Threatened, Endangered, Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Speciesand Extinct Species

Chapter 7Chapter 7

Lesson 7.3Lesson 7.3

PA Academic Standards for PA Academic Standards for Environment & EcologyEnvironment & Ecology

Standard 4.7.10.CStandard 4.7.10.C• Identify and explain why adaptations can lead Identify and explain why adaptations can lead

to specialization.to specialization.• Explain factors that could lead to a species’ Explain factors that could lead to a species’

increase or decrease.increase or decrease.• Explain how management practices may influence Explain how management practices may influence

the success of specific species.the success of specific species.• Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for

categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.or extinct.

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

• Students will explain factors that could lead to a Students will explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease.species’ increase or decrease.

• Students will explain how management practices Students will explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species.may influence the success of specific species.

• Students will identify and explain criteria used by Students will identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered, or extinct.threatened, endangered, or extinct.

Theme OutlineTheme OutlineLesson 7.3Lesson 7.3

• Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest• Human Impacts on Some Pennsylvania SpeciesHuman Impacts on Some Pennsylvania Species• Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct SpeciesThreatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species• Factors That Make Some Species More Prone to Factors That Make Some Species More Prone to

ExtinctionExtinction• Help for Threatened and Endangered SpeciesHelp for Threatened and Endangered Species

Survival of the Fittest• Seen best through the eyes of Seen best through the eyes of Charles DarwinCharles Darwin who who

formed the foundation for what we know about formed the foundation for what we know about biodiversity and evolutionary biology.biodiversity and evolutionary biology.

• English NaturalistEnglish Naturalist• 1809–18821809–1882• Cartography ExpeditionCartography Expedition

• H.M.S. BeagleH.M.S. Beagle• 1831-18361831-1836

• Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

Variation among plants Variation among plants and animals first observed and and animals first observed and recordedrecorded

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Voyage of the Voyage of the H.M.S. BeagleH.M.S. Beagle

“… “… populations of organisms over time change in populations of organisms over time change in response to the needs placed on them by the response to the needs placed on them by the natural environment in which they live.”natural environment in which they live.”

Darwin said…Darwin said…

Natural Selection

DefinitionDefinition: : process that makes it more likely that process that makes it more likely that organisms with the best characteristics for survival in a organisms with the best characteristics for survival in a specific environment will survive, reproduce, and pass on specific environment will survive, reproduce, and pass on their advantageous genetic traits to offspringtheir advantageous genetic traits to offspring

What is natural selection? • Organisms produce more offspring than can survive to reproduce. • Their offspring vary slightly. • Characteristics can be passed on from generation to generation. • Those most suited to their environment survive at the expense of those less 'fit'.

Conditions necessary for natural Conditions necessary for natural selection to occurselection to occur

• The potential adaptation in question must be a trait that The potential adaptation in question must be a trait that varies within a species.varies within a species.

• The adaptation must be one that parents can passed on to The adaptation must be one that parents can passed on to their offspring genetically.their offspring genetically.

• One version of the adaptation must benefit the members One version of the adaptation must benefit the members that have it in a way that lets them survive and reproduce that have it in a way that lets them survive and reproduce more than individuals who do not have the adaptation.more than individuals who do not have the adaptation.

Human Impacts on Human Impacts on Some Pennsylvania SpeciesSome Pennsylvania Species

““Natural selection plays a large role in maintaining Earth’s Natural selection plays a large role in maintaining Earth’s biodiversity by stocking populations with individuals that biodiversity by stocking populations with individuals that are most likely to survive in a particular environment.”are most likely to survive in a particular environment.”

In other words, “Mother Nature” will take care of itself. In other words, “Mother Nature” will take care of itself. Because variations exist, certain individuals within a Because variations exist, certain individuals within a species are species are usuallyusually able to adapt to environmental changes. able to adapt to environmental changes. However, if the environment is altered too much or too However, if the environment is altered too much or too fast, even the “most fit” organisms may have difficulty fast, even the “most fit” organisms may have difficulty adjusting.adjusting.

Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

Negative ImpactsNegative Impacts• Habitat DestructionHabitat Destruction• PollutionPollution

(Water, Land, Air)(Water, Land, Air)

Positive ImpactsPositive Impacts• Habitat RestorationHabitat Restoration

Species displaced or Species displaced or killedkilled

HabitatHabitat quality quality improved:improved:

Species Species survives/recoverssurvives/recovers

How can we maintain How can we maintain biodiversity?biodiversity?

Protect entire ecosystemsProtect entire ecosystems Protect specific speciesProtect specific species Manage game speciesManage game species

Maintaining biodiversityMaintaining biodiversity Protect entire ecosystemsProtect entire ecosystems..

• More than 90 million acres in 450 individual refuges More than 90 million acres in 450 individual refuges have been protected.have been protected.

First wildlife refuge established in Florida in 1903 to First wildlife refuge established in Florida in 1903 to protect the brown pelican population.protect the brown pelican population.

Maintaining biodiversityMaintaining biodiversity Protect specific species.Protect specific species.

• Protect habitat that is critical to species’ survivalProtect habitat that is critical to species’ survival• Captive breeding and reintroduction programs.Captive breeding and reintroduction programs.

Example: California Condor, Peregrine Falcon, OspreyExample: California Condor, Peregrine Falcon, Osprey

Maintaining biodiversityMaintaining biodiversity Manage game species.Manage game species.

• Ensure that game species populations remain fairly Ensure that game species populations remain fairly stable.stable.

Example. Deer & Bear populations in PAExample. Deer & Bear populations in PA

Threatened, Endangered, and Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct SpeciesExtinct Species

What happens when ecosystems fail and What happens when ecosystems fail and alternations in ecosystems are too much for alternations in ecosystems are too much for species to handle?species to handle?

