Biodiversity Crisis 2010 GB
Transcription
Biodiversity Crisis 2010 GB
Semaine Européenne Écologie & Sociétés The biodiversity crisis Franck Courchamp [email protected] 16 novembre 2010 01: Introduction: definition of the problem 02: Biodiversity: value and quantification 03: Biodiversity crisis 04: Major causes of extinctions 05: Biological Conservation Slides on http://www.ese.u-psud.fr/epc/conservation/pdf/biocrisis.pdf 1st part Introduction When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world Muir, John Naturalist, Preservationist and Founder of the Sierra Club (1838-1914) Where does the biodiversity crisis problem come from? Malthusean growth of the human population Available resources are not infinite Tragedy of the commons Malthusean growth of the human population The human bomb Size of the human population in November 2010 > 6,5 billions inhabitants Size of the human population in November 2010 > 6,5 billions inhabitants ~ 100 years ago : < 1 billion in ~ 50 years : > 9 billions The Population Bomb de Paul R. Ehrlich, 1968 8000 years ago, doubling time: one million years 150 years ago, doubling time: 200 years Today, doubling time: 35 years The Population Bomb de Paul R. Ehrlich, 1968 8000 years ago, doubling time: one million years 150 years ago, doubling time: 200 years Today, doubling time: 35 years Even if we stopped the doubling time decreasing (at 35 years), in 900 years time, we’d be… The Population Bomb de Paul R. Ehrlich, 1968 8000 years ago, doubling time: one million years 150 years ago, doubling time: 200 years Today, doubling time: 35 years Even if we stopped the doubling time decreasing (at 35 years), in 900 years time, we’d be… 60 000 000 000 000 000 humans The Population Bomb de Paul R. Ehrlich, 1968 8000 years ago, doubling time: one million years 150 years ago, doubling time: 200 years Today, doubling time: 35 years Even if we stopped the doubling time decreasing (at 35 years), in 900 years time, we’d be… 60 000 000 000 000 000 humans (sixty millions of billions, enough to cover the whole of Earth with a density of 100 inhabitant/m2) 1 This class started at 2 pm, it should stop at 5 pm This means there will be over 42 000 more people on Earth at the end of it… 1 If I just stop to breath… 20 more people… 1 in 4 days, One more million … 1 Human population, in billions Earth cannot support more than a given population size 2 Available resources are finite 2 Thomas Malthus “An Essay on the Principle of Population” (1798) The human population increases geometrically while resources availability increase arithmetically If the population is not controlled intentionnally, it will distance the resources and will lead to unexpected controls which will put the population back to sustainable levels Increase 2 Time Threshold where the needs are higher than the availability Human population and availability of renewable resources 1990 Population (millions) Fisheries landing (million of tons) 2010 5,290 7,030 Total Per Capita Change (%) Change (%) 33 85 102 20 -10 237 277 17 -12 1,444 1,516 5 -21 (million hectares) 3,402 3,540 4 -22 Forests (million hectares) 3,413 3,165 -7 -30 irrigated lands (million hectares) arable lands (million hectares) Farms and pastures Ref: Postel, S. "Carrying capacity: Earth's bottom line." State of the World, 1994. 2 Water availability in the world 2 Fresh water global distribution About 1,1 billion people still don’t have access to drinkable water, and 2,4 more need cleaner water Human population, in billions Max number of human that can be fed by Earth resources Earth ecosystems cannot support more than a given human population size 2 In conclusion, our needs are quickly going to exceed our available ressources The major problem thus lies in the managment of these resources Is this compatible with the protection of biodiversity? 3 Tragedy of the Commons (Hardin, 1968) To explain the tradedy of the commons, Hardin imagined a common pasture. Each farmer has interest to increase his herd without limit, while no one has incentive to take care of the pasture, invest in it or increase its productivity, which inevitably leads to the pasture destruction. In many ways, we are currently living the tragedy of the commons For forests, For fisheries, For soils, For living species, For fresh water, For air quality, temperature, … Hence a threat on biodiversity 3 Easter Island Originally, there were dense forests, with a rich plant and animal biodiversity. Colonised by man 400 years ago. Forests were cut down and burned, marine and terrestrial birds hunted down, fish schools and dolphins overexploited, domestic animals and cultivated plants introduced. The human population increased up to 10 000, which is probably more than this closed and naïve ecosystem could support. There are now no forests left, and no animal larger than insects. In 1877, there were only 111 inhabitants. And 200 stone statues. 3 Average temperature variation on the planet since 1861 3 Carbon in the atmosphere 3 Temperature increase 3 Sea level increase 75% of humanity will live on costs in 2025 Climatic changes: Average temperature increase - not uniform on the planet Increase from 2 to 6°C within the next century --> increase of 5 to 10 °C in some regions in Canada - not uniform during the year Climatic changes: - Changes in the wind and rain patterns - Increase of frequency and magnitude of extreme meteorological events Saint-Louis, Août 2005 Conclusion Human demography explosion Limitation of resources Tragedy of the commons + + The problem of biodiversity loss we currently face comes from the fact that these three points occur simultaneously. Each would not have the same impact if it occured alone. 