Haiti excursus:

Deforestation so severe, 2% forest cover; charcoal source of energy

Most food calories from outside of country.

Extreme vulnerability due to too many people and too few food and energy calories available in the country. Hurricanes and sea level rise already worsening vulnerability before the earth quake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y450UgRBxqg&feature=player_embedded

Haiti is the most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere; the population density in 2002 was 659 per sq mi; world average 100 per sq mile; USA 70; Cuba 235; China 325). Population statistics from the Population Reference Bureau:

1901 = 1.3 million1925 = 2.5 million

1950 = 3 million1975 = 4.5 million

2000 = 7.1 million2010 = 9 million (-150-200k)

Projections:2025 = 11.5 million2050 = 14.3 million

Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity, Eric Chivian and Aaron Bernstein, eds., (Oxford University Press, 2008)

Biodiversity makes the Earth habitable.

It provides food, fiber, shelter, medicines, recycling of waste and many other essential goods and services.

Haiti used to be a densely forested tropical paradise. Even before the earthquake it could not provide adequate sustenance for its peoples and was caught in a downward economic, ecological, and social spiral. It was already a failed state whose people had become dependent on others as a direct result of the destruction of their environment.

The State of the Planet Report

• Diverse, credible sources, despite many uncertainties, summary of the best available science.

• Disagreement is fine as are interruptions with questions.

• One need not agree with every scientific perception or conjecture to realize that these must be dealt with when considering moral obligations to the natural world.

• Only with such basic consensus facts in mind can we properly turn to the wellsprings of moral concern in religion and philosophy.

Ok, hold on to your heart and mind — here we go.

ECOLOGICAL

APOCALYPSE

Now?

30% of the Natural World Was

Destroyed Between 1970 & 1995• Consumption pressure doubled during

these 25 years • Consumption rates have kept

accelerating• Source: the 1998 “The Living Planet Report” by World Wide Fund or Nature, New Economics

Foundation, and World Conservation Monitoring Center (Cambridge)

Marine Ecosystems --Rapidly Declining

– from 1970 to 1995

• They deteriorated 30 per cent, • Declining nearly 4 percent annually

– Marine fish consumption has more than doubled since 1970

– Most of the world's fish are fully exploited or declining

– Some fish populations have collapsed (e.g, New England Cod fishery)

Global Fish Harvest• World fisheries landings have increased from

18.5 million metric tons in 1950 to 121 million metric tons in 1996.

• Presently China grabs 25% of the catch• 70% of the global catch is landed by only 12

nations. • The United States ranks fifth, with landings of

5-6 million tons in recent years.• 25-30% of fish are used industrially (mostly to

fed livestock)

U.S. Coastal dead zones

Freshwater resources are

being rapidly depleted.• Humans now use half of Earth’s surface-area

fresh water — twice that of 1970. • The rate of decline of freshwater ecosystems is

averaging 6 percent per year.• This dries up wetlands and threatens species

dependent on them.» Vitousek, P. M., J. L. Mooney, and J. M. Melillo. July 25, 1997. Human Domination of

Ecosystems. Science 277(5325): 494-9.

Freshwater Ecosystems – Even more degraded than marine ones

– Have already lost more species than on land and in the oceans.

– 34 percent of remaining fish species are threatened with extinction

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Agroecosystems (agricultural ecosystems)

• 40% of the world’s agricultural land is seriously degraded– 75% of Central American crop land– 20% of (mostly pasture) land in Africa– 11% in Asia

• Soil degradation has affected two-thirds of world’s agricultural lands in last 50 years.

• Long-term food production capacity is imperiled in many regions

» World Resources 2000-2001, People and Ecosystems: the fraying web of life.» Produced by WRI, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN

Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank. » 175 scientists contributed to the report, published Sept 2000

Deforestation– Between 1970 and 1995 the world’s

natural forest cover :• declined about 10 per cent

– as wood and paper consumption increased by two-thirds

• at a rate averaging 0.5 per cent per year – this is equivalent to an annual loss of forest the

size of England and Wales.

Increasing Consumption:Key to Destruction

• The world's people have consumed more goods and services since 1950 than all previous generations put together.

• Taiwan, the U.S. and Singapore have the most voracious consumers.

• The average North American or Japanese consumes 10 times the resources as does an average Bangladeshi.

• The average N. American consumes fives times more than people in Africa and Asia.