Classification of organisms in dangerClassification of organisms in danger ThreatenedThreatened EndangeredEndangered ExtinctExtinct

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Biological SurveyBiological Survey

(PABS)(PABS)

Who are they?Who are they?• Group of scientists, state and federal agency Group of scientists, state and federal agency

representatives, natural history museums, interested representatives, natural history museums, interested citizens.citizens.

What do they do?What do they do?• Help maintain Pennsylvania’s biodiversity by tracking Help maintain Pennsylvania’s biodiversity by tracking

and monitoring many plant and animals species, and monitoring many plant and animals species, including species of concern.including species of concern.

• Coordinate surveys and research on Pennsylvania wildlife.Coordinate surveys and research on Pennsylvania wildlife.• Produce publications designed to target public audiences Produce publications designed to target public audiences and focus on species conservation.and focus on species conservation. Example: 1985,Example: 1985, Species of Special Concern in PennsylvaniaSpecies of Special Concern in Pennsylvania

Endangered Species Act (ESA)Endangered Species Act (ESA)• U.S. law passed in 1973.U.S. law passed in 1973.• Governs the protection of species whose Governs the protection of species whose

populations are in decline or could be in danger of populations are in decline or could be in danger of extinction.extinction.

• Forbids the hunting, killing, collecting, or harming of Forbids the hunting, killing, collecting, or harming of species listed as endangered or threatened.species listed as endangered or threatened.

• Forbids federal funding of projects that would threaten Forbids federal funding of projects that would threaten a species.a species.

ESA: Categories of ClassificationESA: Categories of Classification ThreatenedThreatened EndangeredEndangered ExtinctExtinct

Threatened SpeciesThreatened Species

Definition:Definition: species whose numbers are dwindling to a point species whose numbers are dwindling to a point at which the species could become endangeredat which the species could become endangeredRough Green Snake Red-Bellied Turtle Osprey

Showy Ladies Slipper Bald Eagle

Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species

Definition:Definition: species that has so few individuals remaining species that has so few individuals remaining that extinction is a possibility in the near futurethat extinction is a possibility in the near future

Delmarva Fox Squirrel Indiana Bat Short Eared Owl

Atlantic Sturgeon Eastern Massasauga

Extinct SpeciesExtinct SpeciesDefinition: Definition: species that no longer existsspecies that no longer exists

Passenger PigeonPassenger Pigeon Eastern ElkEastern Elk

Factors that increase Factors that increase the chance of extinctionthe chance of extinction

Specific food requirementsSpecific food requirements Specific habitat or nesting Specific habitat or nesting

requirementsrequirements High on food chains or food websHigh on food chains or food webs MigrationMigration Reproduces at a low rateReproduces at a low rate Limited Habitat RangeLimited Habitat Range Interference with human activitiesInterference with human activities

Specific food requirementsSpecific food requirementsWhy is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?

• Some species eat very few foods. If habitat destruction Some species eat very few foods. If habitat destruction or pollution destroys these food sources, populations or pollution destroys these food sources, populations can become vulnerable.can become vulnerable.

Koala Snail KitePanda

Eucalyptus Apple SnailsBamboo

Specific habitat or nesting Specific habitat or nesting requirementsrequirements

Why is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?• Some species live in only one area or type of area.Some species live in only one area or type of area.

Kirtland’s warblerKirtland’s warbler

Jack pine trees, 6-15 yrs oldJack pine trees, 6-15 yrs old

Spotted OwlSpotted Owl

Old growth forests Old growth forests

Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest

Tiger SalamanderTiger Salamander

Fish-less pondsFish-less ponds

Specific habitat or nesting Specific habitat or nesting requirementsrequirements

Why is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?• Some species high on the food chain are vulnerable to Some species high on the food chain are vulnerable to

problems, such as problems, such as bioaccumulationbioaccumulation..

Specific habitat or nesting Specific habitat or nesting requirementsrequirements

Why is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?• Species that migrate must depend on multiple habitats Species that migrate must depend on multiple habitats

and are more vulnerable to environmental changes. and are more vulnerable to environmental changes.

Monarch ButterflyMonarch Butterfly

Snow GeeseSnow Geese

Hoary BatHoary Bat

Reproduction at lower ratesReproduction at lower rates

Why is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?• Some species have very few offspring when they Some species have very few offspring when they

reproduce. Populations grow slowly and reproduce. Populations grow slowly and recovery times are much longer than other recovery times are much longer than other species. species.

Giant PandaGiant Panda ElephantElephant SharksSharks

Interference with human Interference with human activitiesactivities

Why is this a problem for some organisms?Why is this a problem for some organisms?• Some species have been killed, hunted, or poisoned by Some species have been killed, hunted, or poisoned by

humans because they ruin crops, kill livestock, or have humans because they ruin crops, kill livestock, or have somehow become a nuisance.somehow become a nuisance.

Grey WolvesGrey Wolves American AlligatorAmerican Alligator

So what can be done to So what can be done to help?help?

Who is in charge?Who is in charge?• National Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Marine Fisheries Service• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

What do they do?What do they do?• Propose which species get added to Propose which species get added to

and removed from the ESA listings.and removed from the ESA listings.

How fast is all this happening?How fast is all this happening? Estimations are that extinction rates are Estimations are that extinction rates are 1,000 to 10,000 1,000 to 10,000

timestimes their natural rate. their natural rate.

Limited Success.Limited Success.• About 40% of the species listed under ESA protection About 40% of the species listed under ESA protection

have stabilized or improved.have stabilized or improved.• What about the other 60% of species listed?What about the other 60% of species listed?