AP Environmental Science
Biodiversity and the Extinction Crisis
What can you do to preserve biodiversity???
I. What is biodiversity? - section 4-1
A. Definition: number of species on earth or in a particular locality
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Encyclopedia of Life
Wild Finder - explore the world's biodiversity
Animal diversity web
more biodiversity links/resources
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B. Extent of biodiversity (see also chapter 5 notes)
1. global species composition
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2. 1.4 million known species
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3. estimates range from 10 to 100 million
total species.
4. most “species rich” habitats/biomes are
the tropical regions and coral reefs
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North American Bird Banding
Laboratory
North American Breeding Bird
Survey
Scientists in the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park have
been working on identifying all
of the species found in the park
-- one of the most diverse
regions in the US. The initiative
is called the All Taxa
Biodiversity Inventory.
5. island biodiversity relates to nearby
mainland and the size of the island
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90% reduction in area = 50%
reduction in species
New species are discovered all the time! | giant squid evidence | many
new species in Indonesia | new plant species in Madagascar |
Biodiversity hotspots
Estimates for land bird populations in North America
Plant biodiversity and plant of the week
Encyclopedia of life
The Consortium for the Barcode of Life is attempting to find ways to
identify species quickly using genetic sequences
The Census of Marine Life has gathered data since the 1990s, publishing a
major report in October 2010. Explore results here. Also here and in
Google Earth
II. Threats to biodiversity
A. history of extinctions
B. human population growth and resource use are leading to extinctions – in what
some have called the “6th major extinction”.
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there was a mass extinction at the end of the Permian period, plus the
famous end-Cretaceous event that killed the dinosaurs
1. types of extinctions: local, ecological, biological - p. 194
2. examples of species extinct in recent times – fig. 9A
4. examples of species that are currently threatened with extinction
– fig. 9-2
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conservation status of amphibians
whooping cranes are a famous endangered species (more
here)
Ivory-billed woodpeckers
The Red List - international listing of species threatened
with extinction
5. characteristics of species that are prone to extinction – fig. 9-4
6. ecologists debate the actual extinction rate – see discussion p.
192-193
C. causes of extinctions (p. 197) : HIPPCO
 1. most significant reason is habitat loss and fragmenttation:
mining, logging, farming, and development (fig. 9-8)
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a recent report from the Bay Journal documents the
detrimental effects of development on wildlife, wetlands,
and wetland birds
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another Bay Journal report on habitat/forest fragmentation
(Oct. 2006) and the related State of the Chesapeake Forests
report
2. introduction of exotic species – “alien invasions” or
“bioinvasions” (fig. 9-9, 9-10, 9-11)
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USGS Non-Indiginous Species program (lots of info) |
more
Interior Department invasive species program
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National Park Service invasive species program - fact
sheets on common aliens in the mid-Atlantic
W
Biological Control: using natural means to fight problem
creatures
an invasive algae in the Mediterranean
more examples - there are thousands and the problem is
spreading!!
try this animation - matching aliens with impacts
Cane Toads
Non-migratory Canada Geese are a big problem | more here
The 100th Meridian Initiative attempts to halt the spread of
invasive species, especially zebra mussels, in the western
US
Emerald Ash Borer | more here.
Alien Invasions video clips - Scientific American Frontiers
Life cycle of the invasive sea lamprey
Most Despised Invasive species (interactive from NPR includes a link to the top 100 invasive species)
Goats were used to control invasive plants in MD in 2008
Cats can be significant predators of endangered birds
Bush Honeysuckle (a non-native plant) can increase the
risk of tick/lyme disease infection by changing deer habitat.
3. pesticide use and other chemical problems - fig 9-13 - Silent
Spring
4. hunting, poaching, and over-fishing
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"Bushmeat" - hunting and eating of wild animals such as
gorillas and elephants - is a serious issue in Africa - fig 915
exotic pets and decorative plants - "black market" trade
plants such as Ginseng are also threatened by poaching
ranchers still poison prairie dogs in the US
hunting may have caused extinctions of several large
animal species such as mastodons
D. Reasons for preservation
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1. stewardship – Gen. 1:28 and 2:15
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2. value of species to humans - medicine, food, other products - fig
9-6
 Biomimicry - processes and products that have
been inspired by living organisms
 Some organizations promoting "urban forestry":
Casey Tree Endowment
 National Geographic interactive - the value of
ecosystems
 Calculate the value of a tree in your yard
3. interconnectedness of species (note the quote from A. Leopold).
