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Corey Mano
SEADISC 2ND
12/4/12
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Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
1. What role does your species have in its ecosystem?
Although scientists don’t know the exact number of species that inhabit
planet Earth, every single one plays a role in its environment. This inate value of
a species is called its intrinsic value. The endangered Scaphirhynchus albus
(Pallid Sturgeon) is very valuable to its environment.
The Pallid Sturgeon has survived in the Missouri River and lower Mississippi
River basins for 70 million years. The amazing, well-adapted pallid has evolved
to thrive in turbid, free flowing currents and water temperature ranging from
32-86 degrees Fahrenheit. It is found primarily at the bottom of large silty rivers
such as the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. (Fact Sheet Pallid Sturgeon, 2012)
The Pallid Sturgeon being a bottom feeder, eats small aquatic insects and
minnows. (Threatened and Endangered Species, 2011) It has a fairly wide range
of food requirements. However, it plays a crucial role in its habitat by controlling
the population of smaller aquatic life and providing species evenness for the
entire ecosystem. If it weren’t for this important sturgeon, the species diversity
would be thrown off balance in the Missouri river.
The Pallid Sturgeon would be considered a R-selected species because it
takes several years for the species to be able to reproduce and only a small
number of pallids reach an old age. Even though the pallid can reach old ages of
around fifty to sixty years, there is a very small amount of old pallids found in
the river. (Spratt, 2012) This is unfortunate because this species is on the brink
of extinction. One might wonder how a species which can live in a wide range of
temperatures and has a broad food selection is endangered.
The greatest threat to the Pallid Sturgeon is human activity. Dams
constructed in the Missouri River basin greatly affected the ecosystem. They
blocked natural spawning migration. The newly hatched fry are consequently
vulnerable to predators like the catfish. The dams also created isolated
populations, which decrease the genetic diversity of the pallid. (Gehring, 2008)
The pallid population has also suffered because of the human chemical
contamination of the Missouri and Mississippi River basins. (Fact Sheet Pallid
Sturgeon, 2012)
2. What, if any, efforts are being made to preserve your species outside of its
natural habitat?
In 1990, the Pallid Sturgeon was placed on the Federal Endangered Species
list because it was only spotted several times a year. This brought more
attention to the suffering sturgeon so state and federal agencies began to
cooperate to restore their population. (Spratt, 2012)
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has been active and have created a national
fish hatchery in Riverdale, North Dakota. According to the hatchery manager,
there was a mere 350 sturgeon alive in the recovery program. (Gehring, 2008)
Also, fish biologists and federal law enforcement agents have teamed up to
end the threat posed by commercial fishermen to the poor Pallid Sturgeon.
Because Pallid Sturgeon closely resemble the Shovelnose Sturgeon, the pallid can
get caught by fishermen fishing for the shovelnose. Fortunately, this would be
considered a class A misdemeanor under the Endangered Species Act. (Spratt,
2012)
There have been several efforts to save this endangered species but these
efforts have been nearly fruitless. In 1997, two Fishery Assistance offices, two
National Fish Hatcheries, one Ecological Services office, and two State Fish and
Game departments (North Dakota and Montana) all worked together and only
five sturgeons were spawned. Attempts to spawn Pallid Sturgeon have dated
back to 1988, but there have been no positive results. (Scaphirhynchus albus,
2012)
The Pallid Sturgeon’s endangerment has been recognized, however the
efforts to save this poor species have not had the greatest results.
3. What else could/should be done in your opinion?
Since this species has shown that it is not easy to restore their numbers, a lot
more needs to be done in order for the Pallid Sturgeon to survive. There should be
continuous efforts by hatcheries along the Missouri river to stock thousands of fish
that can be released once the habitat is restored. Along with hatcheries, more people
living along the river need to be aware of the endangered species that has inhabited
the same river since the Cretaceous Period. (Gehring, 2008)
One of the main reasons the Pallid Sturgeon is suffering is because of human
activities negatively affecting their environment. For example, dams have changed
the natural flow of the ecosystem which is creating a different environment than the
one the pallid evolved to live in. (Gehring, 2008) More human awareness could
possibly result in less habitat destruction for the helpless sturgeon. Even though it
might sound farfetched, removal of the dams would be the best option in order to
recover the species. This would be a huge step in saving the sturgeon because
habitat destruction is the number one threat to the species.
Also, there should be more jobs by better monitoring and enforcing of laws to
protect the pallid from commercial fishermen. The consequences of catching the
endangered pallid should be more severe. For example, catching a pallid could be
considered a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Lastly, the role of environmental contamination should not be overlooked.
There should be a stronger emphasis on preventing continued pollution of the
Missouri and Mississippi River basins. This would not only benefit the Pallid
Sturgeon, but also all the species that inhabit this ecosystem.
4. From an environmental perspective, why should your animal be saved?
Discuss the local, domestic, and global impact if your animal becomes extinct
If the Pallid Sturgeon were to become extinct, it is true that it might not have
much of a global impact. However, it’s important to understand that the more
species that become extinct, the greater chance of an overall global impact.
Domestically, the extinction of the Pallid Sturgeon could have a slight impact.
The pallid’s habitat extends through multiple states. If the species were to go
extinct, many of the people living on the river would not be able to enjoy the
caviar and tasty meat the pallid provides.
The Pallid Sturgeon is crucial to its environment because it is considered a
good indicator species. (Gehring, 2008) It can sense changes in its environment
and acts as a barometer of the health of the river. The pallid has sensors in its
head and nose that can detect the smallest changes in water flow, temperature,
and other factors. (Gehring, 2008) This endangered species also plays a crucial
role in the food web by eating the smaller aquatic insects and minnows. The
Pallid Sturgeon fills an important ecological niche in its environment. The pallid
has evolved to play a crucial role in its habitat, a role that should only be filled
out by the pallid. The struggling Pallid Sturgeon that has lived in the same river
for over 70 million years deserves a chance at life. It should not have to suffer
from human causes.