All Flashcards
What is the main purpose of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.
What does the Lacey Act (US) regulate?
Prohibits interstate transport of illegally harvested plants and animals.
What is the goal of CITES?
International agreement to control trade in endangered species.
What are the key provisions of the ESA?
Listing species as 'endangered' or 'threatened,' designating 'critical habitat,' prohibiting harming listed species and trade, and authorizing habitat purchases and recovery plans.
How does the ESA impact land use?
It can restrict development and other activities in areas designated as critical habitat for listed species.
What is the role of recovery plans under the ESA?
To outline specific actions needed to help a listed species recover and eventually be removed from the endangered or threatened list.
What is the purpose of designating 'critical habitat' under the ESA?
To identify and protect the specific areas essential for the conservation of a listed species.
What is the 'take' provision under the ESA?
Prohibits harming, harassing, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting listed species.
What international agreements complement CITES in protecting endangered species?
Agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
How does the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) protect marine species?
Prohibits the take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and regulates the import of marine mammals and marine mammal products.
What are the effects of habitat loss on species?
Reduced population size, increased extinction risk, and loss of biodiversity.
What is the effect of overharvesting fish populations?
Decline in fish stocks, disruption of marine ecosystems, and economic losses for fisheries.
How does illegal wildlife trade impact species?
Drives population declines, disrupts ecosystems, and threatens biodiversity.
What is the impact of deforestation on orangutans?
Habitat loss, reduced food availability, and increased vulnerability to hunting.
How does climate change affect endangered species?
Alters habitats, disrupts migration patterns, and increases the risk of extinction.
What are the consequences of poaching?
Rapid population declines, potential extinction, and disruption of ecosystems.
What is the effect of habitat fragmentation?
Reduced gene flow, increased vulnerability to edge effects, and higher extinction rates.
How does pollution affect aquatic species?
Contaminates food sources, disrupts reproduction, and causes disease, leading to population declines.
What are the impacts of invasive species?
Competition with native species, habitat alteration, and disease transmission, leading to native species decline.
What is the effect of human population growth on endangered species?
Increased habitat destruction, resource depletion, and pollution, leading to greater extinction risks.
What are the environmental consequences of overharvesting?
Population decline, ecosystem imbalance, and potential extinction of harvested species.
How does habitat loss affect specialist species?
It reduces their ability to find suitable food and shelter, leading to population decline and potential extinction.
What is the impact of illegal wildlife trade on endangered species?
It drives poaching, reduces population sizes, and disrupts ecosystems.
How does climate change affect species vulnerability?
It alters habitats, disrupts migration patterns, and increases the risk of extreme weather events, making species more vulnerable to extinction.
What are the effects of invasive species on native biodiversity?
Competition for resources, predation, and disease transmission, leading to decline or extinction of native species.
How does pollution impact aquatic ecosystems and species?
It contaminates water sources, harms aquatic organisms, and disrupts food chains, leading to population declines and ecosystem degradation.
What is the relationship between deforestation and species extinction?
Deforestation leads to habitat loss, fragmentation, and increased edge effects, resulting in species extinction.
How does urbanization contribute to habitat loss?
Urban development converts natural habitats into built environments, reducing available space for wildlife and disrupting ecological processes.
What are the consequences of reduced genetic diversity in a population?
Increased susceptibility to diseases, reduced ability to adapt to environmental changes, and higher risk of extinction.
How does the use of pesticides affect non-target species?
Pesticides can kill beneficial insects, harm wildlife through direct exposure or bioaccumulation, and disrupt ecosystem functions.