synoptic 3 revision notes Flashcards
1 introduction
Wildlife rehabilitation = The managed process whereby a displaced, sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal regains the heath and skills it requires to function normally and live self-sufficiently in the wild.
wildlife ecology = the scientific discipline of applying ecological principles to the study of wildlife species and their habitats.
Wildlife conservation = Is the practice of protecting wild species and their habitats in order to prevent species from going extinct
2 species identification
Why do we use scientific names to help id animals = Scientific names were formed through LINNAEAN CLASSIFICATION.
= CARL LINNAEUS – a Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature the modern system naming organisms
= people from around the globe can id species no matter what language they speak
Binomial nomenclature = is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each name composed of two parts genus and species.
botanist = an expert in or student of the scientific study of plants.
Why is species id important in wildlife rehabilitation = To ensure that animals are given the correct care and diet
3 wildlife behavioural patterns
3 wildlife behavioural patterns
Crepuscular = active at dawn and dusk.
diurnal = active during the day
nocturnal = active the most and night and sleep during the day.
territorial = an animal or group protect its territories from invaders of other species or the same species.
migration = usually seasonal movement of all or part of animal population to and from a given area.
Migration = animals migrate for two reasons food resource and mating
4 wildlife habitat requirements
essential elements
food and water = are necessary for all wildlife to survive
cover = cover is not only needed as shelter from the elements and predators, but it is also necessary to protect animals while they are feeding, breeding, roosting, nesting, and traveling
roosting = settle or congregate for rest or sleep.
Space = Is necessary to avoid over- competition for food. Some animals also need a certain amount of territorial space for nesting and mating.
Arrangement = Refers to the placement of food water cover and space in a habitat. The ideal arrangement allows animals to meet all of their needs in a small area, so they minimize the energy they use.
5 population dynamics and breeding strategies
5 population dynamics and breeding strategies
These are the known levels of an organisation. = Individual
= Population
= Community
= Ecosystem
= Biome
= Biosphere
Demes (population) = A population is a group of individuals of the same species that inhabit a given area
= Animals disperse themselves within an area if the environment is patchy I.E., not all areas provide equally suitable habitat or individuals exhibit patterns of spacing in relation to one another
Clumped dispersal = Individuals live in areas of high local abundance which are separated by low areas of abundance.
= Individuals are attracted to stay close to each other usually die to a common resource/ patchy environment
= Seen in migrating animals – safety in numbers
= Also seen in plant species – compete for the same resources.
Uniform dispersal = Individuals are evenly spaced through the environment.
= May result from territoriality (nesting sea birds, wolf territories)
= Also result from competition for resources
Random dispersal = Individuals have an equal probability of occurring anywhere in an area.
= This type of dispersion is common in species in which there are no strong attractions or repulsions amongst individuals of a population.
= Rare in nature as the environments tends to impose some pattern of distribution.
Population growth = Populations are assessed to understand how and why they fluctuate. This can aid with population management and conservation.
What are the basic factors that influence population change = Growth – population increase
= Immigration – arrival of new individuals into a habitat or deme.
= Natality – birth
= Production of new animals in a deme
= Natality is influenced by age, health, environment, resources, and breeding strategy
= Decrease – population decrease
= Emigration – movement of part of a population permanently out of an area.
= Mortality – death
= Mortality is also influenced by age, health environment and resources.
Population Dynamics - Population growth can be influenced by = Natural Influences (abiotic + biotic)
= Biotic (living) E.g., predation, disease, competition
= Density dependant factors. The effect these factors have on the population varies with regards to population size.
= Abiotic (non-living) E.g., weather
= Density independent. These factors will still affect a population no matter the population size.
Human Influences = Habitat destruction
= Invasive Species
= Overfishing
= Hunting
= Pollution
= Global warming
Growth curves = graphical representation that shows the course of a phenomenon over time
= phenomenon - a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question
= populations do not all grow the same
= scientists use visual growth curves to understand population growth.
Exponential Growth (J curve) = Unlimited growth
= Occurs when there are no factors regulating growth.
= Populations rarely grow exponentially (More and more rapidly) to infinity numbers.
Logistic Growth (S curve) = Regulated growth
= Assumes that population growth is regulated according to resource availability (e.g., space, mates, food).
= Habitats can only sustain a certain number of a specific species; we call this the carrying capacity
Carrying capacity = is the largest possible number of individuals of a species that a habitat can support over a long period of time.
