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Corey Mano SEADISC 2ND 12/4/12 Website Content 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.