Species At Risk & Invasive Species

Question 1

What are the six characteristic attributes of vulnerable species?

Answer 1

1. Longevity - longer lifespans = delayed maturity
2. Low reproductive rates
3. Species that are poor dispersers / colonizers
4. Colonial breeding habits
5. Other seasonal concentrations
6. Degree of specialization

Question 2

What is the role of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in species conservation? Species At Risk Act? How does SARA promote and adhere to IUCN?

Answer 2

IUCN - Global organization responsible for the identification of species at risk globally.

SARA - Canadian act that works to
1. prevent wildlife species from disappearing
2. manage species of special concern to the country
3. provide recovery for wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity.

SARA aligns with criteria, principles, conservation planning and collaborative approached used by the IUCN.

Question 3

What were the 5 elements of the recovery strategy (RENEW) used for the woodland caribou in northern MB?

Answer 3

1. Habitat Protection and Management
2. Population Monitoring
3. Predator Control
4. Community Engagement
5. Research and Adaptive management

Question 4

How did the elements of RENEW used for woodland caribou influence parks and protected areas as well as forestry in the province?

Answer 4

1. Parks & Protected Areas - identification or expansion of protected areas to conserve critical habitat
2. Forestry Practices - promoting sustainable forest management

Question 5

What features make the woodland caribou vulnerable to extinction? What is the status of these caribou as a consequence?

Answer 5

1. Small Population
2. Predation
3. Uncontrolled Hunting
4. Spread of Diseases
5. Habitat Fragmentation
6. Low Reproductive Rate

Because of these factors, the woodland caribou have a status of “threatened”, meaning they are likely to become extinct if nothing is done.

Question 6

What five classification categories exist to describe the status of a species? How are they defined?

Answer 6

1. Extinct (X) - A wildlife species that no longer exists.
2. Extirpated (XT) - A wildlife species that no longer exists in Canada.
3. Endangered (E) - A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
4. Threatened (T) - A wildlife species likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its destruction or extinction.
5. Special Concern (SC) - A wildlife species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Question 7

What is an invasive species? What are its features?

Answer 7

A non-native species that has been introduced to a new environment typically by human activities.

Features of Invasive Species
1. Non native origin
2. Rapid reproduction and spread
3. Lack of natural predators
4. Adaptability
5. Altered ecosystem dynamics

Question 8

How would you describe the invasive species affects on biodiversity? Ecosystem structure and function? Sustainability?

Answer 8

Biodiversity
1. competition
2. exclusion
3. predation
4. genetic pollution

Ecosystem Structure & Function
1. habitat modification
2. changes in nutrient cycling
3. disruption of traffic interactions

Sustainability
1. desertification
2. makes communities and natural habitats more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.