Endangered Species

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity: the number and variety of species on Earth

- the number of species known to science is 1.6 million, most of which are insects

- many scientists estimate about 13 million species on Earth

BIODIVERSITY LOSSNatural Causes of

Biodiversity Loss

Human Causes of Biodiversity Loss

World Examples

- Climate Change- Natural Disaster

-Habitat destruction

- Hunting/Poaching- Exotic Species

- Amazon Rainforest,

Florida Panther- African Elephant- Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussels

Key Terms• Extinct: irreversible disappearance of a population or a species

Eg. Blue Walleye

• Extirpated: a wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in an

area of Canada, but exists elsewhere Eg. Grizzly Bear

• Endangered: a species whose numbers have fallen so low that it is likely to become extinct in the near future

Eg. Barn Owl

• Threatened: species likely to become endangered if protective measures are not taken immediately

Eg. Eastern Massauga Rattlesnake

• Special Concern: a wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a

combination of biological characteristics and identified

threats Eg. Killer Whale

Key Terms Con’t…• CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species –

offshoot of the IUCN that is responsible for limiting the sale of ivory and the killing of Elephants

Eg. 1989 ban on the sale of ivory worldwide

Key Organizations…

• COSEWIC: Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada - is a committee of experts that assesses and designates which wild species are in some danger of disappearing from Canada

• WWF: World Wildlife Fund works to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats and address global threats

• CWS: Canadian Wildlife Service - Canada's national wildlife agency that handles wildlife matters that are the responsibility of

the federal government

Internet Search on Endangered SpeciesSpecies at Risk Location in

CanadaReasons for

StressManagement

Strategies

Extinct:

Blue Walleye

L. Erie, L. Ontario

(Extinct 1965)

Overfishing, competition and agricultural run-off

None

Extirpated:

Grizzly Bear

Prairies Killing and habitat changed to farms or settlements

SARA

Endangered:

Barn Owl

S. B.C., S. ON,

S. Quebec

Urbanization – loss of habitat and prey species

SARAProtected by Ont. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act

Threatened:Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Eastern Shores of Georgian Bay and Bruce Peninsula

Killing and habitat destruction/

fragmentation

SARAProtected by Ont. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act

Special Concern:

Killer Whale

Pacific Ocean

(offshore B.C.)

Boating, toxins, fishing – reduces prey, netting

SARAProtected by Fisheries Act of Canada

Florida Panther - Endangered

African Elephant - Threatened

Purple Loosestrife - Exotic Species

Zebra Mussel - Exotic Species

Blue Walleye - Extinct

Grizzly Bear - Extirpated

Barn Owl - Endangered

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake - Threatened

Killer Whale - Special Concern