Endangered and Threatened Species !of the Great Lakes Region!1. The value of Biodiversity!2. The Endangered Species Act!3. Endangered Wisconsin flora!4. How do species become endangered?!5. What can or should be done?!§ The term “BioDiversity” was born during the National Forum on BioDiversity, held in Washington D.C. in September 1986. !§ By the summer of 1992, biodiversity had moved to center stage as one of the central issues of scientific and political concern world-wide.!§ Biodiversity is defined as all hereditarily based variation at all levels of organization, from the genes within a single local population or species, to the species composing all or part of a local community, and finally to the communities themselves that compose the living parts of the ecosystems of the world.!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!Congress answered these questions in the preamble to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, recognizing that endangered and threatened species of wildlife and plants “are of aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its people.”!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!§ This kind of argumentation for the value of biodiversity, although necessary, fundamentally breaks down to economics. !!§ Two issues with this approach: !View 1: The answer we give to this is often anthropocentric – we ask “What has biological diversity done for me lately?” — economic value!1. We have to acknowledge that we will never be able to demonstrate an immediate, utilitarian reason for preserving every species on Earth. But who will tell us which species are unimportant? !Lake Huron Tansy!Endangered in Wisconsin!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!2. If you want to protect a critical area of shoreline or a nearly old growth forest, be prepared to talk about the economic value of lakefront property, income from logging, and cost-benefit analysis.!Lake Michigan beach scene with Lake Huron Tansy!View 1: The answer we give to this is often anthropocentric – we ask “What has biological diversity done for me lately?” — economic value!§ This kind of argumentation for the value of biodiversity, although necessary, fundamentally breaks down to economics. !!§ Two issues with this approach: !What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!§ One of the key tasks facing both scientists and governments is to identify and protect the species whose ecological functions are especially important to their ecosystems or to human societies - keystone species.!Pinus banksiana - jack pine [keystone species]!Kirtland’s Warbler!View 2: Ecological value!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!§ However, it is not clear if there have been significant repercussions in the eastern North American forests with the near extinction of one of its most dominant trees almost 100 years ago - the American Chestnut.!Castanea dentata!American chestnut!View 2: Ecological value!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!Castanea dentata!American chestnut!View 2: Ecological value!§ We know little about ecological impacts of the removal of even dominant species.!!“In the meantime, prudence dictates giving existing organisms as much benefit of the doubt as possible” [Erik Eckholm]!§ Isolated phylogenetic lineages or clades are inherently worthy of protection – they have more value!Lobelia !Hawaiian Islands!Lobelia gloria-montis!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!View 3: Evolutionary value!!§ Biodiversity hotspots to be protected should be assessed not only on species diversity!New Caledonia!§ The Hawaiian lobelioids are closely interconnected with their Honeycreeper pollinators – coevolution. !!§ Extinction of Honeycreeper species profoundly impact on the livelihood of these plants.!Lobelia gloria-montis!Scarlet i’iwi!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!View 3: Evolutionary value!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!View 4: Species have intrinsic value – ethical role!§ “It is inconceivable to me that an ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land, and a high regard for its value. By value, I of course mean something far broader than mere economic value; I mean value in the philosophical sense.” Aldo Leopold, 1949!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!View 4: Species have intrinsic value – ethical role!§ “It is inconceivable to me that an ethical relation to land can exist without love, respect, and admiration for land, and a high regard for its value. By value, I of course mean something far broader than mere economic value; I mean value in the philosophical sense.” Aldo Leopold, 1949!§ The Judeo-Christian Stewardship Environmental Ethic argues we are accountable to God for conserving biodiversity: !!“Diversity is God’s property, and we, who bear the relationship to it of strangers and sojourners, have no right to destroy it.” D.W. Ehrenfeld, 1988!§ human health considerations!§ value to humans of preserving wild nature and a diverse and varied landscape!§ moral consideration of non-human species!'Schweitzerian ethic that embraces decent consideration for all living creatures—a true reverence for life’!Silent Spring (1962) dedicated to Albert Schweitzer!What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet?!View 4: Species have intrinsic value – ethical role!§ The Endangered Species Act, Public Law 93-205, became effective on December 28, 1973, and is the most far-reaching wildlife statute ever adopted by any nation!1. The value of Biodiversity!2. The Endangered Species Act!3. Endangered Wisconsin flora!4. How do species become endangered?!5. What can or should be done?!§ The stated purpose of the ESA is to “provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved, and to provide a program for the conservation of such endangered species and threatened species”.!Endangered Species Act!§ The ESA is literally “The Statutory Ark”!Endangered Species Act!Kirtland’s warbler![Federally endangered]!§ A