Population cycles = Some populations never reach nor exceed the carrying capacity.
= We call these population fluctuations, and they tend to be seen in predator prey relationship cycles.
Breeding Strategies – K = High density demes
= Population grows slowly.
= They often have few young and look after them
= Slow reproduction rate
= Low population growth
= Population size tends to stay close to carrying capacity
= Animals have poor dispersal so tend to stay in one place
= Found in stable habitats with lots of resources close by
= Animals tend to be large in body size
= Animals tend to have a long-life span
= Orang-utang – k
= African elephant – k
= Human – k
= Giant otter – k
= Blue whale- k
= Wandering albatross – k
Breeding Strategies – r = Low density demes
= Population grows more rapidly.
= Selection favours adaptations that promote rapid reproduction.
= They often have lots of young and don’t look after them
= Rapid reproduction rate
= High population growth
= Population size may exceed carrying capacity - then crash
= Animals have good dispersal so will move to new areas
= Found in unstable habitats – resources are not guaranteed
= Animals tend to be small in body size
= Animals tend to have a short life span
= Black bean aphid – r
= 7 spotted lady bird – r
= Cinnabar moth – r
= Streaked tenrec – r
= Rabbit – r
= Bank vole – r
6 – predator/ prey relationships
Predator- prey population dynamics
= Predators kill and eat prey
= Affects prey death rate
= Affects predator birth rate
= The continuous cycle of population increases, and decrease is called a boom and bust
Negative interactions = inferior prey animals are called these are typically old, week, diseased, malnourished, or young.
Positive interactions = partial population control due to mortality caused by predator.
biological control = Biologist have often used predator – prey relationships to control animal populations
7 predator prey interactions
7 predator prey interactions
Food web levels
Producer - grows, or supplies goods
Primary consumer - Primary consumers are usually herbivores that feed on autotrophic plants, which produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Secondary consumer - are organisms that eat primary consumers for energy
Tertiary consumer - an animal that obtains its nutrition by eating primary consumers and secondary consumers.
Hunting strategies
Ambush = Ambush hunting means lying in wait for prey to come along.
= Seen in frogs, crocodiles, lizards, and some insects.
= Success rating – low
= Energy expenditure – low cost
Stalking = Stalking is a deliberate form of hunting with quick attack
= Seen in heron, cats
= Searching can be a long-time high-energy cost
= Actual pursuit a short time low energy cost
Pursuit = Pursuit hunting is typically seen in animals that know the location of their prey
= Seen in hawk, lion, wolves
= Search time is minimal low energy expenditure
= Pursuit time is great high energy expenditure
Predator tactics
= Natural selection favours characteristics that enable a predator to locate obtain and consume prey
= This selective pressure has resulted in tactics and behaviours to increase hunting success
= Example – alligator, snapping turtles using their tongue as a lure.
Cryptic colouration – blending into the background/ braking up outlines
Deception – mimicking or luring in prey
Chemical poisons – chemicals poisons may be injected or sprayed
Forming groups – increase hunting success
Parasitism
= A tactic whereby a female will lay her eggs inside a host.
= Females may lay one or many eggs
= This is common in parasitoid wasps
= Once hatched the lava will keep the host alive whilst they gain nutrients from it – this is so the host can continue its normal feeding pattern thus feeding the parasites.
what happens when the larva is ready to pupate
the larvae may exit the host and pupate on the outside of the host or if only one eggs was laid in the host when the host pupates instead of a moth/ butterfly a wasp will emerge, or the larvae will simply eat the host from inside out
Prey defence
Chemical defence
= Some fish release alarm chemicals that induce flight reactions in members of the same species.
= The stinkbug discharges a volatile secretion from a pair of glands to discourage predation.
= Toxins can be made/stored by animals which are distasteful.
Cryptic colouration
= Includes colours and patterns that allow prey to blend into the background.
= Protective colouration
= Object resemblance
= Eye spots
= Flashing
Warning colouration
= Aposematism - denoting coloration or markings serving to warn or repel predators.
= Animals that employ chemicals often have warning colours.
= Predators must have an unpleasant experience with the prey before they learn to associate the colour pattern with unpalatability or pain.
Batesian mimicry
= The mimic (edible) resembles an inedible species (model).
= Usually seen when nontoxic species live in the same area as toxic species.
Müllerian mimicry
= The mimic (nontoxic) shares a similar colouration to a toxic species (model).
