Characteristics of Species Prone to

Extinction

Amphibians

•38% of US amphibian

species in decline

Reasons:

1. Habitat Loss

2. Pollution

3. Disease

Bird Statistics

• 9,800 known bird species

• 70% are declining in number

10 Most Threatened Bird Species

• Ivory-billed woodpecker• California Condor• Whooping Crane• Gunnison Sage-Grouse • Kirtland’s Warbler • Piping Plover • Florida Scrub-Jay • Ashy Storm-Petrel • Golden-cheeked Warbler • Kittlitz’s Murrelet

Bird Migratory RoutesNational Refuges help to protect wetlands along

bird migration routes

Causes of Endangerment

Habitat Loss

#1 Cause

Habitat Loss

• Common problem: habitat fragmentation

Habitat Loss

Habitat Degradation -

Pollution

Invasive Species

Invasive Species• Group 1 – Chinese Privet & Snakes in Florida• Group 2 – Wisteria & Wild Boar• Group 3 – Tamarsik & Grey Squirrel (in Europe)•  • Plants: Chinese Privet / Japanese kudzu / Chinese Wisteria / Bamboo / Hydrilla / Eurasian Milfoil /

Mimosa / • Animals: grey squirrel in England / snakes in Florida / Wild Boar / Snake Fish / carp

Role of Introduced Species

• Accidental

• Food crops

• Livestock

• Control Pests

• Pets

• Game - Hunting

• Ornamental

Modes of Transmission

• Stowaways on aircraft• In the ballast water of tankers• Hitchhikers on imported products

• Asian Carp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS7zkTnQVaM

Kudzu Vine

• Beverages• Gourmet

Confections• Herbal

Remedies

Fire Ants

Overfishing - OverhuntingMarket Hunting

Bushmeat

The Rising Demand for Bushmeat

• Increase in African population

• Increase in logging road and access to remote areas

• Increase demand by high-end restaurants

• Source of income for poor people

Profit of Poaching• Mountain Gorilla - $150,000• Panda Pelt – $100,000• Chimpanzee - $50,000• Amazon Macaw - $30,000• Rhinoceros Horn - $28,000 (per kg)

Sale of Exotics

Predator Control & Pest Control

Primary Root of all Causes of Endangerment

Rising Population GrowthRising Resource UseNo Environmental Economic AccountingPoverty