lecture 5 cpt 11biodiv

Environmental Sciences: Towards a Sustainable Future Chapter 11: 

Environmental Sciences: Towards a Sustainable Future Chapter 11 Wild Species: Biodiversity and Protection

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Results 1 - 10 of about 3,330,000 for biodiversity Google search: Biodiversity bi·o·di·ver·si·ty   n. The number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region. The variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.

The Value of Wild Species: 

The Value of Wild Species Instrumental Sources for agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and animal husbandry Recreational, aesthetic and scientific value Sources of medicine Intrinsic

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Gas, climate, and water regulation Water supply Erosion control Soil formation Pollination Biological control Food production Recreation Raw materials Nutrient cycling Waste treatment Ecosystem Goods, Services, and Functions = $33 Trillion/year

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http://courses.nres.uiuc.edu/nres105/sweetcorn.htm Wild species Agricultural crops Example: Corn Originated in prehistoric times in Mexico No longer occurs wild, but related spp. found in mountains of Mexico and Guatemala Early small-grained forms were probably eaten as popcorn Small primitive cobs have been found in caves dating to around 3500 BC Not a stable crop in North America until after 500 AD Sweet corn first used as sugar source for beer

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Usually high degree of genetic diversity-adaptable Represents the genetic bank Wild Cultivated Selected for growth under specific conditions  Need highly controlled environmental conditions

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Botany of Desire Michael Pollan Apples Tulips Potatoes Marijuana

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http://www.ultimatedisney.com/melodytime.html

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Red junglefowl: S.E. Asian ancestor of the chicken Domestication = ~8000 yr ago

Sources of Medicine: Table 11-1: 

Sources of Medicine: Table 11-1 Vincristine from rosey periwinkle cures leukemia. Capoten from the venom of the Brazilian viper controls high blood pressure. Taxol from the bark of the pacific yew used to treat ovarian, breast and small-cell cancers.

Recreational, Aesthetic, and Scientific Value: 

Recreational, Aesthetic, and Scientific Value Ecotourism: largest foreign exchange-generating enterprise in many developing countries $104 billion spent on wildlife-related recreation $31 billion spent to observe, feed, or photograph wildlife

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Mountain gorillas: Uganda & Rwanda

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Intrinsic Value? Do species have an intrinsic value? Why: religion? Is it ever OK to purposefully extinct a species?

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http://www.fws.gov ~ 1/3rd N.A. species gone or threatened

Causes of Animal Extinctions: 

Causes of Animal Extinctions

Endangered Species Act: 

Endangered Species Act 1973, reauthorized 1988 Protects endangered (imminent danger) and threatened (in jeopardy) spp Imposes substantial fines Pgs 271-275

Reasons for Biodiversity Decline: 

Reasons for Biodiversity Decline Habitat alterations Conversions Fragmentation Simplification

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North America Europe # fresh water fish spp. 700 250 W/ in North America Canada & Alaska 180 Tennessee & Cumberland rivers 250 N.A. fish very diverse, negatively affected by dams

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# fish species + - site of famous snail darter due to Pleistocene extinction rates http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/2000/biodiversity/index.cfm

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http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/2000/biodiversity/index.cfm snail darter  related to walleye & perch  small ( most < 100mm)  highly specious Darters

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http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/fwb/fish/iafish/perch/card/otd-card.htm orangethroat darter

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Mid-1970s, water impoundments on the Little Tennessee River behind the nearly completed Tellico dam threatened to eradicate the only known population of the snail darter (listed under ESA). 1976, the case of Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill was filed in an effort to protect the fish. 1978, Supreme Court found that ESA contained an absolute prohibition against activities detrimental to listed species. Mandated that the gates of the dam not be closed. 1 month after Supreme Court decision, the ESA was amended by Congress to include a process by which economic impacts could be reviewed and projects exempted from the restrictions. 1978, an exemption was sought using the new amendment. Snail Darter E.S.A. Exemption Case

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1979 the ES Committee denied an exemption in the snail darter case; the dam project remained on hold because of the fish. 1979, Tennesse Sen. Howard Baker and Rep. John Duncan Sr., tacked an amendment to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which exempted Tellico from the ESA and other laws. Workers at Tellico closed the gates of the dam, allowing the reservoir to fill. 1984 the Fish and Wildlife Service rescinded the designation of the Tellico dam area as critical habitat for the snail darter, because the species no longer existed in that area. The snail darter classification under the ESA later changed from endangered to threatened, because other small populations were found elsewhere in the Tennessee River Watershed

Human Population Growth: 

Human Population Growth

Pollution: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: 

Pollution: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill March 24, 1989 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled into Prince William Sound Oil slick

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Exotic Species Zebra mussels encrusting a native clam

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Winged mapleleaf Quadrula fragosa federally endangered Mapleleaf Quadrula quadrula wide spread, common species identification can be difficult

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Purple wartyback Cyclonaias tuberculata endangered in WI, threatened in IA Slippershell mussel Alansmidonta viridis endangered in IL & WI, threatened in IA

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Fawnsfoot Tuncilla donaciformis widespread common through most of range, threatened in OH Mucket Actinonaias ligamentina widespread, locally abundant, extirpated in OH

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Biology of Unionid mussels male & female adults live in sediment external fertilization parasitic glochida attach to fish host Host serves as a transportation vector for the mussels

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Some unionids attract host fish by waving a ‘lure’. Glochidia enclosed in package that looks like a fish clam disguised glochidia mucus tether http://courses.smsu.edu/mcb095f/gallery/L_reeveiana/Reeviana.htm

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some unionids mimic a crayfish to attract fish host http://courses.smsu.edu/mcb095f/gallery Elongate papillae on the mantle margin resemble antennae and legs. The mantle margins are folded to one side to present a lateral view, and the mussel usually positions the lure with papillae toward the substrate (putting its "feet" on the ground).

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There are ~ 300 species of Unionids in North America diversity highest in south east  most species found in streams, some in lakes At least 70 species listed as threatened or endangered dispersal restricted by dams (stop host fish) many species intolerant of poor water quality and sedimentation  zebra mussels

Overuse: 

Overuse Harvest of wild birds for food and feathers Extinction of passenger pigeon pg 265 Trafficking in wildlife and products derived from wild species - $10 billion/year 90% decline in rhinos 1.6 tons of tiger bones = 340 tigers Parrot smuggling: 40 of 330 species face extinction

International Steps to Protect Biodiversity (282-283): 

International Steps to Protect Biodiversity (282-283) Convention on trade in endangered species (CITES) Focuses on trade in wildlife and wildlife parts eg. ivory Convention on biological diversity Focuses on conserving biological diversity worldwide Does not yet have the support of the United States

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http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2006/jan/news_7416.html

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http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/strategies/hotspots/hotspots_map.xml Do we live in a diversity hotspot? What pattern do you see in hotspots? Who bears responsibility for maintaining hotspots?