= These tend to be unrelated species.
= Example wasp, cinnabar moth caterpillar, honeybee
Protective armour
= Animals may have armoured coats, spines, shells for protection
Behavioural defences
= Example: fleeing, alarm calls, changing stance, living in groups etc
Predator satiation
= Where the majority of offspring are born in a short time period.
= Prey are so abundant that predators only take a fraction.
Coevolutionary Arms Race
= Predator and prey are locked in a coevolutionary arms race.
= Prey evolve another strategy to strategy to avoid being eaten
= Predators evolve another strategy to find and locate prey
8 Evolution and Speciation
8 Evolution and Speciation
Species
= A species is often defined as a group of individuals that actually or potentially interbreed in nature. In this sense, a species is the biggest gene pool possible under natural conditions.
= For example, these happy face spiders look different, but since they can interbreed, they are considered the same species: Theridion grallator
Speciation
= Speciation occurs as a population divides into two or more reproductively isolated populations
= What are the main causes of speciation:
= Geographical isolation (allopatric speciation)
= Reduction of gene flow (sympatric speciation)
Geographic Isolation – Allopatric
= Speciation can start as populations become prevented from interbreeding by time and space.
What type of barriers could prevent species coming into contact with one another?
= Rivers
= Mountains
= Canyons
= Unfavourable habitats
= Timings of breeding seasons
= Example - Hawaiian Fruit Flies
= There are at least 700 species of fruit fly on Hawaiian Islands.
= They have speciated as they have colonised new islands.
= Species differ in size, wing pattern and head shape
Reduction of gene flow – Sympatric
= Sympatric species live in the same area so have the opportunity to interbreed but do not.
= Example - Apple Maggot Flies
= 200 years ago, the ancestors of apple maggot flies laid their eggs only on hawthorns — but today, these flies lay eggs on hawthorns (which are native to America) and domestic apples (which were introduced to America by immigrants and bred).
= Females generally choose to lay their eggs on the type of fruit they grew up in, males tend to look for mates on the type of fruit they grew up in.
= This means that gene flow between parts of the population that mate on different types of fruit is reduced.
= In fewer than 200 years, some genetic differences between these two groups of flies have evolved
What is gene flow?
= The movement of genes between a population.
= Gene flow is essential for genetic variation and diversity.
= Higher genetic diversity means that there are more varied characteristics – some will be more suited to the environment than others.
Natural Selection
= Natural selection increases characteristics (genes) that are favourable to a population.
Types of evolution
The definition of evolution is a change in a population of a species over time. There are many different ways that evolution can happen in a population including both artificial selection and natural selection. The evolutionary path a species takes can also differ depending on the environment and other biological factors.
Divergent evolution - Two different species share a common ancestor, but they have different characteristics from one another
Example 1 – dog and wolves the wolf has evolved and changed appearance and characteristics to have become a new species we now call a dog.
Example 2: poler bare and a brown bare share common ancestor have evolved to be different examples include the colour a poler bare is white and a brown bare is brown. They have also adapted to survive in different climates the poler bare inhabits the artic and the brown bare inhabits woodland in Europe.
Example 3 Moth and a butterfly They share a common ancestor and share the ability to fly however they have evolved to be visually different Butterflies tend to fold their wings vertically up over their backs. Moths tend to hold their wings in a tent-like fashion that hides the abdomen. Butterflies are typically larger and have more colourful patterns on their wings. Moths are typically smaller with drab-coloured wings. They have also adapted to be behaviourally different with Butterflies being primarily diurnal, flying in the daytime. Moths are generally nocturnal, flying at night.
Example 4– zebra, horse and donkey were once all the same species but have evolved to have different appearance and characteristics to one another and become new species.
Example 5 - Two species that are very closely related and have undergone divergent evolution are the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) and the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus).
The kit fox is native to Western North America and is adapted to desert environments; it has sandy coloration, and large ears, which help it to remove excess body heat.
The Arctic fox is native to Arctic regions and lives in the Arctic tundra biome of the Northern Hemisphere. Best adapted to cold climates, it has thick fur, which is white in the winter and brown in the summer, and a small, round body shape that minimizes heat loss.
Having diverged from a recent common ancestor, both these species have had to adapt to their extremely different habitats.
Convergent evolution - Two different species do not share a common ancestor but have developed similar characteristics through adaptation to similar environmental conditions.
