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5.2 Extinctions and protecting species (Extinction (General overview)…
5.2 Extinctions and protecting species
Extinction (General overview)
Lowers Biodiversity; in contrast to speciation, which increases it
Extirpation: local extinction. Species stioll exists but not in that place.
Background extinction happens due to natural; causes
On average 1 species per million is lost per year
Background extinction rate is lower than speciation rate, so biodiversity would slowly rise, but humans exist lol
About 5 mass extinction's in Earth's history
Some species are more vulnerable than others due to various reasons, like having small populations, being specialists, living in specific habitats, k strategists, commercially valuable
Island Species are particularly vulnerable, since they tend to live in a small range, are often specialists, frequently evolve w/o predators, so they tend to die out quite easily if disturbed. Like the dodo bird.
Human Impact
Humans have made extinction rates about 100 times higher than in prehuman times darn humans
Could lead to mass extinction by this century
Treaties and Laws to Protect Species
IUCN(International Union for the Conservation of Nature) and the Red List
Network of scientists, NGOs, and gov't authorities that assess vulnerability and status of species and habitats
CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
Bans hunting, capturing, and selling of threatened or endangered species
Regularly updated according to new info
Convention on Biological Diversity
Legally commits the 196 signed countries to reduce the rate of extinctions, by focusingg on whole ecosystems and sustainability worldwide
No way to enforce the laws. USA sucks and didn't join.
US Endangered Species Act (ESA)
Identifies and protect endangered and threatened US species, protect any habitat that is ciritcal to any endagnered species
Very successful
Wildlife Refuges
USA refuges allow activities like mining, oil drilling, and use of off-road vehicles, which dmg environment. Allowed in 60%~ of refuges, and current administration plans to reduce number/size of refuges.
Ex situ protection
Seedbanks and botanical gardens: preserves genetic information and seeds of endangered plant species
Wildlife farms: helps reduce hunting in the wild, species can be releawsed to boost wild pops
Zoos and aquariums: preserve individuals of endangered species.