The State of the Planet ~

Biodiversity in Peril

Biological DiversityBiological DiversityThe Variety of Species and The Variety of Species and the Genetic Diversity within the Genetic Diversity within them: the Key to the Vitality them: the Key to the Vitality

of Lifeof Life

This presentation draws from International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Animals reports since 1996. . . .

The WR 2000-2001 report, produced by the World Resources Institute, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank, with over 175 scientists contributing

Relative Abundance of Species

Biodiversity Decline Biodiversity Decline - An Overview- An Overview

Biodiversity Loss -- Biodiversity Loss -- Greatest Environmental Greatest Environmental

Threat?Threat?

Nearly 400 biologists in 1998 said so Nearly 400 biologists in 1998 said so in a poll:in a poll:– Seven of 10 said they believed Seven of 10 said they believed a a

"mass extinction" was already "mass extinction" was already underwayunderway

– An equal number fear that An equal number fear that up to up to one-fifth of all living species one-fifth of all living species could disappear within 30 years.could disappear within 30 years.

MammalsMammals

25% of all the world's wild 25% of all the world's wild mammals are threatened mammals are threatened with extinctionwith extinction–Habitat loss and degradation are primarily responsible.

African Elephants

PrimatesPrimates Humans are primates, of course. Few Humans are primates, of course. Few

consider humans threatened.consider humans threatened. Other primates are, of course, Other primates are, of course,

humanity’s closest cousins (chimps, humanity’s closest cousins (chimps, e.g., share 98.5% of same dna)e.g., share 98.5% of same dna)

325 species, of these, 130 325 species, of these, 130 endangered, including all endangered, including all Orangutans, Orangutans, chimpanzees, and most gorillas.chimpanzees, and most gorillas.– with subspecies included, 608 distinct with subspecies included, 608 distinct

populationspopulations

Gorillas and Chimpanzees Gorillas and Chimpanzees “critically endangered” “critically endangered” ((NatureNature, ,

2003)2003)

Due to hunting + now ebola.Due to hunting + now ebola. Populations plummeted by ½ in Gabon Populations plummeted by ½ in Gabon

and Republic of Congo between and Republic of Congo between 1983+2000; these 2 countries have 80% 1983+2000; these 2 countries have 80% of world’s gorillas and most of its of world’s gorillas and most of its chimps.chimps.

raterate of extermination is increasing. of extermination is increasing. Princeton’s Peter Walsh (2003): “If we don’t do something Princeton’s Peter Walsh (2003): “If we don’t do something

radical, gorillas and chimpanzees will be effectively radical, gorillas and chimpanzees will be effectively extinct from western equatorial Africa within the next ten extinct from western equatorial Africa within the next ten years.”years.”

Miss Waldron's red colobus ~ disappeared in 20th century, declared extinct September 2000

Golden Bamboo Leumr(Madagascar)

Sumatran orangutan

(Indonesia)

Cross River Gorilla (Nigeria and Cameroon,

West Africa; about 150 remain in small, isolated populations)

Yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Andes,Peru)

PlantsPlants 1 in 8 plant species is 1 in 8 plant species is

threatened with extinction.threatened with extinction. In the United States it is 1 in 3. In the United States it is 1 in 3.

– 90% of plants on endangered list are 90% of plants on endangered list are native only to the U.S. native only to the U.S.

Main causes: Main causes: – habitat loss due to agriculture, logging, habitat loss due to agriculture, logging,

development and development and – exotic species invasions drive out native exotic species invasions drive out native

speciesspecies

Semaphore Cactus

TreesTrees Logging and conversion have shrunk the Logging and conversion have shrunk the

world’s forests by as much as half. world’s forests by as much as half. 9 percent of the world’s tree species are 9 percent of the world’s tree species are

at risk of extinctionat risk of extinction

World Resources 2000-2001: People and World Resources 2000-2001: People and Ecosystems: The Fraying Web of LifeEcosystems: The Fraying Web of Life, sept 2000, sept 2000

Dembaya rodriguesiana

Extinct in the wild. This species is unique to Rodrigues Island and once included male and female trees. The one remaining female tree was blown down in a cyclone in 1984. The male, pictured here, died in 1994. Cuttings of both these trees have been taken.

Hyophorbe amariculls One remaining in the wild. This palm is the only known plant of its species, which is unique to the island of Mauritius. Although it produces both male and female flowers, no viable fruit has been produced, and efforts to grow it in the laboratory have failed.

