9.9 Endangered Species \

Question 1

4 ways species become endangered

Answer 1

• poaching
• climate change
• invasives
• special food/habitat needs

Question 2

Explain poaching

Answer 2

• Poachers hunt exotic species for fur, tusks, horns
• Removed from wild & sold as pets
• May also be over harvested or hunted for food

Question 3

Explain invasives

Answer 3

• Invasives can outcompete natives for resources (food, water, sun, space)
• Zebra mussels have endangered 30 native mussel species in US rivers

Question 4

Explain special food/ special habitat needs

Answer 4

Niche specialists are more prone to endangerment due to specific food/habitat needs
- Less tolerant of changing climate, habitat loss, wildfires, deforestation, urbanization, etc.

Question 5

Explain climate change

Answer 5

Shifts habitats of many species
- Migration to new habitat is harder with fragmentation/loss
- Changes in temp/precip. can occur too rapidly for some species to migrate or adapt

Question 6

Ways to protect extenxtion

Answer 6

Poaching protection
- legislation
- protect wildlife habitats

Question 7

Explain poaching protection

Answer 7

Hiring of armed guards to monitor populations and prevent poaching
- Laws that punish poaching severely, with stiff fines or jail time

Question 8

Explain legislation

Answer 8

• CITES: International agreement for countries to set up agencies to monitor import and export of endangered species (as specified by IUCN Red List)
• Endangered Species Act: US law giving USFWS power to designate species as endangered or threatened, monitor trade, and purchase land critical to these species’ habitats

Question 9

Explain protecting wildlife habitats

Answer 9

• Designating areas with important habitats as:
  - National parks
  - Wildlife preserves
  - Animal sanctuaries
• Prevention of
  - Hunting, development, fragmentation,
  deforestation
• Allows species to breed and reestablish population size

Question 10

Specialist vs generalist

Answer 10

Specialist:
- Less likely to move to new habitat
- Less likely to adapt to new conditions
- Disadvantaged by rapidly changing habitat conditions
- More likely to be endangered
Generalist:
- More likely to move to new habitat
- More likely to adapt to new conditions
- Advantaged by rapidly changing habitat conditions
- Less likely to be endangered

Question 11

What is interspecific competition

Answer 11

competition for resources (food, nest sites, water) amongst members of different species

Question 12

What can interspecific competition cause

Answer 12

• Can cause species to become threatened, especially when combined with general habitat fragmentation or loss due to human land use
• Can further threaten species already vulnerable to habitat disruption due to climate change