Threatened and Threatened and Endangered, and Extinct Endangered, and Extinct

SpeciesSpecies

BiodiversityBiodiversity

Extinction – the process by which an organism Extinction – the process by which an organism is no longer in existence as a speciesis no longer in existence as a species

Extinct organismsExtinct organisms DinosaurDinosaur Woolly MammothWoolly Mammoth Saber toothSaber tooth Dodo birdDodo bird Passenger pigeonPassenger pigeon

Causes of ExtinctionCauses of Extinction

Ice AgeIce Age MeteorsMeteors PredatorsPredators PoachingPoaching HuntingHunting Habitat LossHabitat Loss

Why are organisms so important?Why are organisms so important?

Food ChainFood Chain FoodFood MedicineMedicine ProtectionProtection

BiodiversityBiodiversity

The different types of The different types of life (streams, wetlands)life (streams, wetlands)

Diagram of PA Diagram of PA BiodiversityBiodiversity

Vertebrates3%

Protist3%

Non-insect invertebrates

7%

Insects46%

Plants, Algae24%

Fungi, Lichens17%

Biodiversity is studied on three levelsBiodiversity is studied on three levels

Genetic – biodiversity is the difference Genetic – biodiversity is the difference between genes of a particular speciesbetween genes of a particular species

Species – grey squirrel vs. Delmarva Fox Species – grey squirrel vs. Delmarva Fox squirrelsquirrel

Ecosystem – biodiversity – stream vs. wetlandEcosystem – biodiversity – stream vs. wetland

VariationsVariations

Differences in the phenotype of a speciesDifferences in the phenotype of a species AppearanceAppearance

HeightHeight WidthWidth WeightWeight

Allow for adaptation to new environmentsAllow for adaptation to new environments

Organism NichesOrganism Niches

Role an organism plays; two organisms cannot Role an organism plays; two organisms cannot occupy the same nicheoccupy the same niche

Predator-Prey RelationshipsPredator-Prey Relationships

Mice vs. WeaselMice vs. Weasel

PredatorsPredators

Clean up the weak or sickClean up the weak or sick Help out to remove the weak organismsHelp out to remove the weak organisms

SymbiosisSymbiosis

Two organisms rely on each other for survivalTwo organisms rely on each other for survival

ParasitismParasitism

One organism benefits while the other is One organism benefits while the other is harmedharmed Human and tapewormHuman and tapeworm

MutualismMutualism

Both organisms benefitBoth organisms benefit Rhino and birdsRhino and birds

CommensalismCommensalism

One organism benefits, other is unharmedOne organism benefits, other is unharmed Birds nest and treeBirds nest and tree

AdaptationsAdaptations

Adaptation – special modifications or Adaptation – special modifications or characteristics that help an organism better characteristics that help an organism better survive its environmentsurvive its environment

Structural AdaptationStructural Adaptation

Body parts, internal/external, thumbs, tails, Body parts, internal/external, thumbs, tails, claws, color, fur, beakclaws, color, fur, beak Mimicry – another organism acts like the first Mimicry – another organism acts like the first

(structural or behavioral)(structural or behavioral) Camouflage – blend in with your environmentCamouflage – blend in with your environment

Behavioral AdaptationBehavioral Adaptation

How an organism actsHow an organism acts Cat birdCat bird Lions carrying youngLions carrying young

Reflexive behavior – caught by surpriseReflexive behavior – caught by surprise CatCat Snake recoilsSnake recoils

Instinctive behavior – you don’t have to be taughtInstinctive behavior – you don’t have to be taught Mother, babyMother, baby

Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest

Natural Selection – the process that makes it Natural Selection – the process that makes it more likely that organisms with the best more likely that organisms with the best characteristics will survive, breed, and pass characteristics will survive, breed, and pass them onthem on

Populations evolve so that the most Populations evolve so that the most advantageous adaptations become commonadvantageous adaptations become common

EvolutionEvolution

Traits must varyTraits must vary Adaptations must be geneticAdaptations must be genetic Adaptation must be beneficial for survivalAdaptation must be beneficial for survival

Human impactsHuman impacts

Negative – destroy landsNegative – destroy lands PositivePositive

Endangered – population increasesEndangered – population increases Capture breeding – zoosCapture breeding – zoos Treat injured organismsTreat injured organisms

Threatened, Endangered, ExtinctThreatened, Endangered, Extinct

Threatened – many individuals but numbers Threatened – many individuals but numbers are dwindlingare dwindling

Endangered – so few that extinction is possibleEndangered – so few that extinction is possible Extinct – no longer existsExtinct – no longer exists

Factors that make species more Factors that make species more prone to extinctionprone to extinction

Special foodSpecial food Special habitatSpecial habitat High on food webHigh on food web MigrateMigrate Reproduction rate low – 1 birth a yearReproduction rate low – 1 birth a year Limited habitat rangeLimited habitat range Interference with humansInterference with humans

Organizations that protect speciesOrganizations that protect species

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act You cannot hunt, kill, trap endangered speciesYou cannot hunt, kill, trap endangered species

DCNRDCNR Department of Conservation of Natural ResourcesDepartment of Conservation of Natural Resources