Wildlife Resources What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today? What is...
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Transcript of Wildlife Resources What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today? What is...
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