Wildlife ResourcesWildlife Resources

What is happening to the wildlifeand plant resources around us today?

What is happening to the wildlifeand plant resources around us today?

U.S. Species DiversityU.S. Species Diversity

Decreasing BiodiversityDecreasing Biodiversity

10-20% of species alive in 1975 wereextinct in 2000

10-20% of species alive in 1975 wereextinct in 2000

Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropicalrain forests (many undescribed species)

Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropicalrain forests (many undescribed species)

40% of all species live in tropical areas40% of all species live in tropical areasDisappear along with forestsDisappear along with forests

Extinction Not NewExtinction Not New

99% of all species have gone extinct99% of all species have gone extinct

Gradual environmental changes havebeen responsible for most extinctions

Gradual environmental changes havebeen responsible for most extinctions

Rapid environmental changes fromasteroids, etc. also have been importantin many extinctions

Rapid environmental changes fromasteroids, etc. also have been importantin many extinctions

Extinction RatesExtinction Rates

Background (natural) rate of extinctionBackground (natural) rate of extinction

Massextinction

Massextinction

Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity?Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity?

1) economics

2) aesthetics

3) ecological

4) ethics

1) economics

2) aesthetics

3) ecological

4) ethics

CinchonaCinchona ledogeriana, South AmericaQuinine for malaria treatment

RauvolfiaRauvolfia sepentina, Southeast AsiaTranquilizer, high blood pressure medication

FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea, EuropeDigitalis for heart failure

Pacific yewTaxus brevifolia, Pacific NorthwestOvarian cancer

Human Impacts on BiodiversityHuman Impacts on Biodiversity

Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild SpeciesCauses of Premature Extinction of Wild Species

Human Activities That MayCause ExtinctionsHuman Activities That MayCause ExtinctionsHabitat disturbance/destructionHabitat disturbance/destruction

Commercial huntingCommercial hunting

Predator and pest controlPredator and pest control

Collecting for pets, zoos, researchCollecting for pets, zoos, research

Pollution Pollution

Introductions of exotic speciesIntroductions of exotic species

Habitat Disturbance and DestructionHabitat Disturbance and Destruction

California Condor

Commercial HuntingCommercial Hunting

Black Rhino

Range in 1700

Range today(about 2,400 left)

Predator and Pest ControlPredator and Pest Control

African Elephant

Probable range 1600

Range today(300,000 left)

Collecting for Pets, Zoos, ResearchCollecting for Pets, Zoos, Research

PollutionPollution

Bald Eagle

- DDT

Species IntroductionsSpecies Introductions

Dodo BirdZebra Mussel

Threats from Nonnative SpeciesThreats from Nonnative Species

Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity

Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity

Species approachSpecies approach

Ecosystem approach

Ecosystem approach

Protecting Wild Species: The Legal ApproachProtecting Wild Species: The Legal Approach

International Treaties: CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

International Treaties: CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

National Laws: ESA- Endangered Species Act

National Laws: ESA- Endangered Species Act

Protecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary ApproachProtecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach

Wildlife refuges and protected areas- e.g. whooping cranes

Wildlife refuges and protected areas- e.g. whooping cranes

Zoos and Aquariums- captive breeding programs

Zoos and Aquariums- captive breeding programs

Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms

The Ecosystem ApproachThe Ecosystem Approach

Biosphere reservesBiosphere reserves

U.S. has >30 reserves- Yellowstone National Park- Great Smoky Mtns. National Park

U.S. has >30 reserves- Yellowstone National Park- Great Smoky Mtns. National Park

Other countries have similar reservesOther countries have similar reserves

Bird Success StoriesBird Success Stories

California CondorCalifornia Condor

Whooping CraneWhooping Crane

Peregrine FalconPeregrine Falcon

Canada GooseCanada Goose

WildWild TurkeyTurkey

Economics and the EnvironmentEconomics and the Environment

Sustaining economic growth?Sustaining economic growth?

- Is growth necessary for progress?- Is growth necessary for progress?

- Limited natural resources- Limited natural resources

- Limited capacity to deal with wastes- Limited capacity to deal with wastes

Redirecting Economic GrowthRedirecting Economic Growth

Reduce polluting growth, and growthdependent on nonrenewable resources

Reduce polluting growth, and growthdependent on nonrenewable resources

Encourage “clean” and efficientgrowth, and growth dependent onrenewable resources

Encourage “clean” and efficientgrowth, and growth dependent onrenewable resources

Harmful External Costs and Full-Cost PricingHarmful External Costs and Full-Cost Pricing

External costs - need to eliminatewaste in the economy

External costs - need to eliminatewaste in the economy

Full-cost pricing - pay true cost forgoods and services- recycling fee and pollutiontax to cost of new tires, oilchanges

Full-cost pricing - pay true cost forgoods and services- recycling fee and pollutiontax to cost of new tires, oilchanges

PoliticsPolitics

Orderly distribution of resourcesOrderly distribution of resources

Political systems designed toaccomplish this goal

Political systems designed toaccomplish this goal

United States Political SystemUnited States Political System

Legislative: enact laws to ensureequitable distribution of resources

Legislative: enact laws to ensureequitable distribution of resources

Clean Air & Water Acts, WaterPollution Control Act, RCRA,Endangered Species Act, NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Clean Air & Water Acts, WaterPollution Control Act, RCRA,Endangered Species Act, NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA)

NEPANEPA

Environmental impact statementEnvironmental impact statement

Short- and long-term effects ofproject on the environment

Short- and long-term effects ofproject on the environment

Examine alternativesExamine alternatives

United States Political SystemUnited States Political System

Executive: enforce the lawsExecutive: enforce the laws

Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)

Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)

Enforce environmental regulationsEnforce environmental regulations

Distribute federal money forenvironmental purposes (Superfund)

Distribute federal money forenvironmental purposes (Superfund)

United States Political SystemUnited States Political System

Judicial: interpreting the lawsJudicial: interpreting the laws

Environmental law- Who “speaks for the trees”?

Environmental law- Who “speaks for the trees”?

TheLorax

Factors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental ProblemsFactors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental Problems

Lack of long-range planning(usually focus on short-term issues)

Lack of long-range planning(usually focus on short-term issues)

Special interest groups have too muchinfluence

Special interest groups have too muchinfluence

Too much bureaucracy Too much bureaucracy

Religion and the EnvironmentReligion and the Environment

Most environmental degradation has beenthe result of human attitudes and values.

Most environmental degradation has beenthe result of human attitudes and values.

Self-centered view of nature Self-centered view of nature

Religion and the EnvironmentReligion and the Environment

All major religions emphasize humans asa part of nature

All major religions emphasize humans asa part of nature

Steward of nature Steward of nature

A steward is a caretaker A steward is a caretaker

Religion and the EnvironmentReligion and the Environment

Most people do not practice their religious or philosophical beliefs when it relates to the environment (not acting as stewards)

Most people do not practice their religious or philosophical beliefs when it relates to the environment (not acting as stewards)

Human population growth Resource problems Pollution problems

Human population growth Resource problems Pollution problems

More emphasis is being placed on environmental concerns now by the world’s religious leaders.

More emphasis is being placed on environmental concerns now by the world’s religious leaders.

Ecological Crisis?Ecological Crisis?

Gloom and doom? Gloom and doom?

Technological optimism? Technological optimism?

“Good old days”? “Good old days”?

An important beginning An important beginning

Lots more to accomplish Lots more to accomplish