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Wildlife Resources What is happening to the wildlife and plant resources around us today? U.S. Species Diversity Decreasing Biodiversity 10-20% of species alive in 1975 were extinct in 2000 Mostly plants, invertebrates in tropical rain forests (many undescribed species) 40% of all species live in tropical areas Disappear along with forests Extinction Not New 99% of all species have gone extinct Gradual environmental changes have been responsible for most extinctions Rapid environmental changes from asteroids, etc. also have been important in many extinctions Extinction Rates Background (natural) rate of extinction Mass extinction Why Should We Care About Extinctions and Biodiversity? 1) economics 2) aesthetics 3) ecological 4) ethics Cinchona Cinchona ledogeriana, South America Quinine for malaria treatment Rauvolfia Rauvolfia sepentina, Southeast Asia Tranquilizer, high blood pressure medication Foxglove Digitalis purpurea, Europe Digitalis for heart failure Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia, Pacific Northwest Ovarian cancer Human Impacts on Biodiversity Causes of Premature Extinction of Wild Species Human Activities That May Cause Extinctions Habitat disturbance/destruction Commercial hunting Predator and pest control Collecting for pets, zoos, research Pollution Introductions of exotic species Habitat Disturbance and Destruction California Condor Commercial Hunting Black Rhino Range in 1700 Range today (about 2,400 left) Predator and Pest Control African Elephant Probable range 1600 Range today (300,000 left) Collecting for Pets, Zoos, Research Pollution Bald Eagle - DDT Species Introductions Dodo Bird Zebra Mussel Threats from Nonnative Species Strategies for Protecting Biodiversity Species approach Ecosystem approach Protecting Wild Species: The Legal Approach International Treaties: CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species National Laws: ESA - Endangered Species Act Protecting Wild Species: The Sanctuary Approach Wildlife refuges and protected areas - e.g. whooping cranes Gene banks, botanical gardens, and farms Zoos and Aquariums - captive breeding programs The Ecosystem Approach Biosphere reserves U.S. has >30 reserves - Yellowstone National Park - Great Smoky Mtns. National Park Other countries have similar reserves Bird Success Stories California Condor Whooping Crane Peregrine Falcon Canada Goose Wild Turkey Economics and the Environment Sustaining economic growth? - Is growth necessary for progress? - Limited natural resources - Limited capacity to deal with wastes Redirecting Economic Growth Reduce polluting growth, and growth dependent on nonrenewable resources Encourage “clean” and efficient growth, and growth dependent on renewable resources Harmful External Costs and FullCost Pricing External costs - need to eliminate waste in the economy Full-cost pricing - pay true cost for goods and services - recycling fee and pollution tax to cost of new tires, oil changes Politics Orderly distribution of resources Political systems designed to accomplish this goal United States Political System Legislative: enact laws to ensure equitable distribution of resources Clean Air & Water Acts, Water Pollution Control Act, RCRA, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) NEPA Environmental impact statement Short- and long-term effects of project on the environment Examine alternatives United States Political System Executive: enforce the laws Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Enforce environmental regulations Distribute federal money for environmental purposes (Superfund) United States Political System Judicial: interpreting the laws Environmental law - Who “speaks for the trees”? The Lorax Factors Hindering Democracies in Dealing with Environmental Problems Lack of long-range planning (usually focus on short-term issues) Special interest groups have too much influence Too much bureaucracy Religion and the Environment Most environmental degradation has been the result of human attitudes and values. Self-centered view of nature Religion and the Environment All major religions emphasize humans as a part of nature Steward of nature A steward is a caretaker Religion and the Environment 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 More emphasis is being placed on environmental concerns now by the world’s religious leaders. Ecological Crisis? Gloom and doom? Technological optimism? “Good old days”? An important beginning Lots more to accomplish