2nd part Biodiversity The most striking feature of Earth is the existence of life, and the most striking feature of life is its diversity. David Tilman, Nature, 2000 Definition of biodiversity Origin of biodiversity Levels of biodiversity Quantification of biodiversity Value of biodiversity 4rth part Loss of biodiversity Definition of biodiversity It’s a contraction of biological diversity. It refers to the variation of the living world, the declination of all living forms on the planet in all its level of wealth, from genes to ecosystems 2 Origin of biodiversity 2 Humans: 30,000 years 2 Evolution can be seen as a slowly increased of life, with an explosion at the Cambrian, and an important richness of life since then There has already been hundreds of millions of species on Earth Over 99% of these species are now gone 2 Andrewsarchus Yes, but the natural fate of most species has been to evolve into new species Propalaeotherium Three levels of Biodiversity genetic specific of ecosystems 3 All these levels are linked together, but are distinct enough so tht each can be studied separately Most studies focus at the specific level, as it is the easiest, both conceptually and practically 4 Quantification of biodiversity 4 4 000 400 000 99 % 4 000 1 000 000 99 % 40 000 400 000 90 % 270 000 320 000 15 % 40 000 200 000 80 % 90 000 750 000 88 % 100 000 200 000 50 % 950 000 8 000 000 88 % 23 2500 25 0000 7 % 5 000 6 000 17 % 7 400 8 000 8 % 9 900 10 000 1 % 4 600 5 000 8 % Without knowing it, we live in a world of insects and fungi… 4 1,5 millions species described 270 000 plant species 1 230 000 animal species A recent study of the entomofauna in the canopy of 19 trees in Panama showed that over the 950 coleopter species found, 80% were unknown! Estimates of the total number of species on Earth vary between 5 and 100 millions Procaryots: 1 to 10 billions « species » !!! By far the largest part of biodiversity animals Procaryots: 1 to 10 billions « species » !!! By far the largest part of biodiversity For biodiversity, we know only the tip of the iceberg! The Mindoro stripe-faced fruit bat (Styloctenium mindorensis), nicknamed the "flying fox" or the platupus for its foxlike face is a species of large Philippine fruit bat. Discovered in 2007 oxyuranus temporalis, from Australia, possibly one of the most venomous snake on earth Tiger Huntsman, from Australia New predatory ant species found in Suriname Brachylophus bulabula, New Iguana Species Found in Fiji Discovered in 2008 Tanzanian grey-faced elephant shrew, the size of a small dog and a long snout like an elephant New toad species from Suriname Phobaeticus chani, The longest insect in the world (~60 cm) Desmoxytes purpurosea, the dragon centipede, filled with cyanide Discovered in 2009 Hippocampus satomiae, or pygmy pony, the smallest sea horse in the world (<14mm) Tube-nosed fruit bat nyctimene from Papoua New-Guinea Tyrannobdella rex: or tyrant leech king, found living exclusively in the nostrils of its hosts, including humans Brachiopsilus dianthus, hand-fin fish, walking at the bottom of oceans Discovered in 2010 Ibycus rachelae: the ninja slug, who projects a hormon loaded dart to its potential mates The « glass-frog », so transparent one can see all its organs 3 Rediscovery of once thought extinct species Madagascar Dwarf Lemur Lost in 1964 Re-found in 1989 Coelacanthe « living fossil »: 1938 2008, in Ecuador, herpetologists found the “extinct” species of harlequin frog (Atelopus palmatus). Not recorded since 1937 this vibrant frog was thought to have succumbed to habitat and disease long ago. 3 Even entire orders are still discovered Mantophasmatodea: 2002 Ref: http://www.museums.org.za/bio/insects/mantophasmatodea/ 3 Even entire phyla… The 36th animal phylum: Cycliophora, discovered in 1995 3 … and entire ecosysems In the 70s, new marine ecosystems are discovered at about 2000 deep 3 A new external energy source (not light) and many new species Rate of new species description 10 000 species newly described each year Several millions species still unknown We would need, at this pace, 1 000 years to name all the species We therefore know only a small part of the specific biodiversity of our planet The inversed pyramide of biodiversity As we see it Microbs Invertebrates Plants Fish Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Birds Humans The inversed pyramide of biodiversity Microbs Invertebrates Plants Fish Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Birds Humans As it really is 3rd part Biodiversity crisis «We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children» Antoine de Saint Exupéry Value of biodiversity Loss of biodiversity 1 Value of biodiversity Anthropocentric value : value as a mean to reach a goal (e.g., economics benefits) Intrinsic value : value regardless of its value to humans 1 Anthropocentric value: goods e.g. : food 1 Anthropocentric value : goods e.g., materials 1 Anthropocentric value: goods e.g., medicine 1 Anthropocentric value : goods e.g. unknown The future potential of « yet to be discovered goods » is often called the insurance against the future 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., purification