QUIZ 2 Flashcards
Why do we conserve species?
-reasonably discrete entities
-nobody owns them
-other aspects of biological diversity can be too complex
Why do CONSERVATION GROUPS make/ use endangered species lists?
-for publicity and public awareness
-to identify causes for concern
why do GOVERNMENTS make/use endangered species list?
-to demonstrate action and concern
-to incorporate into laws and regulations
why do WILDLIFE MANAGERS make/use species list?
as guides for spending and deployment of resources
What is the IUCN Red list of threatened species?
the most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal and plant species
the IUCN red list provides
taxonomic, conservation status, and distribution information on plants and animals
IUCN RED list members are evaluated via
the IUCN red list categories and criteria
main purpose of IUCN Red list
to catalogue and highlight plants and animals facing a higher risk of global extinction (i.e. those listed as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable)
Extinct (EX)
no known individuals remaining
extinct in the wild (EW)
known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range
critically endangered (CR)
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
endangered (EN)
high risk of extinction in the wild
vulnerable (VU)
high risk of endangerment in the wild
near threatened (NT)
likely to become endangered in the near future
least concern (LC)
lowest risk. does not qualify for a more at-risk category, widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category
data deficient (DD)
not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction
How many species are there on the IUCN Red list?
~147, 500 species, more than 41,000 are threatened with extinction ( 28% of assessed species)
what is the Canadian endangered species list?
a legal list of endangered species is mandated under the species at risk act ( SARA, 2003)
The Canadian endangered species list is designed to…
meet one of Canada’s key commitments under the convention on biological diversity
the Canadian endangered species list is based off which pre-existing list ?
the cosewic list
COSEWIC stands for…
COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF ENDANGERED WILDLIFE IN CANADA
cosewic was created when?
1977!
cosewic determines…
the national status of native wild vertebrates, vascular plants, mosses, lichens, arthropods, and molluscs considered to be at risk in Canada based on the best available information.
cosewic was designated a _______ by SARA
advisory body
the importance of COSEWIC
-official source of species risk evaluations for canada (advisory to gov.)
- no action on endangered species protection can occur unless and until species are designated
cosewic category definitions
endangered (E) - species facing imminent extirpation or extinction
threatened (T) - a species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed
special concern (SC) - a species that is particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events but is not an endangered or threatened species
not at risk (NAR) - species that has not been evaluated & found to be not at risk
cosewic category def’n cont’d.
extinct (X) - a species that no longer exists
extirpated (XT) - a species no longer existing in the wild in canada, but occurring elsewhere
X & XT guidelines
- there exists no remaining habitat for the species and there have been no record of the species despite recent survey, or,
-50 yrs have passed since the last credible record of the species despite surveys in the interim, or - there is sufficient information to document that no individuals of the species remain alive
cosewic data deficient (DD)
a species for which there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction
cosewic DD guidelines
classification should be used for cases where the status report has adequately investigated all best available information yet that information in insufficient to (a) determine if any criteria or guidelines required to assign status are met, or (b) ascertain the species’ eligibility for assessment
COSEWIC EX: banff springs snail
-found only in warm pools at Banff
-designated threatened in 1997
-re-examined and designated endangered in May 2000, April 2008, and April 2018
why was the Banff springs snail designated endangered
-canadian endemic species, distribution entirely within 5 separate thermal springs
-springs comprise a single pop., which makes it very susceptible to a catastrophic event
-increase in frequency of springs drying due to climate change is believed to be an important threat to this species’ survival
cosewic example 2: pug nose shiner
- found over sand and mud in slow-moving, clear, vegetated streams and lakes
THREATENED - due to small area of occupancy and consists of numerous small populations, some non-viable. two pop. are extirpated. habitat degradation and loss threatens current populations
assessment of a species eligibility (COSEWIC)
taxonomic validity
native species
regularity of occurrence
special cases
taxonomic validity
recognized species, subspecies or varieties that have been established as valid in published taxonomic works or peer- review communications from specialists
SARA defines wildlife species as…
a species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or a genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organisms
designatable units (DUs) are
subspecies, varieties, or geographically/ genetically distinct populations may be recognized in cases where a single status designation for a species is not sufficient to accurately portray probabilities of extinction within the species
DUs are recognized on the basis of
established taxonomy
genetic evidence
range disjunction
biogeographic distinction
( so long as the status differs among the units)
DUs - established taxonomy
recognized sub-species taxa as listed in appropriate standardized faunal or floral checklists or as currently recognized by relevant scientific authorities
Ex of established taxonomy ~ loggerhead shrike subspecies
L.l. migrans ( endangered by SARA)
vs L.l. excubitorides (threatened by SARA)
DUs - genetic evidence
evidence of genetic distinctiveness including, but not limited to, appropriate inherited traits (morphological, life history, behaviour) and/or genetic markers (e.g. allozymes, DNA microsatellites, DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), DNA sequences, etc.)
Dus - genetic evidence example
Atlantic cod populations have been genetically differentiated
DUs - range disjunction
disjunction between substantial portions of the species’ geographic range such that dispersal of individuals between separated regions has been severely limited for an extended period of time and is not likely in the foreseeable future
DUs- range disjunction ex: Blanding’s turtle
disjunct Nova Scotia population
DUs- biogeographic distinction
occupation of differing eco-geographic regions that are relevant to the species and reflect historical or genetic distinction, as may be depicted on an appropriate ecotone or biogeographic zone map
DUs- biogeographic distinction example
woodland caribou–> an assortment of designations based on ecological areas
examples of non designable units
- management units that are not based on biological criteria consistent with these guidelines (ex: northern cod: stocks identified by management area)
- all potential units within the species have the same status designation
cosewic only considers native species
- an indigenous species that occurs in Canada naturally, or
- is a species that occurred in NA naturally and expanded its range into Canada on its own, has produced viable populations, and has persisted in Canada for at least 50 years
cosewic rules - eligibility –> regularity of occurrence
normally only species that occur regularly in Canada are considered, including regular or seasonal migrants, but excluding vagrants
cosewic - special cases
a taxon may be considered eligible if there are clear conservation reasons for consideration (for example high risk of extinction). In particular, a species which does not meet the eligibility criteria but which is at risk in its primary range outside of Canada could be considered for designation.
COSEWIC does….
*Assess the status of wild species in Canada, based on the best available information
*Identify threats to species
*Produce Status Reports on assessed species
*Forward recommendations to the Minister of the Environment & Climate Change (terrestrial species) and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (aquatic species)
cosewic does not….
*Consider social, political, economic factors *Consider feasibility of recovery
*Make management or recovery recommendations
*Designate units based on management requirements, administrative units or political boundaries
Cosewic consists of 31 voting members, including,
-scientist, 4 federal agencies ( Canadian wildlife services, parks canada, Canadian museum of nature, department of fisheries and ocean)
-non gov. members ( 3 independent science members, a co-chair from the aboriginal trad. knowledge subcommittee, 10 species specialist) + chair ( elected from membership)
estimate extinction risk
probability that all populations of a particular species will go extinct in certain period of time
e.g. 20% probability of extinction in 20 yrs
IUCN benchmark extinction probabilities
10% in 100 years ( low risk - vulnerable)
20% in 20 years ( vulnerable - endangered)
50% in 10 years ( endangered - critically endangered)
COSEWIC Categories
10% in 100 years ( special concern - threatened)
20% in 20 years (threatened - endangered)
Criteria for designations
A. Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals
B. Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation
C. Small Total Population Size and Decline
D. Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution E. Quantitative Analysis
