Biodiversity case studies Flashcards
Name an endangered species
The Carnaby’s cockatoo
Describe the Carnaby’s cockatoo breifyly
Large black bird only found in Western Australia. 50% of population since 1950 is thought to be left.
Why is it going extinct?
Habitat loss due to agriculture, specifically what farming
Nest hollows are cleared for firewood - they only made in salmon gum trees that are over 100 years old.
Competition from invasive species
Poaching - they are priced specimens to bird collectors.
Does it matter if the Carnaby’s cockatoo is extinct?
Yes because even if it doesnt provide huge ecological services it is a symbol of the southwest of Western Australia. Feeds on insect larvae so its extinction could have an effect on the food chain.
How much should effort should be made to preserve it and why?
A lot because preserving its habitat won’t only benefit thee Carnaby’s cockatoo. A habitat can provide several niches. It is best to slow down agriculture anyway.
Other endangered species? Think charismatic megafauna
Tiger
Pressures
Chinese medicine, rugs, expensive
Habitat loss
Prediction of total extinction by 2025
Habitat fragmentation causing inbreeding
What action is being taken?
WWF is working in nearly all of the 14 countries that tigers inhabit.
They are finding alternatives to chinese medicines to try and decrease demand
They are covered under the strictest protection of the convention on international trade in endangered species.
Why should we save tigers?
They are charismatic megafauna, if we don’t save them who do we save?
It is a top predator, the apex of a community. Keeps the wildlife in check.
If tigers go extinct the secondary consumers would thrive and the environment would have less primary producers.
Example of a recovered species?
Golden lion tamarin
Description of golden lion tamarin
Endemic to Atlantic coastal rainforests of Brazil
Only about 1000 in the wild
Pressures for the golden lion tamarin?
only 2% of their habitat is left. Poaching because their skin is valued highly, at around 20.000 USD. They have many predators.
How were the golden lion tamarins’ populations restored?
Captive breeding programmes. Only a 30% success rate of reintroduction but numbers still increased.
Example of an extinct species?
The dodo
Why did the dodo become extinct?
Sailors discovered Mauritius and used it as a restocking point. They ate the Dodo as a source of fresh meat. They then introduced rate, pigs and monkeys who ate the dodo eggs.
