Science 10

Sustainability of Ecosystems - Biodiversity

Science 10 Sustainability of Ecosystems

Endangered Species

Many plants and animals that presently exist are becoming less and less plentiful. These organisms are on the endangered list because they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Natural resources are those resources that are used by humans that exist in our environment. Some natural resources are renewable. That means they can be replaced in a reasonable length of time. Plants and animals reproduce to replace their numbers. Air and water are recycled. However, there are substances that cannot replenish lost numbers in a short period of time. These are things like coal, and oil. These materials are called non-renewable resources.

Many animals have been endangered because of human activities. Overhunting and poaching has placed some animals on the endangered list. Expanding cities, building roads and railroads has caused the destruction of habitats of many organisms. The clearing of grasslands and forests has caused increased erosion of top soil. The top layer of top soil houses many minute organisms such as bacteria, fungi and insects. With the erosion of this layer, many of these organisms and other organic material is washed into rivers and streams causing pollution of the waterways and depleting the natural fertilizers from the land. Forests are renewable but only if they are managed correctly by reforesting and reharvesting.

All species within a community interact with each other to maintain the food webs and food chains in the ecosystem. The destruction of any one species could have detrimental effects on many other species in the community.

In 2006, there were a reported 521 endangered species of wildlife in Canada. Some of these organisms are:

Some Endangered Species in Canada
Whopping crane / American ginseng
American badger / Burrowing owl
Peregrine falcon / Tiger salamander
Wolverine / Blue whale
Swift fox / Northern cricket frog
Eastern cougar / Yellow rail
Piping plover / Sharp-tailed snake
Kirkland's warbler / Buffalo grass
Acadian flycatcher / Leatherback turtle
Western screech owl / Hairy prairie clover
Atlantic salmon / American marten
Henslows sparrow / Blacktailed prairie dog
Woodland caribou / Prairie lupine
Atlantic cod / Slender mouse ear cress

Activity #4: Endangered & Extinct Species Research Assignments

Prepare a multimedia presentation, booklet or brochure on an endangered or extinct organism or a region that is in environmental trouble. Prepare a list of focus questions to guide your research.

a. What do we want to know about the animals' daily life?

b. Why is this organism/area endangered?

c. What will probably happen to the anima/region if measures are not taken to preserve it?

d. What significance does this species/ region have to the environment, community, and ecosystem?

e. How long has this species/region been in trouble?

f. Include a map of the affected area or area where the endangered organism exists. Did its habitat decline and why? What was the land used for previously and what is it used for now?

g. What is the current conservation plan? Is it working?