Example 1 Hedgehogs and echidnas both have a protective coat of spikes, both mammals, both species curl up into a ball to defend against predators, and both hibernate,
Example 2 Hyenas and dogs
Example 3 Tapirs and pigs
Example 4: bird and a moth they do not share a common ancestor but have developed to be similar and as they can both fly, both have wings, and both live in trees.
Example 5: bats and birds do not share a common ancestor but have developed to be similar some examples include They both eat fruit, nectar, and insects, they both have streamlined bodies, which makes it easier for them to fly Both have wings to fly. They’re both around the same size and They both live in trees.
Parallel evolution - Once had a common ancestor and had similar traits but have now evolved different traits independently of each other.
Example 1 ground hog and wombat,
Example 2 Wolf and Tasmanian wolf
Example 3 flying squirrel and flying phalanger.
Driving Forces for Evolution
= Each species occupies a niche in the community.
= A niche is the role the species plays, and includes the type of food it eats, where it lives, where it reproduces, and its relationships with other species.
= When we look at evolution and speciation, individuals tend to speciate to exploit new and vacant niches
Ecological Niche – example
Different species of warbler bird have a different niche in its spruce tree habitat. By feeding in different areas of the tree, the birds avoid competing with one another for food.
9 - How evolution affects ecosystems over time
9 - How evolution affects ecosystems over time
Darwin’s Finches – Divergent Evolution
= Darwin’s finches (also known as the Galápagos finches) are a group of about 15 species of passerine birds.
= They are well known for their remarkable diversity in beak form and function.
= This is known as natural selection, but also a form of divergent evolution.
Evolution affects within ecosystems
= Increased/decreased pressure from competition or predation can result in speciation
= Increased/decreased reproduction e.g., explosion/decline in species numbers
= Increase/decrease in food source/habitat can cause fluctuations of species
= Introduction of a new species into ecosystem can provide food for higher order species
= Greater adaptation to change in food source/habitat/environment, e.g., beaks of Darwin’s finches
10 Wildlife Management Plans
10 Wildlife Management Plans
What is a management plan = a comprehensive plan that clearly specifics the intended objectives of the proposed project witch in this case are the aim to maintain wildlife populations and the habits that they inhabit. – maintaining wildlife species populations and the habitat. An example would be maintaining the habitat that red squirrels inhabit to preserve and maintain the species populations.
Why is habitat management important = Habitat management is crucial to maintaining the quality, and preserving the habitat and the animal populations that inhabit it -
What is habitat management = Habitat management is commonly used to maintain and enhance the biological interest of many areas of semi natural habitat where natural processes no longer create suitable conditions for desired species – improving the quality of habitats and preserving the species is there.
What is the two main components to consider when thinking about carrying capacity in a wildlife management plan?
= There are several factors to remember when considering carrying capacity.
= Carrying capacity changes with the seasons.
= Summer carrying capacity is usually higher than winter carrying capacity. Manage for extremes when considering carrying capacity.
= Habitat will have a higher carrying capacity in a mild winter than during a severe one.
= Exceeding carrying capacity will have a compounding effect on the habitat. For example, if too many animals are present on a parcel of land, they will over-browse and kill shrubs. As a result, that same range will support fewer animals than it could have supported before over-browsing.
= One species can affect the carrying capacity of another species. Heavy use of an area by elk may increase the browse line to a height deer cannot reach.
= Carrying capacity may change from year to year. For example, snow depth, drought, cover and food can affect the land’s carrying capacity. In general, try to manage for “optimum” carrying capacity, which means trying to find a population level that can be maintained in good condition on a sustained basis
Management Plans
= Management plans are used in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation to monitor populations of species for increases or decreases.
= They can be used for endangered or declining species, species which are becoming overpopulated or to monitor non-native species.
= They are carried out by surveying the population and creating actions to keep the population stable or aid an increase or decrease in the population.
Considerations when managing populations or habitats
= Before completing a management plan of any kind, you need to survey what is already on the land you are hoping to manage (animal and plant species.
= You then get to ensure you have the required equipment, permissions from landowners and a solid methodology.
= After setting up and completing the management plan it is vital that the results are monitored and analysed.
Managing populations or habitats
•Planning and preparation
•Resources
•Landowner
•What needs to be achieved
11 Wildlife Management Plans – part 2
11 Wildlife Management Plans – part 2
Considerations when managing populations or habitats
Before completing a management plan of any kind, you need to survey what is already on the land you are hoping to manage (animal and plant species.