Plant diversity declining ~ Plant diversity declining ~ fewer seed varieties cultivatedfewer seed varieties cultivated

In the USA: In the USA: – 80% fewer seed varieties sold, compared 80% fewer seed varieties sold, compared

to a century ago.to a century ago.– 29% of plant species (4,669) endangered29% of plant species (4,669) endangered

GloballyGlobally– 30,000 plant species endangered30,000 plant species endangered

Genetic losses permanentGenetic losses permanent– A pest-resistant gene found in a seed from A pest-resistant gene found in a seed from

Turkey was nearly extinct.Turkey was nearly extinct. Worldwatch, 1999Worldwatch, 1999

ReptilesReptiles Jamaican Jamaican

Iguana, Iguana, thought thought extinct, extinct, numbers numbers about 100 about 100 animalsanimals

BirdsBirds25% already extinct Birds are probably suffering the Birds are probably suffering the

greatest declines currentlygreatest declines currently

Vitousek, P. M., J. L. Mooney, and J. M. Melillo. Vitousek, P. M., J. L. Mooney, and J. M. Melillo. July 25, 1997. Human Domination of July 25, 1997. Human Domination of Ecosystems. Ecosystems. ScienceScience 277(5325): 494-9 277(5325): 494-9

Dusky Seaside Sparrow

Extinct (1990)

~

Lived in Florida (Merritt Island)

& along the St. Johns river

California Condor

- A huge vulture that declined from habitat loss and hunting until the few remaining birds were captured in 1987, then numbering 27 in total (in three genetic clans), to begin a captive breeding program.

California Condor

Spotted Owl & Habitat

Wilson’s Warbler

Willow Fly-Catcher

SW United States

GreenKing-Fisher

Endangered Marine LifeEndangered Marine Life

Green Sea Turtle

Manatees

Yangtzee River DolphinsYangtzee River Dolphins~ ~

Declared Extinct in 2006Declared Extinct in 2006

Andronomous Fish declining, Andronomous Fish declining, e.g., Pacific Salmon is extinct e.g., Pacific Salmon is extinct

from much of its original from much of its original rangerange

Yet, Summer 2000: Yet, Summer 2000: The Clinton administration refused to breach a The Clinton administration refused to breach a

series of dams in the upper Columbia River series of dams in the upper Columbia River basin, even though government scientists basin, even though government scientists concluded breaching was the best hope for wild concluded breaching was the best hope for wild salmon.salmon.

Atlantic Salmon also Atlantic Salmon also decliningdeclining

The most critical The most critical breeding-age fish breeding-age fish estimated at 2.5-5 estimated at 2.5-5 million (originally)million (originally)

800,000 (1975)800,000 (1975) 80,000 (1998)80,000 (1998) Cross-breeding with Cross-breeding with

less hearty less hearty domesticated domesticated salmon is suspectedsalmon is suspected

Endangered Freshwater Endangered Freshwater Ecosystems & OrganismsEcosystems & Organisms

Dams, Channels and water Dams, Channels and water diversions largely diversions largely

responsibleresponsible Twenty percent of the Twenty percent of the

world’s freshwater world’s freshwater species are extinct or species are extinct or in perilin peril

At least 10,000 At least 10,000 freshwater fish freshwater fish species are threatened species are threatened globally.globally.

They have They have fragmented nearly fragmented nearly 60 percent of the 60 percent of the world’s largest world’s largest rivers, seriously rivers, seriously degrading them.degrading them.

World World Resources Resources 2000-20012000-2001

Dam devastationDam devastation In 1950: 5,270 In 1950: 5,270

large damslarge dams Today: there are Today: there are

36,500 large 36,500 large damsdams

Since Egypt's Aswan Since Egypt's Aswan Dam completed in 1970, Dam completed in 1970, number of fish species number of fish species harvested on the Nile has harvested on the Nile has dropped by two thirdsdropped by two thirds

Salmon are extinct in Salmon are extinct in much of the United much of the United States due to dam States due to dam building, and are widely building, and are widely imperiled elsewhereimperiled elsewhere

Channeling DeathChanneling Death Channelized waterways in Channelized waterways in

1900 = almost 9,0001900 = almost 9,000 Today = nearly 500,000Today = nearly 500,000 Result: extinction of many Result: extinction of many

species and dramatic declines species and dramatic declines in many others.in many others.

