Endangered Species of the United States Ecology 2010

Endangered Species of Endangered Species of the the

United StatesUnited States

Ecology2010

Why is this Important?

• Humans are the Main Cause of animal and plant Extinction

• Harming an Endangered or Threatened Animal or plants Habitat is Illegal

• Animal and Plant Conservation is a Major part of Agriculture

Endangered vs. ThreatenedEndangered vs. Threatened• Endangered: A species that is in danger

throughout all or a significant portion of its Habitat.

• Threatened: Species that is likely to become endangered in the Foreseeable Future

Other Terms• Extinct Species: A species that is no longer

living. ex. Dodo Bird• Poaching: The Illegal Hunting, Killing, or

Capturing of Animals.• Native Species: Species that have inhabited

a certain geographical Area for a lengthy Period of time.

• Exotic Species: Introduced to a new Environment by way of Human Activity.

FACTSFACTS• Illinois has 37 threatened or endangered

species of plants and animals

• The Hawaiian Islands have 344 threatened or endangered plants and animals

• The United States has over 1,000 Endangered and Threatened Species

Endangered Species Act

• Established in 1973• Amended in 1978, 1982, and 1988• Established Laws and Provisions for

Endangered Species in the United States and other Countries

Making the List• Population reduction of 50% in the last 10 years • Area occupied is less than 500 Square Km (311 sq Miles) - New York City: 303 Sq Miles• Population is estimated at less than 2,500 Mature

Individuals and Number is Declining• Total Population is less than 250 Mature Individuals• Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 20%

within 20 years

Causes of Endangerment

• Habitat Destruction

• Overexploitation

• Introduction of Exotic Species

Habitat Destruction• This is the Primary Cause of Species

Endangerment• Humans are the main cause of rapid habitat

loss• Fire Destruction and Timber Harvesting• Urbanization

Overexploitation• Species that become endangered due to the

rate at which the species is being Used• Animal Trading and Illegal Hunting or

Poaching

Intro. of Exotic Species• Exotic Species can disrupt the ecological

Balances of a Region• Competition for food and Native Animals

Become Prey• Scenario:

– What is the Apex Predator in the Area?– What Happens if we introduce a new Predator?– What Happens if we introduce a New Food Source?

The project has 3 components:

•Research: A bibliography with at least two resources

Approved websites include any that end in .edu, .net, .gov, .orgDo not use .com sites or Wikipedia!

You may use www.endangeredspecies.com, www.nationalgeographic.com

*

*PowerPoint including the following information:

•Picture(s) of animal – atleast 3•The common name and scientific name of the species.•A description of the natural habitat and where in the world the animal is found. Include a map for reference.•Life history characteristics: diet, size of animal, housing requirements, climate requirements, relationship with other species (Predator/prey), how old are they before they reproduce, how many offspring and how often do they reproduce•Group or pack animal? All basic biology and interesting facts.•Why this animal is endangered? For example: Over hunting? Habitat destruction? When was it listed as endangered?•What is the present-day world-wide population size? How many left?•What conservation efforts are underway? What is being done to save the species? Are the efforts working? What organizations exist to promote the preservation of this species?•Five question quiz (answers not included on the screen)*A presentation to the class on your findings lasting at least 2 minutes, but not longer than 4 minutes.

*A presentation to the class on your findings lasting at least 2 minutes, but not longer than 4 minutes.

Last component: Presentation to class

Details Cont.Details Cont.• What you need in your Project:

– Power Point Slide Presentation• Needs Slide Transitions and animations

– Name of each Animal– Habitat of Each Animal– What each animal eats– If animal is endangered or threatened– State(s) the animal inhabits– Why Animal is endangered (Habitat loss, Hunting..)– Pictures:

• (2)Animal, Habitat, and (2)Food

Group DetailsGroup Details• Each member is to be assigned either the Reptile,

Mammal, or Bird to research• Each group presents their Project to the class

– Each member presents their section of the Project

• Each Presentation should be at least 3 Minutes long, but no longer than 5 minutes

• Be Prepared to Answer Questions about your Species or Vocabulary when your Group is Finished

Name of AnimalName of Animal• Habitat• What They Eat• Endangered or threatened• State(s) animal inhabits• Why

Endangered/Threatened• Anything Extra

Picture of Animal (1)

Name of AnimalName of AnimalPicture of Animal (2)

Picture of Habitat

Picture of Food (2)

Picture of Food (1)