You then get to ensure you have the required equipment, permissions from landowners and a solid methodology.
After setting up and completing the management plan it is vital that the results are monitored and analysed.
Scottish wildcat introduction
How did the research team survey the wildcats before beginning the survey?
Using local landowners to set up cameras to locate the wild cat. Putting cameras near water, using food to attract wild cat to the cameras.
What issues did the team face throughout?
Ferrell and domestic cats breeding with wildcats – hybridisation- cross breeding between wild and domestic animals
Public opinion- lack of public support
Other animals eating the bait put out for wildcats.
Spread of diseases
Food availability
How do they combat these issues? Do you agree with the methods used?
Mass Neutering of all male cats in the area.
Legislation in relation to neutering.
Why do wildcats need to be saved?
There are only around 50 left in the wild.
There are limited numbers of pure breeding between the wild cats.
Critically endangered
Ecosystem imbalance – overpopulation of prey species
What are the possible issues with using zoo conservation for wild cat conservation?
Doesn’t help conserve and preserve the eco system
Damages the chances of the population growing in the wild by taking the wild once’s into captivity.
Are the breeding chances better in the wild or in captivity.
What are the problems faced when re-introducing the Lynx?
Sheep and farm animals being killed.
Human interaction
What considerations would need to be applied to this study in order to set up a management plan?
Effect on domestic and farmed animals.
Space, food, water and shelter available for the animals.
Management plan – Read the management plan example - Answer the following questions
What is the aim of the management plan?
= To inform all parties involved of a clear plan of population control
Why is the management plan put in place?
= To fix the imbalance of a species in an area of inform all people involved of the clear plan in place.
What are the key aspects of a management plant?
= Plan
= Audit
= Setting objectives
= Setting targets
= Select methods
= Actions
= Monitoring
= Review.
12 Key terms and biomes
12 Key terms and biomes
Drought - a long period with low rainfall resulting in a shortage of water
Famine – Extreme shortage of food
Ecological niche –describes how a species interacts within an ecosystem (its role and position within the environment)
Metapopulations - A metapopulation consists of a group of spatially separated populations of the same species which interact at some level.
Seasonality – seasonal variations (change), perhaps in climate/weather or species behaviours
Variations - a change or slight difference in condition, amount, or level, typically within certain limits.
Dispersal- the action or process of distributing or spreading things or animals over a wide area.
Fecundity- the ability to produce an abundance (large amount) of offspring or new growth, fertility.
Abundance - very large quantity of something.
Natality- birth rate
Mortality- death rate
Growth- the process of increasing in size
Biomes
= biomes a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.
= Biomes refer to a large open region or area characterised by the following:
= A particular pattern of the annual temperature and precipitation distribution
= The dominant fauna (animals) and flora (plants)
= In describing a biome, the focus is on its plant life, animal life, and climate region.
Major biomes of the world
= Tropical Rainforest
= Savannah
= Desert
= Chaparral
= Grassland
= Temperate Deciduous Forest
= Temperate Boreal Forest
= Arctic & Alpine Tundra
= Lake
= River
= Intertidal zones
= Estuaries
= Open ocean
= Coral reef
= Wetland
= Mangrove
Factors affecting animal populations
= Climate change
= Deforestation
= Habitat loss
= Lack of food resource
= Prey predator relationships
= Disease
= Dispersal
= Natality (birth)
= Mortality (death)
= Competition
= Hunting / poaching
= Flooding
= Pollution
= Global warming
= Natural disasters
13 Changes in the global system
13 Changes in the global system Changes in ecosystems Wind natural positive and negative Rain natural positive and negative wildfire natural positive and negative Earthquake natural positive and negative Habitat loss human negative Climate change natural and human negative Deforestation human negative Lack of food resource human and natural negative Prey predator relationships natural positive and negative Disease natural - negative human – positive for population control Dispersal/ migration • natural and human • positive and negative Natality (birth) • natural • positive and negative Mortality (death) natural positive and negative Competition natural positive and negative Hunting / poaching 1. human 2. negative Flooding natural negative Pollution 1. human 2. negative Global warming = natural and human = negative Conservation 1.human 2.positive chemical pollution = human = negative What causes changes in ecosystems? • Natural changes can affect an ecosystem. Wind, rain, predation, and earthquakes are all examples of natural processes which impact an ecosystem. • There are two types of natural ecological change. These are known as primary and secondary succession Human induced changes to ecosystems • Humans also affect ecosystems by reducing habitat, over-hunting, spreading pesticides or fertilizers, and other influences. • Watch