Other insults threatening Other insults threatening freshwater ecosystemsfreshwater ecosystems

Industrial discharges and agricultural and Industrial discharges and agricultural and urban runoffurban runoff

Competition from nonnative species Competition from nonnative species displace and drives native fish toward displace and drives native fish toward extinction.extinction.

Overfishing, Overfishing, – e.g., is currently driving various sturgeon e.g., is currently driving various sturgeon

species toward extinction in the Caspian species toward extinction in the Caspian Sea and its tributaries.Sea and its tributaries.

Is the Lake Winnebago Sturgeon next?Is the Lake Winnebago Sturgeon next?

Yet more insultsYet more insults Water diversions Water diversions

– for agriculture and urban water supplies >> all for agriculture and urban water supplies >> all native fish species in the lower Colorado River native fish species in the lower Colorado River basin are either endangered or extinctbasin are either endangered or extinct

SiltationSiltation– a major factor in the decline of endemic fishes a major factor in the decline of endemic fishes

globallyglobally Wetland conversionWetland conversion

– Half of the world’s wetlands destroyed in the Half of the world’s wetlands destroyed in the last century. last century.

World Resources 2000-2001World Resources 2000-2001

Amphibian - DeclineAmphibian - Decline Frogs, toads, and salamanders Frogs, toads, and salamanders

going extinct and declining going extinct and declining rapidlyrapidly

Primary cause: Destruction of Primary cause: Destruction of wetlands.wetlands.

Declines are also occurring in Declines are also occurring in apparently undisturbed habitatsapparently undisturbed habitats

(1)(1) GGastric brooding frogs (2 species), native astric brooding frogs (2 species), native to Australia, disappeared in the early to Australia, disappeared in the early 1980s.1980s.

(2)(2) The red-legged frog is no longer present in The red-legged frog is no longer present in entire counties and valleys on the North entire counties and valleys on the North American Pacific coast, where it was once American Pacific coast, where it was once abundant and common.abundant and common.

(3)(3) The golden toad of Costa Rica was last The golden toad of Costa Rica was last seen in 1989. seen in 1989.

Golden ToadsCosta Rica (picture taken in 1989)

Amphibian - DeformitiesAmphibian - Deformities

Since 1995, reports of malformed Since 1995, reports of malformed amphibians have increasedamphibians have increased. Suspects:. Suspects:

skin funguses kill larvae and skin funguses kill larvae and adult amphibians. adult amphibians.

Non-native predators, such as Non-native predators, such as voracious bullfrogs and trout, voracious bullfrogs and trout, that kill native amphibian that kill native amphibian species.species.

Amphibian - DeformitiesAmphibian - DeformitiesEPA 2003: ‘Smoking Gun’ study finds EPA 2003: ‘Smoking Gun’ study finds

atrazine, a common pesticide, atrazine, a common pesticide, responsible for sexual abnormalities in responsible for sexual abnormalities in frogsfrogs (producing company’s scientists dispute the (producing company’s scientists dispute the conclusions; and lead scientist resigned, complaining conclusions; and lead scientist resigned, complaining they tried to prevent the dissemination of the they tried to prevent the dissemination of the findings; a UF professor was implicated by the NY findings; a UF professor was implicated by the NY Times in the suppression effort.Times in the suppression effort.

Atrazine is banned in 7 European, but Atrazine is banned in 7 European, but not in North America.not in North America.

Other pollutants, including herbicides, insecticides Other pollutants, including herbicides, insecticides and crop fertilizers remain suspects too.and crop fertilizers remain suspects too.

Biodiversity Loss is also Biodiversity Loss is also about declining genetic about declining genetic

varietyvariety

• Declining numbers fosters genetic “bottlenecks” which reduce genetic variety.

• Reduced genetic variety increases the Reduced genetic variety increases the vulnerability of species to disease by vulnerability of species to disease by eliminating genetically resistant eliminating genetically resistant members.members.

