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Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

Q: Extinction rates: what is the background, current and projected rate? what are the 2 reasons projected rate could be even higher?

Background : 0,0001 % per million species per year Current: 0,1 % Projected: 1 % --> 10.000 per year which means that within the century at least one-fourth of the species are extinct. Faster degradation of biodiversity hotspots (such as tropical forests) then degradation of world's average. Destroying speciation spots (potential colonization spots for the emergence of new species). --> creating a speciation crisis: limiting the long-term recovery for biodiversity.

Q: What is the difference between threatened and endangered species?

Endangered = so few individuals left that the species very soon could go extinct. (1370 on list IUCN) Most endangered species: Sumatran Tiger, Mexican Grey wolf, California condor, Whooping crane. Threatened (vulnerable) = enough remaining individuals to survive in the short term, but because of declining numbers likely to become endangered in the near future. (17,300 on list IUCN) (example: polar bear)

6 important questions on Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach

Extinction rates: what is the background, current and projected rate? what are the 2 reasons projected rate could be even higher?

Background: 0,0001 % per million species per year
Current: 0,1 %

Projected: 1 % --> 10.000 per year which means that within the century at least one-fourth of the species are extinct.

Faster degradation of biodiversity hotspots (such as tropical forests) then degradation of world's average.
Destroying speciation spots (potential colonization spots for the emergence of new species). --> creating a speciation crisis: limiting the long-term recovery for biodiversity.

What is the difference between threatened and endangered species?

Endangered = so few individuals left that the species very soon could go extinct. (1370 on list IUCN)
Most endangered species: Sumatran Tiger, Mexican Grey wolf, California condor, Whooping crane.
Threatened (vulnerable)= enough remaining individuals to survive in the short term, but because of declining numbers likely to become endangered in the near future. (17,300 on list IUCN) (example: polar bear)

As shares of the total of endangered species, what types of known species are mostly threatened ?

1. plants (70%)
2. fishes (34%)
3. amphibians (30%)
4. reptiles (28%)
5. mammals (21%)
6. birds (12%)

The greatest threats to any species are (in order):

HIPPCO:

1. Habitat Destruction, degradation and fragmentation (most loss in tropical areas, coral reefs and coastal wetlands.
2. Invasive (nonnative) species
3. Population growth
4. Pollution
5. Climate change
5. Overexploitation

What are the two international treaties to protect species?

CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Bans hunting, capturing and selling of threatened and endangered species.
Signed by 175 countries.
Limited effects: enforcement varies from country to country, country can exempt a species.
CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity
Commits participating governments to reducing global rate of biodiversity loss and to equitably sharing the benefits from use of the world's genetic resources.
Ratified by 191 countries (not US)
Focuses on ecosystems rather than species
Limited effects: no severe penalties or enforcement mechanisms.

What are the characteristics of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (6)

Most far reaching environmental law ever adopted by any nation
Adding or removing species by biological arguments alone
For offenses commited on private lands fines as high as $100,000 or 1 year prison can be imposed
Makes it illegal to sell or buy any product from an endangered or threatened species (or kill, hunt, collect or injure such species in the US).
Controls import of wildlife from other countries
Makes up active recovery plans for the listed species.