the video below and name a range of ways in which humans have negatively caused ecosystem change: • Pollution – air – water - • The destruction, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat. • Exploitation of species – harvesting for profit – agriculture and fishing • Introduction of alien (non-native) species • Climate change Natural Changes to Ecosystems – Ecological Succession Answer the following questions whilst watching the video: • Is a process by which an ecological community undergrows change following a disturbance or the initial colonisation of a new habitat for example the islands of Hawaii were formed from a volcanic activity from their fiery start over time they become tropical islands there are two main types of succession primary and secondary • Primary succession- occurs in new areas that have little or no soil in other words the area has been almost completely destroyed or as newly formed for example new islands can be created from lava flows the creates a new land without soil a volcano may destroy a very large area this would be an example of primary succession over time dirt is formed plants begin to grow in a forest or a grassland may return the first species that colonize this new land is called the pioneer species. Lichen and moss are many times pioneer species. • Secondary succession- occurs when an existing ecosystem has been destroyed or disturbed, they are more minor in magnitude compared to a primary succession for example a forest fire may destroy a large area of trees and plants, or flooding can destroy an area. The fire destroys plants, but soil remains, and the forest grows back. These disturbances can actually be healthy for an area over time because they can lead to increased biodiversity • Give an example of primary succession • Occurs in new areas with little to new soil • Volcano may create a new island
- Give an example of secondary succession
- When an existing ecosystem has been destroyed
- Fire may destroy an area with lots of plants and trees and soil re grows the same plants and trees.
• Why can secondary succession be a good thing?
• Can lead to more desirable plant growth
Increase biodiversity and healthy ecosystem
14 In- situ and ex- situ conservation
14 In- situ and ex- situ conservation Conservation methods • Planting trees and plants to improve forest –habitat restoration • Repopulations of species in an area • Captive breeding • Research • Protective areas – preventing hunting and poaching on land • Protective species - preventing hunting and poaching on species • Education • Sanctuaries • Re wildling • Rehabilitation • Species reintroduction • Fundraising What is in-situ conservation • Onsite conservation in the location – natural habitat Examples • Planting trees and plants to improve forest –habitat restoration • Repopulations of species in an area • Protective areas – preventing hunting and poaching on land • Protective species - preventing hunting and poaching on species • Sanctuaries • Re wildling • Rehabilitation centres • Species reintroduction • Education research • species ecology • population dynamics • reintroduction success habitat management • creating new habitats • maintaining/ restoring habitats • reducing vulnerability of isolated habitats legislation • wildlife action planning • conservation strategies what is ex-situ conservation • Off site conservation taking place somewhere else – non natural habitat Examples • Captive breeding • Research • Education • Fundraising • sanctuaries • rehabilitation centres captive breeding studbook management preparing animals for reintroduction zoo legislation must engage in captive breeding must engage in education and fundraising included in both methods education and raising awareness fundraising
16 national conservation strategies
16 national conservation strategies
Biodiversity– range of species in a habitat.
Uk biodiversity action plan
The uk BAP was published in 1994
It was the government’s response to the convention of biological diversity held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992
The uk was the first country to produce national biodiversity action plan
Action plans for the most threatened species and habitats were set out to aid recovery
There are 1150 species included on the uk BAP priority species list.
Uk BAP is priority species were those that were identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action under the uk biodiversity action plan.
All species have a species account
The uk countries in which the species occurs
Whether or not the species has restricted distribution
Why the species qualifies as a uk Bap priority species
The evidence under pointing the qualification of each species
The actions required for each species as identified b species experts
Species listed as uk BAP priority species
Herring gull
European hedgehog
Baskin shark
Grate crested newt
Cuckoo
Skylark
Water vole
Pine martin
Pole cat
Brown long eared bat
Red squirrel
Scottish wild cat
A sub species of wildcat that inhibited the British isle 9000 years ago
Since then, it has been prosecuted by farmers, catching disease
In response to decrease in numbers the Scottish wildcat action group was formed in 2013
This will assist in breeding programmes and created protected sites for conservation
Both the feral cat and wild cat inhabit different niches
The more diluted the genetic diversity the more susceptible wild cats will become for the Ferrell cat