4. aesthetic/intrinsic
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check out a YouTube video: The Bio Da Versity Code
III. Saving biodiversity - chap 10-11
A. need for large, interconnected habitats
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avoid problems of islands (90% rule)
Identification of hot spots (fig. 22-22)
Managing wildlife, land use, and hunting – see chap 10
Special problem of protecting migratory birds (Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center)
connecting habitats across highways and roads
The Highlands Coalition is working on preservation of the
mountains that parallel the eastern seaboard from
Pennsylvania through southern New England.
the Yellowstone to Yukon initiative aims to connect
habitats along the northern Rocky Mountain corridor
the Adirondack to Algonquin association has a similar aim
Sky Island Alliance works on protecting habitat corridors in
the Southwestern US
the Appalachian Trail could also serve as a corridor
The Wildlands Project
the Rewilding Institute advocates the return of natural
landscapes, including carnivores and other "missing
animals"
Wilderness areas are managed by various federal and state
agencies (see below)
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska is an example
of a large protected area.
The Magic Alliance works to protect habitat and corridors
in Maryland
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the Northern Jaguar Project monitors jaguars in the
southwestern US
Maryland Alliance for Greenway Conservation
Conservation Evidence - information on successful
conservation practices/programs
Map - percentage of protected habitats worldwide
Save the tree octopus
Officials are trying to promote ecotourism in the largely
intact "crown of the continent" ecosystem - the northern
Rockies in Montana
Summer 2008 Audubon report on the negative impacts of
the border fence project |
Freedom to Roam is a campaign focused on wildlife
corridors
Google Earth map of lands protected from development
Bird migration websites
o Hawk migration association (has maps and data for
hawk watch sites)
o Hawk Count - data from hawk migration studies
o Hawk mountain -- the premier hawk migration
observation center in the US, located in
Pennsylvania
o Rockfish Gap Hawkwatch -- at the southern tip of
the Shenandoah mountains
Efforts to create border fences would have an opposite effect | video: wild
vs. wall | Pronghorn migration is often disrupted by fences (they can't
jump) and other development | Sierra club "stop the wall"
Some researchers are concerned that efforts to preserve habitat will be
wiped out by climate change, as ecosystems migrate and change
Farmers can reduce impacts on nesting birds by delaying the mowing of
fields
B. zoos, captive breeding programs, botanical gardens, seed banks
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Animals have been reintroduced into many of their original habitats: Elk
in various parts of the eastern US including Kentucky and the Great
Smokies |
Florida panthers were threatened with inbreeding until cougars from Texas
were added to the mix
C. legislation/government
1. biologists, businesspeople, and politicians must work together
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2. Endangered Species Act (see p. 208-209)
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what the law says
why it is controversial
has it worked? (yes!)
habitat conservation plans
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3. CITES - international treaty
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more on global trade/treaties and
endangered species
whales are protected by the
International Whaling Commission
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Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Page
The Red List of world-wide
endangered species
Protecting Monarch butterflies Monarch Watch
American Bird Conservancy
promotes the protection of Important
Bird Areas
Wolf conservation
D. private conservancy groups
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you can show your support for National Forests at this web site
more examples below under IV-D
The Boreal Songbird Initiative works to protect boreal forest ecosystems
in Canada
E. population control and sustainable development
F. Creative solutions
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Oil drilling platforms can use green lights to avoid fatal attractions with
birds
IV. Managing terrestrial biodiversity – chap 10
A. US Public (federal) land agencies - p. 686-688
1. multiple-use lands permit resource extraction as well as
recreation and protecting wildlife
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National Forests | Forest service open space initiative aims
to preserve habitat
Bureau of Land Management | BLM manages a series of
"conservation lands" that are protected from development the National Landscape Conservation System
2. National Wildlife Refuges (Fish and Wildlife Service) are
designed to protect wildlife habitat, with recreation and sometimes
resource use as secondary goals
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3. National Parks have the most restrictive use policies
4. Wilderness areas have been designated on all types of federal
lands. Humans have no permanent habitation in these areas, and
travel is by foot (or paddle) only
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the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964
Wilderness.net has maps and info on all US wilderness
areas
Environmental groups are encouraging creation of new
wildness areas in nearby West Virginia
Campaign for America's Wilderness - activists are urging
the designation of additional areas.
Explore what wilderness means (National Park Service)
5. marine protected areas have been established in ocean waters and are
administered by NOAA
B. US State lands of often managed with a similar range of goals. Some state
lands protect very large areas, such as the Adirondacks in New York (more)
C. Other countries have designated national parks and forest reserves as well –
fig. 10-25
D. Private organizations have made significant contributions to conserving land
and resources
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Nature Conservancy preserves in Maryland | Virginia | Google map of all
Conservancy preserves |
The Conservation Fund
Trust for Public Land
Audubon Society designates Important Bird Areas
example - Heritage Ranch in New Mexico:
"Heritage Ranch represents a bold, innovative approach to protecting scenic
lands in the Southwest. Its mission is to maintain the natural character of
mountain ranches through the use of protective communities. In order to
preserve unique rural properties, Heritage Ranch has pioneered a new type of
ecosystem management. We blend the needs of wildlife with the needs of people
in a unique mix that preserves wild places and gives a few folks an extraordinary
place to live."