of water and air 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., adequate concentration of atmospheric CO2 and O2 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., soil preservation and erosion protection 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., reduction of the severity of droughts and floods 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., moderation of extreme climatic events 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., recycling of nutrients 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., detoxification and decomposition of wastes 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., generation and conservation of fertile soils 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., pollination 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., seeds dispersal 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., pest insect control by their natural ennemies 1 Anthropocentric value : services e.g., functions yet to be discovered It is often when the ecosystems have been damages that we undertand their role and importance, a posteriori 1 Anthropocentric value : genetic information Scientific and socioeconomic value: artificial selection of domesticated plants and animal 1 Anthropocentric value : genetic information Scientific and socioeconomic value : genetically modified organisms maïs 1 Anthropocentric value : services : esthétique et récréationnelle Value for recreation and personnal satisfaction (tourism) 1 Anthropocentric value : culture For several societies, biodiversity is a n important part of the cultural canevas. Its loss might lead to the loss of tradition and ancestral values 1 Intrinsic value Religion Species have a value because they were created by a divinity 92 1 Intrinsic value Holistic rationalism Value because it forms a complex and elegant system, with desirable properties, even if not necessarily useful 1 Intrinsic value Respect of life because life is sacred to many 1 Intrinsic value Bio-empathy Because we are emotionaly attracted, even if they are not directly useful Biodiversity is important for our well being, for our survival, for our future and for itselft Need a break? 4th part Biodiversity decline "Only when the last tree is cut; only when the last river is polluted; only when the last fish is caught; only then will they realize that you cannot eat money." Proverbe Indien (Cree) Extinction rate Normal: ~ 12 per year Smilodon, éteint il y a 10 000 ans Extinction rate Normal: ~ 12 per year 1600 1950: ~ 100 per year Thylacine, éteint il y a 70 ans Extinction rate Normal: ~ 12 per year 1600 1950: ~ 100 per year Today: ~ 1 000 per year Tigre de Chine, éteint à l’état sauvage Extinction rate Normal: ~ 12 per year 1600 1950: ~ 100 per year Today: ~ 1 000 per year In a few decades : ~ 10 000 per year Lion, bientôt éteint? Extinction rate Normal: ~ 12 per year 1600 1950: ~ 100 per year Today: ~ 1 000 per year In a few decades : ~ 10 000 per year It is 100 to 1000 times more than the normal rate As the rate of speciation does not increase, it is a loss We are currently living what has been called the 6th mass extinction This term is used because of the increase of the rate of extinction Unlike the previous ones, this mass extinction is our making: - we will suffer its effects - we are morally responsible - we can do something Losses One third of world natural ressources consumed in only a quarter of century (1970 et 1995) Extinction rate of several species per hour We have already loss over one million species We are likely to lose several more millions in the coming decades Description rate of new species - 10 000 newly described species every year - Several millions still unknown - At this pace, we would need 1 000 years to name all species However, up to 2/3 could be loss within the next 100 years Most species will disappear without even having been named, let alone described or studied, and of course without discovering their potential benefits for humanity Most species will disappear without even having been named, let alone described or studied, and of course without discovering their potential benefits for humanity We thus still know only a small part of the biodiversity of our planet and we will eventually never know more than a small part What are the causes? Extinctions causes Habitat Overexploitation Biological invasions Pollution destruction Which is the worst? Pollution? Overrexploitation? Habitat destruction? Biological invasions? What about climate change? Until recently never accounted for in global studies Interact with the other four causes Many studies: - very variable results - probably significant biodiversity loss Cause n°1 Habitat destruction : loss and fragmentation Habitat fragmentation in Alberta, Canada Causes of fragmentation: deforestation Forest biodiversity losses 45 % of forest covers since the last 8000 years, especially during the last century Loss over 200 millions hectares since 1990 (>West Europe) According to the FAO, a yearly loss of 9.4 million hectares since 1990, most of which concerns tropical forests (>Portugal or Hungary) Ref: http://www.unep.org/GoverningBodies/GC22/Document/K0263740.F.doc Zones de forêts et Zone de Déforestation Sur les 8 000 dernières années If deforestation continues at the present rate, Thaïland won’t have any forests left in 25 years, Philippins in less than 20 years In most