Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (*)
region surrounding the northwestern Hawaiian Islands which protects an area the size of California and over 7,000 marine species (1/4 of which are endemic); human activities are limited (no fishing, fossil fuel extraction, coral harvesting) and will help
sixth mass extinction
.5% of our species are becoming extinct at a rate that rivals that of the Cretaceous period; unique because 1) is occuring over a relatively short period of time; 2) is the first humans have experienced; and 3) is due to human cause
extinction
when the last member of a species dies; world currently experiences about 50,000 per year
inbreeding depression
individuals with similar genotypes (relatives) breed with each other and produce an offspring with an impaired fitness (ability to survive and reproduce), due to its receiving two copies of a harmful mutation in the genome
Florida panther's decline in genetic diversity (*)
due to hunting and habitat destruction, the panther was reduced to a small population (20-30) in south Florida and suffered from the effects of inbreeding depression (heart defects, morphologically abnormal sperm); introduction of genotypes from a Texas p
endangered
a species at serious risk of extinction
decline in genetic diversity of livestock (*)
modern breeding artificially selects for animals and plants with highest productivity/yield, causing the decline/extinction of historic domesticated organisms that evolved to thrive in local climatic conditions/resist local disease; this limited diversity
Svalbard Global Seed Vault (*)
international storage facility located in northern Norway; has the capacity to store and protect 14.5 million [crop] seed varieties from a wide range of natural disasters and/or global warming, towards the goal of preserving genetic diversity in face of f
data-deficient species
species which have no reliable data to assess their status; they may be increasing, decreasing, or stable as defined by the IUCN
extinct species
species known to exist as early as the year 1500 but no longer exist today
threatened species
species that have a high risk of extinction in the future
near-threatened species
species very likely to become threatened in the future
least concern species
species that are widespread and abundant, in little to no risk of becoming threatened
decline of birds, mammals, and amphibians (*)
based on the species for which scientists have reliable data, 21% of birds, 32% of mammals, and 49% of amphibians are classified as threatened or near-threatened with extinction (however, of 10 million estimated species, only 50,000 have been assessed due
global decline of ecosystem function
due to decline in species diversity, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2006 found that 15 of 24 ecosystem functions (provisions, support systems, regulating services, etc.) are in decline
basic causes of decline in biodiversity
habitat loss, intrusion of alien species, pollution, climate change, overharvesting
effects of habitat loss on niche specialists (*)
the greatest cause of species decline and extinction is due to decrease in habitat favorable to niche specialists, such as the northern spotted owl's preference of old-growth forests in Washington state; timber harvesting leaves an altered forest habitat
effects of habitat loss due to decline in coral reefs (*)
since 1977, percentage of live coral in Caribbean reefs has declined sharply ((50%-->10%) due to harvesting, pollution, and climate change; this reduces vital habitat for many marine species
effects of habitat loss on brown-headed cowbird's prey (*)
habitat fragmentation increases species interactions due to increase in ecotones/landscapes; for example, when a forest meets a field, nest parasites such as the brown-headed cowbird lay their eggs in other species' nests (ex., chipping sparrow), forcing
native species
species that live in their historical range, typ[ically where they have lived for thousands or millions of years
alien species (exotic species)
species that live outside their historical range, often due to intentional or accidental human introduction
invasive species
alien species, including animals, plants, and pathogens, spread rapidly across large areas, possible because they have no natural enemies in the introduced region to control their populations
kudzu vine (*)
can grow a foot a day and cover anything that doesn't move; originally introduced to U.S. from Japan to prevent erosion, but now competes with other plants (trees, wildflowers) physically, causing them to die from lack of sunlight
zebra mussel (*)
accidentally introduced to the Great Lakes due to transport from the ballast water of cargo ships from the Black Sea (Asia to N.A.); though remove algae and contaminants from this ideal marine ecosystem, they physically crowd native species and compete wi
silver carp (*)
fish transported from Asia to consume excess algae in aquaculture operatinons and sewage treatment holding ponds; has invaded Mississippi River and is heading towards the Great Lakes; may outcompete native species that consume algae and pose a safety issu
