TEST THREEBiodiversityRates of Biodiversity Loss- Global biodiversity Outlook (UN Environmental Program 2010)o 2002 goal not meto Amphibians and coral species are in the greatest dangero 25% of plant species are threatened with extinctionReasons for Biodiversity Loss- Invasive Species- Climate Change- Overexploitation- Habitat Change- PollutionWhy Protect Biodiversity?- Food- Medicine- Cosmetics- Pollination of crops- Filtration of pollutant- Protection from natural disasters (mitigation of floods and  droughts)- Spiritual and religious values - Opportunities for knowledge and education- Recreational and aesthetic values- Unknown Potential - Intrinsic Value - Genetic heritage of millions of years of evolutionEndangered Species Act- 1973- One of the strongest environmental laws ever passes- National commitment to protection of species- A sources of attack from property rights advocates and holders of resource entitlements- Findings: species have become extinct as a result of economic growth and development untendered by reasonable concern and conservation- Purpose: To provide a mean whereby ecosystems up which endangered species and threatened may be preserved.- Different categories (endangered, threatened)o Applies to fish, wildlife, plantso Based on best data, not concerned about economic impact- Critical Habitat for Specieso On the basis of scientific data and taking into account the economic impact, impact on national security, and all other relevant impacts- TVA vs. Hillo Stopped the completion of Tellico Dam because it was kill the snail darter population ESA is clean that we must protect specimens “whatever the coast”o Eventually was completed in 1980 as a result of an Appropriation Rider that overridden the ESA protections)The God Squad (Endangered Species Committee)- Amendment to the ESA, allows for the committee to exempt federal projects from the “consultation” requirement- May be granted if: o There are no reasonable and prudent alternatives to the federal actionso There action is in the publics interesto The benefits of the actions outweigh the benefits of the alternatives that would not jeopardize the species- Has only been used 4 timesThe ESA and Federal Agencies- Required to consult with FWS or NMFS- Cant develop a plan to mitigate the impactsThe ESA and Private Parties- Prohibits the taking, selling, importing, or exporting of any protected species- 80% of species live on private land- “Take” means to harass, harm, pursuer, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, and “significant habitat modification”Case Study: the Polar Bear- Listed ad threatened in 2008 due to climate change- Critical habitat designated in 2010o Lawsuits by oil and gas industries are challenging the designationConvention on Biological Diversity (CBD)- Began at the Rio Summit- 2010: 193 partieso US signed but didn’t ratify it- Three levels:o Ecosystem Diversityo Species Diversityo Genetic Diversity- Main objectives:o Conservation of biodiversityo Sustainable use of its componentso Fair and Equitable sharing of benefits from utization of genetic resource- Main provisions:o Creating or maintain system of protected areao Restore degraded ecosystem and threaten specieso Eradicate non0native specieso Respect, preserve and maintain tradition knowledge- Developing Countries and CDBo Provides finical resourceso Transfer of relevant technologieso Global Environment Facility- Problems with Access and Benefits from Genetic Resources (General)o Biosprospecting: developing pharmaceuticals from wild plantso Biopiarcy: stealing traditional knowledge about biodiversity or using biodiversity without consent of compensationo Questions about intellectual property rights- Problems with Access and Benefits from Genetic Resources (CBD)o Each country has the right to control access to its biological resources Mutually agree upon terms of benefits sharing- Merck paid Costa Rica $2 million and royalties- Strengthso Near universal membershipo International financial supporto Comprehensive and science-driven- Weaknesso Too general in placeso Trying to accomplish too mucho Is it effective? 2010 targets have not been metBiotechnology- Use of living organisms of biological systems in the manufacturing of drugs or other products- Concerns: threats to biodiversity, human health- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafetyo Addressed the transfer, handling, and use of Genetically Modified organisms (GMO’s)Nagoya Protocol- Access and benefits sharing from utilization of genetic resourceso More legal and more transparencyConvention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)- International trade in species is a huge industry and significant threat to wildlife- 1975, the US had ratified it- Covers 5000 animals and 28000 plants- Provides framework only- 3 appendiceso I: threatened with extinctiono II: trade needs to controlledo III: request from a country to help with species protection- Strengths:o Ones of the most successful wildlife conservation treatieso Clear rules and effective - Weaknesses:o Focuses on species levelo Doesn’t address ecosystems degradation as threato Negative lists implies trade is okayo Enforcement is expensive especially for developing countriesCONFLICT AND COOPERSTION IN NATURAL RESUOURC MANAGEMENTHistory of Natural Resource Management- Pre 1960’so National Parks and monuments createdo Growth of policies governing mining, logging, grazing, agricultureo Encourages western settlement so 1 billion acres of federal land was set aside- Post 1960’so Environmental Movement lead to resource entitlements and policies begin to be challengeso ESA and NEPA passedo Conflict emerges between Utilitarianism and Ecology/ Aesthetic Values- Conflicto Economic Development: Historic resources entitlements Utilitarism State and local control Private property rightso Environmental Stewardship Protection and preservation Aesthetic and Moral values Federal control and regulationo Elements of Conflicts: Scientific Uncertainty Clash of Ethics and Values Laws- CASE study: Klamath Basino Salmon and other fish species Economic benefit from recreation and commercial fishing Cultural benefits for Native American tribeso Listed as threatened and endangered due to: harvesting, lack of clean cold water, dams, and degraded riparian habitato ESA and the US Bureau of Reclamation found that it was going to cause “jeopardy” to the fish so they had to cut water delivers to farmer to