOLOGY
Mini – Project on Endangered Plants
Objective: Identify a plant species based on its physical characteristics.
Recognize the importance of conservation biology for the preservation of species.
Conservation biology addresses the preservation of
species and their habitats throughout the world.
Techniques used in these endeavors include genetics,
vegetation restoration, wildlife management and other
natural resource management activities. During the
last 10,000 years, species extinctions have been
occurring at an alarming rate, due to the human
population explosion, and resulting habitat
destruction for agriculture and other human purposes.
The importance of conservation biology is underscored
by the fact that an estimated 1800 populations per hour
are being lost at the present pace of ecological damage.
Conservation biology seeks to maintain populations of
plants and animals, with an emphasis upon rare and
endangered species.
An intrinsic part of conservation biology is
identification of species interactions, in order to understand the core elements of preserving an intact habitat in
its full functionality. Equally important is an understanding of genetic diversity within each species and the
population dynamics that underlies the progression of species numbers from one generation to the next.
Conservation biology is practiced by governmental agencies, but also by private organizations, since key
element of land ownership are often privately owned; coordination of a regional strategy among landowners is
vital for the preservation of biological corridors. Captive breeding programs are used as a defense of last resort
in the preservation of a species.
International institutions and conventions (UICN and CITES) has been studying the status of species and among
the millions of species present on Earth, they have made a list on the most endangered and classify them into
categories. At the national level, Panama´s Ministry for the Environment has this task.
Plants case
Imagine your life without plants. What foods would be missing from your diet? How different would the
landscape look? Plants are critical to our lives. Plants have adapted to live in specific habitats, to obtain resources
in particular ways, and to interact with different species. However, a lot of plants are in trouble. When we change
the environment to suit our needs, such as clearing land for agriculture or housing, some plants cannot adjust
to the new surroundings.
Many plant species are declining in numbers so large that they are considered endangered. In other words, they
are in danger of going extinct. What plants are endangered in your region? If you had the chance to save a life,
would you?
By learning about endangered species in your area and promoting their protection, you can save more than just
one life, you can help protect an entire species. What plants are endangered in your state or region? What
threatens their survival? How can we protect them?
Step one:
Look for information on the endangered species that was assigned to your group, including why it is threatened
and why it should be saved. Visit http://www.pancanal.com/esp/ampliacion/estudio-ambiental/cap-05.pdf and
take note on the plant if it is endemic (only found in this country) and the Endangered Status (according to
ANAM, CITES and UICN). Pay close attention to its role within the ecosystem and the other organisms with
which it interacts. Finally, consider why saving endangered species is important. Remember to take notes!
Step two:
Bring your notes to class. Also, bring a “cartulina”, markers and pictures on the species.
Plant species and groups
Ceiba pentandra: Arias, Repetto, Zambrano; Altafulla, Silva, Yee.
Dalbergia retusa: Ardila, Sarmiento, Stoker; Arosemena, Benavides, Espino
Swietenia macrophylla: Vásquez, Fierro, Ferrabone; Paredes, Freiburghaus, Bernal
Cedrela odorata: Rujano, De Obaldía, Pérez; Valero, Montoya,
Sterculia apetala: Cortés, Benavides, Ferrán; Hassan, Molina, Cortés
Podocarpus guatemalensis Londoño, Chacón, Taylor; Valdés, Rodríguez, F., Vega
Zamia: Villalba, Carles, Meléndez; Rothery, Fuentes, Correa
Pachira quinata: Lee, Silvera; Solís, Rodríguez, A. P., Janson
Tabebuia rosea: De León, Castrellón, Fernández; Quirós, Villarreal, Martínez
Based on
 Farnsworth, E. http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/151427/ The enciclopedia of Earth. Published: June 12,
2014, 4:43 pm. Retrieved Oct. 24th, 2015.
 The enciclopedia of Earth. http://www.eoearth.org/topics/view/51cbfc78f702fc2ba8129e91/. Conservation
Biology. Retrieved Oct. 24th, 2015.
 Cigarruista, L. 2006. Árboles y arbustos de Panamá. Trees and shrubs of Panama. Editora Novo Art, S.
A.
 Condit, R.; Perez, R. and Daguerre, N. 2011. Trees of Panama and Costa Rica. Princeton University Press.
 Roman, F.; De Liones R.; Sautu, A.; Deago, J. and Hal, J. S. 2012. Guía para la propagación de 120 especies
de árboles nativos de Panamá y el Neotrópico. Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.