1. Explain the utilitarian justification for
preserving endangered species. Provide three
examples of endangered species preservation
with a utilitarian justification.
Pollinators
6. Describe what happens, over time, to an
animal population confined in a smallprotected area. Make up a case study in
which an arbitrary park boundary causes the
local extinction of a species.
Air and O2 production
Decreased genetic diversity
Water filtration/purification
Inadequate range for territories
Possible food sources
Proper food web not supported
Medicines
Inadequate producers
Pest controls
Abiotic conditions altered by boundaries
Soil renewal and creation
Increased edge effects for sensitive species
(core)
Pioneer species
Ecotourism
Trillions of $ in services
Nutrient cycling
Protection of coastlines
Protection of aquatic food sources
Zoos and aquariums
Indicator species for water, air and soil quality
2. Explain the ecological justification for
preserving endangered species. Provide three
examples of endangered species preservation
with an ecological justification.
Role in ecosystem
Potential collapse
Loss of keystone species
Maintenance of ecosystem
Nutrient cycling
Biodiversity
Loss of top predators occuring at much higher
rate
3. Explain the aesthetic, cultural and moral
justifications for preserving endangered
species. Provide three examples (one each) of
endangered species preservation with an
aesthetic, cultural and moral justification.
edge species displaced
7. Describe the conflicts that arise when a forest
is used simultaneously for wildlife
management, watershed, and recreation.
Some species may be intolerant to human
interaction or vice versa
Any human activities can degrade habitat
Watershed area may have many uses for the
water that drains from it including
organisms dwelling in it to depending on ithuman use like agriculture, animal husbandry
and industry can negatively impact water
recreation can damage land, increase erosion
8. A pristine area has begun to suffer from
deforestation as a result of a large influx of
people. Outline a strategy for solving this
problem. Include a detailed plan to improve
the condition of the forest.
Create a protected core area
Decrease travel on interior roadways
Restrict or limit logging
Replanting logged areas with native
polyculture
Evaluate condition of food web
Reintroduction of key species
Intrinsic value
9. Distinguish between the agencies, which are
responsible for overseeing federal lands in the
United States.
Beauty to enjoy
FWS (US Fish and Wildlife services)
Many organisms place unique value in some
cultures (ie whales)
USFS (US Forestry Services)
Bequest value
4. Differentiate between the first five mass
extinctions of life on Earth and the “sixth”.
Considering the statement "extinction is the
rule of nature," explain the rationale for
concern about species going extinct.
First 5 major extinctions occurred after major
events, ice ages, volcanic eruptions meteor
strike current quick and insidious secondary
to human presence HIPPCO
EPA
NPS (US National Park Service)
10. Explain why whales were and still are so
desirable to humans, and the countries that
are proponents of whaling. Identify some of
the ongoing challenges to the protection of
whales.
Used for energy source
Cultural and religious connection
Background extinction normal part of
evolution. Enable better adapted organisms
to fill in but loss is exceeding open roles
5. Identify three pieces of legislation that are
vital to preserving endangered species.
Explain precisely what each legislates, its
historical significance, and scope.
ESA The ESA prohibits harassing, harming,
pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding,
killing, trapping, capturing and collecting
listed species, unless specifically permitted, or
attempting to engage in such activities within
the United States or its territorial seas.
CITES Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CBD the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) convened the Ad Hoc
Working Group of Experts on Biological
Diversity in November 1988 to explore the
need for an. international convention on
biological diversity. Soon after, in May 1989,
it established the Ad Hoc Working Group of
Technical and Legal Experts to prepare an
international legal instrument for the
conservation and sustainable use of biological
diversity.
Marine Mammal Protection Act The MMPA,
enacted in 1972, established a moratorium on
the taking and importation of marine mammals
except under permit.
The Lacey Act prohibited this interstate
commerce in protected species. The Lacey
Act prohibits the import, export,
transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition or
purchase of fish, wildlife or plants that are
taken, possessed, transported or sold in
violation of any federal, state, tribal or foreign
law. The Humane and Healthful Transport
of Wild Mammals and Birds into the United
States are regulations authorized by Congress
in 1981 under the Lacey Act.
African Elephant Conservation Act The
purpose of this Act, passed in 1988, is to provide
additional protection for the African Elephant.
The Act established an assistance program to the
countries of Africa where Elephants are
indigenous and provided for the establishment of
an African Elephant Conservation Fund.
Signed in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(MBTA) between Great Britain on behalf of
Canada and the United States prohibited the
Huge potential food source-Norway, Iceland,
Intuits, Japanese
Used for other commercial products
Connection with mammals that are similar to
us
Whale watching form of ecotourism
The International Whaling Commission-IWC
is a voluntary international organization
that is not backed up by treaty. The IWC
adopted a moratorium on commercial
whaling in 1986,
killing of non-game migratory birds.
Eagle Protection Act Passed in 1940, this Act
makes it illegal to import, export, or take Bald or
Golden Eagles or to sell, purchase, or barter
parts, nests, eggs or products made from the
animals.
The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) of
1992 is an extremely important law restricting
the massive importation of wild birds into the
United States for the cage bird trade. This law
bans the importation into the United States of
the majority of wild-caught birds.