E. Managing public lands often involves controversy
1. contrasting aims of the two extremes
2. example – livestock grazing on grasslands | more here problems with livestock on public lands
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The Bureau of Land Management initiated a Healthy Lands
Initiative to restore ecological health of land damaged by
grazing, invasive species, and oil and gas development in
2007.
3. forest management is the most controversial and difficult (see
below)
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check out the Forest Service Employees for Environmental
Ethics
4. the USGS Biological Resources Division does research to
monitor changes in natural habitats
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check out the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
F. forest management
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some statistics on forested areas in the US
1. distribution of forest types
2. ecological and economic services provided by forests - p. 221
science focus; fig 10-4
3. tree plantations vs. old-growth forests – fig 10-2, 10-3
4. various harvesting methods are used – p. 219-220
5. case study in US forest management
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Healthy forests initiative addresses fire risk (see also chap
5)
management of Roadless Areas - should they be logged? |
more here
advantages and disadvantages of logging (fig. 10-8)
There is a recent trend toward using horses to harvest trees
Conservation International works to reduce deforestation
Alaska's Tongass National forest has been the focus of
much discussion about logging vs. preserving "old growth"
The Forest Service writes new management plans on a
periodic basis. These plans are subject to public input and
often controversial.
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Pine beetle infestations are causing big problems in the
western US
6. world-wide harvest trends – p. 225
7. pathogens are damaging many forests, with both ecological and
economic damage
8. a movement toward sustainable forestry is growing (see fig. 1016)
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buying "shade-growth coffee" can help preserve forests
Vermont Family Forests
9. tropical forests face a different set of problems – p. 225-226
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"debt for nature" swaps have been effective tools in some
tropical areas
G. Identifying areas most in need of preservation
1. Gap analysis attempts to identify areas in need of conservation
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the biological barcode project is working on using short
genetic sequences to identify species
2. biodiversity and endangered species hot spots
3. design of core reserves with buffer zones
4. ecological restoration attempts to restore full ecological
functions in degraded landscapes. This sometimes involves reintroducing missing native plants and animals, and restoring
natural fire patterns – see p. 237-41
V. Managing aquatic resources and biodiversity – chap 11
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check out the new UN Atlas of the Oceans
check out the National Marine Sanctuary system, with lots of info on marine plants and
animals | more on sanctuaries here
National Geographic feature on oceans and their issues: Exploring Ocean Realms includes an interactive map of unique ocean areas
Coral reef and continental shelf research - Aquarius underwater laboratory
The Tagging of Pacific Predators program studies marine fish and mammal behavior by
attaching radio tags to animals
A. Threats to marine biodiversity are similar to those discussed earlier – see p.
249 and section 11-1
B. Many fish species have been severely over-fished - fig. 11-7
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making good choices in the fish you eat - Marine Stewardship Council
Seafood Watch - another guide to good seafood choices based on
sustainable fishing
Empty Oceans, Empty Nets - web site explores depleted fisheries
Save our Wild Salmon
More info from National Geographic
C. other issues
1. protecting sea turtles - fig. 11-6, 11-11
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Sea Turtle tracking program
2. whale hunting – p. 256-57
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Whale Net -- including a whale dissection
Gray whales - more - updated numbers)
WaPo article on Japan and whale hunting - Jan 2008
3. beach erosion
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overview of beach erosion problems
water has been rising in the Chesapeake Bay
coastal erosion from El Nino storms on the west coast
NY Times article - law to prevent taxpayers from
subsidizing building on the beach
The Surfrider association advocates for protection of
beaches from environmental damage
Photos of barrier islands in Texas after Hurricane Ike (Sept
2008)
4. managing fisheries – p. 259-265 (remember the commons
idea!!)
5. protecting and restoring wetlands (more on this later) – p. 265267
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Chesapeake Bay Program
Everglades Restoration (fig. 11-18)
Louisiana Wetlands
Great Lakes
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Mangroves - links:
o Explore the coastal regions of south Florida -wetlands, mangroves, and "tree islands"
6. protecting and restoring freshwater lakes and streams (more on
this later too) – p. 268-271
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salmon provide a good case study
Dams sometimes cause problems for migrating fish such as
salmon
o more info
o list of removed dams
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Salmon migration
o Salmon migration on the Connecticut River including statistics
American shad (common in Delaware and Chesapeake
Bays) | programs to improve shad migrations have not
worked well so far (Sept. 2008)
pace of dam removal is increasing (report - Oct '07) | The
Chesapeake region leads the nation in dam removal
fish passages
Columbia river intertribal fish commission
National Wild and Scenic Rivers program
project aids fish migration on the Susquehanna
Condit Dam on White Salmon River in Oregon
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What can you do to preserve biodiversity???