ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE

1

What events or actions threaten species today, and what conservation status designations are used to identify the threat level? How does the loss or reduction of a species impact its ecosystem?

INFOGRAPHICS 13.1 AND 13.2

Question 13.1

True or False: The most serious conservation designation for a threatened species is “endangered.”

FALSE

Question 13.2

The leading cause of species endangerment and extinction is:

  • invasive species.

  • pollution.

  • climate change.

  • habitat destruction.

D

Question 13.3

Explain how the decline of the forest elephant affects other species that share its ecosystem.

Elephants are a keystone species that modifies the environment in ways that make it more habitable for other species, thus increasing biodiversity. Without savanna elephants, the grasslands would transition to shrubland or forest (a problem for the many grassland species who live there). Without forest elephants, many plant species would not be dispersed and the physical structure of the forest would change.

2

How do single-species conservation programs compare to ecosystem-based approaches?

INFOGRAPHICS 13.3 AND 13.4

Question 13.4

True or False: In a landscape conservation approach, the single most important indicator species in a habitat is targeted for protection. By protecting or restoring the habitat it needs, other species in the area will also be protected.

FALSE

Question 13.5

How does ecosystem conservation differ from single-species conservation?

  • The ecosystem approach has been more successful at attracting the public’s attention to conservation needs.

  • The ecosystem approach focuses on a single “charismatic” species—large, furry, and photogenic.

  • The ecosystem approach involves restoring and protecting an entire habitat and all the species within it.

  • All of the above.

C

Question 13.6

Which approach to protecting forest elephants do you advocate, and why?

Answers will vary but should be supported with evidence or reasoning. The single species approach might be useful in that it could bring in lots of money but the ecosystem approach would benefit more species. The major threats to the forest elephant are poaching (which might best be addressed with a single species approach that educates consumers and local populations) and habitat loss (which would be best addressed with an ecosystem approach that focuses on protecting and restoring habitat). A combination of the two approaches is probably best — use the elephant as a flagship species to bring in money and advertise its plight and then that money could be used to address habitat issues and poaching concerns.

3

How does conservation genetics contribute to the conservation of species?

INFOGRAPHIC 13.5

Question 13.7

Conservation genetics:

  • relies on analysis of species’ DNA to make conservation decisions.

  • is used only for captive breeding of endangered species.

  • is relevant for single-species approaches to conservation but not ecosystem approaches.

  • is used by poachers to identify species.

A

Question 13.8

Local community members are protesting a proposed development because it would destroy a population of sunflowers they believe is a listed endangered species. Developers claim that this flower is found throughout the area and is not endangered. How would conservation genetics help settle this dispute?

Conservation genetics could determine if this was indeed an endangered species or is of the more common variety that is not endangered.

4

What legal protections do threatened species have in the United States and internationally?

TABLE 13.1

Question 13.9

True or False: Human recreation, hunting, and fishing are prohibited in wildlife refuges and wilderness areas in order to protect the threatened species and ecosystems within.

FALSE

Question 13.10

Which of the following is true of the Endangered Species Act?

  • It is very well funded by the government, due to the public’s strong support for it.

  • It has not been effective in saving any species from extinction.

  • It is controversial due to its restrictions on landowners.

  • It mainly protects endangered species outside the United States.

C

Question 13.11

How can CITES protect endangered species if it only regulates international trade? Do you think this is sufficient to protect endangered species? Why or why not?

CITES protects endangered species by controlling their sale or trade across national boundaries, thus making it unproductive to harvest or kill endangered species. Possible answers: Yes, it is enough because if it is difficult or impossible to legally trade/sell ivory (or what have you), then there is no point in poaching it. OR No, because it does not criminalize harvesting the species OR No, because it cannot regulate trade within a country.

Question 13.12

Distinguish between these types of protected areas: national parks, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas, and nature preserves. Why might it be useful to have these different types of protected areas?

National parks are set aside primarily for human recreation. Wildlife refuges and wilderness areas are generally open to visitors, as well as to hunting and fishing, but are not commercially developed (i.e., they have no restaurants, hotels, or other human accommodations). Nature preserves are closed to hunting and fishing; their main goal is to protect wildlife.

5

In what ways are local communities important to the success of conservation efforts? What role do consumers play in protecting biodiversity?

INFOGRAPHIC 13.6 AND TABLE 13.2

Question 13.13

True or False: Land trusts and conservation easements protect private land from future development.

TRUE

Question 13.14

Wildlife camera safaris have replaced hunting safaris in popularity in Africa. (Photos are taken instead of animal lives.) Some of the money from these safaris is going to conservation and to local communities. This is an example of:

  • ecotourism.

  • debt-for-nature programs.

  • a land trust.

  • valuing ecosystem services.

A

Question 13.15

Identify some actions you could personally take that would contribute to conservation of biodiversity.

There are many possible answers here — some actions include: participating in ecotourism opportunities; volunteering time or money to conservation organizations or local natural areas such as parks or other protected areas; educating local community about ways to increase habitat protection (i.e. landowners could plant vegetation alongside streams to prevent water pollution) or decrease harmful actions (i.e. refrain from transporting species from one area to another); avoid buying exotic pets or products made from endangered species.

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