Conservation Biology and Legislation A Little History U.S. Lacey Act of 1900: prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold. 1 st federal law protecting wildlife Research an org. to find best way to protect the species and its surrounding habitat. Conservation Biology In-Situ Conservation In the field conservation Done by protecting them in their habitat. Ex-Situ Conservation Out of the field when few individs left Conserving/ helping the population repopulate in a lab, zoo, aquarium. Bald Eagle Conservation 1963= 417 nesting pairs Loss of habitat, hunted, DDT Ex-Situ rehab. Aug 8, 07: off End Species List! Seed Banks Ex-Situ: Saves plants from destruction Cryogenically frozen for future Stored in duplicate locations Botanical Gardens Ex-Situ: Breed plants and educate Asexual reproductive techniques Aquariums: Ex-Situ Growing own corals Rehab of injured animals Raising public awareness Zoos: Ex-Situ Artificial Insemination Embryo Transfer Education Audubon Society: Birds American Cetacean Society: Marine mammals National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Tree People National Conservation Orgs International Conservation Orgs World Conservation Union (IUCN) World Wildlife Fund Nature Conservancy: Buys land, establishes reserves 1973 -illegal to import or trade products of E.S. unless used explicitly for science USFWS responsible Species on list cannot be taken, threatened, killed, harmed: habitat cant be harmed Decision must be made on biological basis only No development that causes harm Must develop a recovery plan 1350 species listed (4000 candidates) Problems w/ ESA Encourages people to destroy land before listing No focus on ecosystem Is inflexible Is political Focus on charismatic megafauna Only 8 species de listed International Laws CITES - Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species Created by IUCN: World Con. Union signed by 169 countries prohibits trade of live specimens or products of 900 species on list CITES Does not use Endangered or Threatened. Uses appendices: Appendix 1 listed means endangered. Appendix 2 listed means threatened. An org. can be on both CITES and US ESA! Squirrel Monkey: App II Ring-Tailed Lemur: App I IUCNs Red List World Conservation Union list. Assess conservation status of global species. Use Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. Common Hippo: Vulnerable Angel Shark: Crit. Endang. International Whaling Commission Regulates whaling Bans on gill-netting, purse seines Japan/Finland no sign! How to Save End. Species Establish parks, preserves and wilderness areas that are not fragmented! Enforce legislation such as US ESA and CITES. Support $$ env. organizations. How to Save End. Species Control human population and consumption! How to Save End. Species Restore damaged habitats Reforest Regulate private land use. How to Save End. Species