alien species in Nordic countries (Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark) (*)
1,700 terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species have been introduced during the last century (mostly terrestrial species, some freshwater vertebrates and marine invertebrates)
reduce introduction of alien invasive species
1) inspect goods coming into a country 2) prohibit wooden packing crates of untreated wood that could contain insect pests
overharvesting of the dodo (*)
sailors, settlers, and introduced rats hunted this bird to extinction on the island of Mauritius in the 1600s; large, flightless, and possessed no innate fear of humans because it evolved without large predators
pollution and biodiversity loss (*)
toxic contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, acids, oil/dispersant) and endocrine disruptors from the air and water can inhibit species' survival and reproduction (fitness); release of nutrients can also cause algal blooms, dead zones, and thermal pollut
climate change and biodiversity loss (*)
climate change that alters patterns of temperature and precipiatation will affect species and the available biomes where they can persist; migration to a more suitable climate is often not possible for species, such as organisms in the the Australian wood
dead zone
a location within a body of water that does not have enough dissolved oxygen to sustain life, due to influx of nutrients and consequent algal bloom/decomposition
Lacey Act (1900 + subsequent amendments)
prohibits transport of illegally harvested game animals (mainly birds + mammals) across U.S. state borders; today prohibits interstate shipping of ALL illegally harvested plants and animals
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) (1973)
international agreement among 175 countries to control trade of threatened animals and plants
Red List
list of threatened species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); each country under CITES assigns a specific agency to monitor and regulate the import and export of animals on the list (ex., FWS in U.S.)
Phillipine forest turtle (*)
though protected by law, illegal trade has caused a rapid decline of this species in the wild due to demand as pets; now exists as a single population on one island in the Phillipines (sells for $50-$75 in Phillipines, $2500 U.S.)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)
single-species approach to conservation; legislation prohibits killing of all marine mammals (ex., polar bears, sea otters, manatees, sea lions) in the U.S. and prohibits import/export of any marine mammal body parts (FWS and Nat'l Marine Fisheries Servic
Endangered Species Act (1973)
implements CITES agreement in U.S.; legislation authorizes FWS to determine species listed as threatened or endangered, and prohibits harming of such species (including trade prohibition of organisms, fur, or body parts). Also authorizes gov't to purchase
recovered U.S. endangered species (*)
bald eagle (habitat protection and reduced contaminants [DDT]), American alligator, Pacific gray whale, and gray wolf populations are stable and even increasing due to assistance from Endangered Species Act (201 invertebrates, 381 invertebrates, and 795 p
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
international treaty to protect biodiversity, with objectives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use biodiversity, and equitably share the benefits of use; however, the 8 year strategic plan from 2002-2010 to reduce rate of biodiversity loss failed, wi
changes in protected land (*)
since the 1960's, there has been an increase in the amount of land under protection throughout the world (preserves biodiversity through the ecosystem approach)
SLOSS (single large or several small?)
concepts of island biogeography (promotes larger preserved "islands") and metapopulations (promotes small, interconnected "islands") create debate over best method to preserve land and, consequently, biodiversity; larger islands host larger populations an
edge habitat
occurs where two different communities come together, typically forming an abrupt transition which may have detrimental effects on species now forced to interact (negative effect of metapopulations/small preserved islands)
biosphere reserves
proetected areas developed by UNESCO consisting of zones that vary in the amount of permissible human impact, protecting biodiversity without excluding all human activity
zonation system of biosphere reserves (*)
a core area is preserved with minimal human contact; a buffer zone surrounds it that permits tourism, environmental education, and scientific research; a transition area surrounds this, and permits sustainable logging and agriculture and human residences
Debt for Nature" Swap (*)
protects large areas of land while improving developing countries' economic conditions; U.S. gov't and environmental organizations provide cash to pay down a portion of the country's debt to the U.S.; the debt is then transferred to environmental organiza