The bottleneck effect

Main threats to Main threats to SpeciesSpecies

Habitat destruction by logging and Habitat destruction by logging and mining, for agricultural or human mining, for agricultural or human settlements and transportationsettlements and transportation

Invasive Species introductionsInvasive Species introductions– Which eat or compete Which eat or compete

against/displace native speciesagainst/displace native species– Which reduce or eliminate food Which reduce or eliminate food

sources for native speciessources for native species

Endangered Endangered Ecosystem TypesEcosystem Types

Not only species are at Not only species are at risk --risk --

So are entire So are entire ecosystemsecosystems

North America’s North America’s EcosystemsEcosystems

Of North America’s 116 large EcoregionsOf North America’s 116 large Ecoregions 13 have biodiversity as great as in 13 have biodiversity as great as in

the Everglades the Everglades 32 are rated “globally outstanding”32 are rated “globally outstanding” BUT 30 have shrunk 98% and are BUT 30 have shrunk 98% and are

“critically endangered.”“critically endangered.” Source: "A Conservation Assessment of the Terrestrial Ecoregions of

North America”, World Wildlife Fund

Endangered Endangered ecoregionsecoregions

Midwest’s tallgrass prairiesMidwest’s tallgrass prairies and oak savannas and oak savannas – have been almost entirely destroyedhave been almost entirely destroyed

Southeastern pine forestsSoutheastern pine forests (N. Florida) (N. Florida)– Once supported one of the richest assemblages of forest-Once supported one of the richest assemblages of forest-

floor plants on earth, as well as now-endangered animals floor plants on earth, as well as now-endangered animals such as the red cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise. such as the red cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise.

– Merely 2 percent of these forests remainMerely 2 percent of these forests remain

Southern California Sage Scrub EcosystemsSouthern California Sage Scrub Ecosystems – These ecosystems, largely destroyed by intensive These ecosystems, largely destroyed by intensive

development, represent one of only five habitat groups on development, represent one of only five habitat groups on earth with “Mediterranean” climates.earth with “Mediterranean” climates.

– Although these five habitat groups occupy only fragments of Although these five habitat groups occupy only fragments of earth's surface, these unique habitats -- hot and dry in earth's surface, these unique habitats -- hot and dry in summer, cool and wet in winter -- they retain 20 percent of summer, cool and wet in winter -- they retain 20 percent of earth’s plant species!earth’s plant species!

Florida Species at RiskFlorida Species at RiskThere are 111 species listed as threatened or endangered in Florida, 56 Animals and 55 Plants

These include the Florida Panther, which is critically endangered. With about only 100 left, they are regularly killed by automobiles, and have difficulty finding food due to development / habitat loss. JAN 2010 REPORT: 17 OF ABOUT 100 PANTHERS KILLED BY CARS IN 2009.

The Florida Panther & Inbreeding The Florida Panther & Inbreeding DepressionDepression

Scientists noted that the native populations had

genetic abnormalities due to inbreeding that was

reducing their survival. The controversial introduction has,

apparently, increased the viability of the

population.

To save the panther eight female panthers from Texas were introduced in the mid 1990s. Hybrid kittens survived better than purebreds.

Here, in 2008, a panther seeing refuge from harassing jobs near a housing development in So. Florida In 2009, 24 Panthers were killed, 17 by cars (about 15% of the population). Between 100 and 120 were left

in 2010.

Florida Box TurtleFlorida Box Turtle

Florida Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina bauri

Growth/development/habitat destruction is the biggest problem, for farmland & housing & industry; often buried alive and killed by cars. Declining rapidly, not yet listed as threatened. Only recently was live burial by developers disallowed.

Whooping Cranes (Grus Whooping Cranes (Grus americana)americana)

Critically endangered; from 16 individuals to about 400 in 2009 (all of North America). Recovery efforts include re-establishing migratory routes with Florida wintering sites.

HawksbillAtlantic Loggerhead Atlantic Green

American Alligator American Crocodile

FloridaPanther

Key Deer

Florida Black Bear

West Indian Manatee

Peregrine Falcon

Red-CockadedWoodpecker

Snail Kite

BaldEagle

Crested Caracara

Wood Stork Florida Scrub Jay

10 Million Years: period 10 Million Years: period needed for recovery from needed for recovery from

extinction episodesextinction episodes• Whether episode is massive or minorWhether episode is massive or minor• We may have already, or soon will We may have already, or soon will

have, destroyed enough species that have, destroyed enough species that recovery will require millions of years.recovery will require millions of years.• 10 million years is 20 times longer than 10 million years is 20 times longer than

we (Homo sapiens) have existed and we (Homo sapiens) have existed and longer than our species may persist.longer than our species may persist.

• From March 2000 study in From March 2000 study in NatureNature

The State of the Planet The State of the Planet ~ Toxic Pollution~ Toxic Pollution

The State of the Planet The State of the Planet ~ Global Warming~ Global Warming

The State of the Planet The State of the Planet ~ Deforestation~ Deforestation

Golden bamboo Lemur,Madagascar