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Conservation
Chapter 14
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
Human Impacts on Biodiversity
Flathead Lake,
Montana
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
The Ecosystem Approach
Bird Success Stories
California Condor
Whooping Crane
Peregrine Falcon
Canada Goose
Wild Turkey