9.9 - Endangered Species

Question 1

How Species become endangered

Answer 1

Poaching:
- Poachers hunt exotic species for fur, tusks, horns
- May also be over harvested or hunted for food
- Removed from wild & sold as pets

Special food/habitat needs:
- Niche specialists are more prone to endangerment due to specific food/habitat needs
- Less tolerant of changing climate, habitat loss, wildfires, deforestation, urbanization, etc.

Invasives:
- Invasives can outcompete natives for resources (food, water, sun, space)
- Zebra mussels have endangered 30 native mussel species in US rivers

Climate Change:
- Shifts habitats of many species
- Migration to new habitat is harder with fragmentation/loss
- Changes in temp/precip. can occur too rapidly for some species to migrate or adapt

Question 2

Protecting Endangered Species

Answer 2

Poaching Protection:
- Hiring of armed guards to monitor populations and prevent poaching
- Laws that punish poaching severely, with stiff fines or jail time

Legislation:
- CITES: International agreement for countries to set up agencies to monitor import and export of endangered species (as specified by IUCN Red List)
- Endangered Species Act: US law giving USFWS power to designate species as endangered or threatened, monitor trade, and purchase land critical to these species’ habitats

Protect Wildlife Habitats:
- Designating areas with important habitats as:
- National parks
- Wildlife preserves
- Animal sanctuaries
- Prevention of hunting, development, fragmentation, deforestation
- Allows species to breed and reestablish population size

Question 3

Specialist vs Generalist

Answer 3

Specialist:
- Most likely to be endangered or become extinct
- Less likely to move to new habitat
- Less likely to adapt to new conditions
- Disadvantaged by rapidly changing habitat conditions

Generalist:
- Least likely to be endangered or become extinct
- More likely to move to new habitat
- More likely to adapt to new conditions
- Advantaged by rapidly changing habitat conditions

Question 4

Competition and Endangerment

Answer 4

• Interspecific competition: competition for resources (food, nest sites, water) amongst members of different species
• Can cause species to become threatened, especially when combined with general habitat fragmentation or loss due to human land use
• Can further threaten species already vulnerable to habitat disruption due to climate change