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Section 10.2 and 10.3 notes
Public Policy on Endangered Species
Many countries have laws that prevent the extinction of species. In Canada we have the Species at Risk
Act which was last updated on December 12th, 2002. It contains policies ranging from protecting
current species to recovery plans for species at risk.
How are species classified at risk?
Currently species are classified based on known numbers in the wild. Species are classified according
to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) index. This is
the leading organization worldwide that deals with the classifying of species as being vulnerable,
endangered, extinct, etc.
Each year the IUCN releases a “red list” that contains species that fall into categories based on the
index used to classify species population numbers.
A few classifications to remember:
Extinct – the species no longer exists in the wild or captivity
Endangered – the species is at serious risk of extinction if no protective measures are taken
Threatened – the species is likely to become endangered if no protective measures are taken
Many governments have treaties in an attempt to curb species loss. The aim of many of these treaties it
to eliminate illegal hunting (poaching) and to protect habitat. One such famous treaty was the
Biodiversity Treaty which has been signed by 167 nations since it was created in 1992.
One clause in this treaty was for wealthier nations to pass money and resources to poorer nations to
help protect species that were endangered or at risk.
So how are governments worldwide trying to maintain biodiversity? Along with legislation there are
three more methods currently being used.
Captive Breeding Programs – involve breeding animals under carefully managed situations. What is
one main problem with this method?
Botanical Gardens – enclosed or open gardens that contain many plant species in one area. These are
expensive to maintain and many plants require pollinators to reproduce but some pollinators may end
up feeding on plants within the garden. Extensive management is thus required to keep these gardens
running smoothly.
Germ-Plasm Banks – these are facilities where an organisms reproductive cells (sperm and eggs or
seeds) are frozen and stored so that the genetic material can remain viable for many years.
Ecosystem Approach
Instead of trying to save a single species many scientists are arguing for the protection of entire
ecosystems for two main reasons.
1. Many species in an area may be endangered and we also do not know the number of species on
the planet. By protecting large areas we can protect species that we know of already and those
that we do not.
2. The health of the entire biosphere depends on the health of all ecosystems. All ecosystems
provide us with services we need to survive.