places, deforestation rates actually increase Biodiversity in 10 km2 of tropical forest in Brazil Group Number of species Tree Flowering plants Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians 750 15000 125 400 100 60 Deforestation in China • Human population increased x2.5 these last 50 years, x5 in forest zones • Wood exploitation increased from 20 millions m3/year in the 50s to three times that in the 90s • Natural forests now represent only 30% of forest zones Déforestation (Orange) dans un site de la province de Jilin, 1984-1997 Madagascar 4th island in size in the world 10 000 endemic plant flower species Most forest zones already destroyed 75% of its flowering plants 97% of its butterflies, 90% of its primates, reptiles and amphibians live nowhere else Cause n°2 Biological invasions Species that are suddenly introduced into a new environment often die out, but a few of them survive, establish and become invasive Caulerpe Caulerpa taxifolia Why is this a problem? For dozens of millions of years, species unable to disperse on long distances have diverged behing « geographical barriers » Human transports (migrations, tourism and commerce), recently accelerated the introcution of species into new environments, eliminating this isolation Hence, the number of species colonizing new habitats increased by several order of magnitude these two last centuries Kudzu, Japanese ivy The annual cost of invasive plants is over 6 billions dollar in the US. It reaches 137 billions (production loss + control) with all introduced species in the US 4 examples plant herbivorous omnivorous carnivorous Example of an introduced plant Miconia Introduite comme plante ornementale sur Tahiti en 1937 Aujourd’hui plus de la moitié de l’île est lourdement envahie Son système d’enracinement superficiel et tentaculaire favorise les glissements de terrain, sa canopée hermétique élimine les autres plantes Plusieurs espèces endémiques de Tahiti sont menacées d’extinction à cause de Miconia Miconia a été également introduite dans plusieurs autres îles, ycompris à Hawaii, où on la trouve à de nombreux endroits de cet archipel. Elle est toujours vendue comme plante ornementale dans les tropiques Example of an introduced herbivorous species The rabbit En Australie, ils sont une triste illustration du potentiel néfaste des espèces introduites Introduit sur plus de 800 îles, ils s’adaptent à des conditions difficiles, ont un régime alimentaire très flexible et se reproduisent exceptionnellement bien. Impact jusqu’à totale disparition d’espèces : Sur l’île de Laysan, Hawaii, les lapins introduits sont responsables de l’élimination de 26 espèces de plantes entre 1903 et 1923, soit un taux excédant une espèce par an. Par la destruction de l’habitat et des ressources, ils sont aussi responsables de la disparition de 3 espèces d’oiseaux. Une 4ème, le canard de Laysan, ne comptait plus que 7 individus lorsque les lapins ont été éliminés. Introduced goats Dégâts occasionnés par des chèvres introduites aux Galapagos Example of an introduced omnivorous species: Rats Les omnivores posent un problème particulier car ayant deux types de sources de nourriture, ils peuvent alterner et subsister en l’absence de l’une d’elles (hivers pour la végétation, ou migration des oiseaux) Example of an introduced carnivorous species The brown tree snake • Accidentel introduction in Guam by US Army during WWII • Now reaches densities higher than 31 000/km2 Sole responsible for the extinction of: • 12 out of the 14 endemic bird species • Two out of the three endemic bat species • 9 out of the 12 endemic lizard species Still no clue as to how to remove it from the island Conflicts of interests: the example of the Nile perch • Intentionally introduced in Victoria Lake • Caused a major change in fish community structures • Yet, represents a major food sources for local human populations Victoria Lake • 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world • Major protein source for 3 countries: – Ouganda – Kenya – Tanzania • Yound lake : 12 000 ans • Cichlidae diversified there : 500 sp This actually constitute the most massive extinction known in modern time for vertebrates (disparition of over 200 fish species within a few decades). Cichlidae • Small fish • Varied diet, mostly herbivores and detritivores • Little value for fishing • A formidable example of evolutive radiation IUCN list of the « 100 of the worst invaders »… Ref: http://www.issg.org/ 2 Characteristics of invasive species • High r and high dispersal rate • Vegetative or clonal reproduction (plants) • Habitat generalist • Diet generalist (polyphagous/omnivorous) • Naturally large geographic distribution 144 2 Characteristics of invaded communities • Low diversity • Lack of natural ennemies • Lack of ecological equivalent in native species • Anthropogenic perturbations (degraded habitats) • Simple trophic webs 145 3 Overexploitation 3 Exploitation of plants or animals at a rate exceeding their capacity to naturally regenerate All species can be concerned, but the most sensitive are large species with low reproduction rates (large trees, large mammals, species on isolated islands, …) • Exploitation accidentelle d’organismes reliée à des activités humaines • Ex: oiseaux migrateurs et gratteciel, routes, lamantins et moteurs à hélice Accidental exploitation 4 à 10 millions / an Oiseaux migrateurs Une étude du US Fish and Wildlife service de 2000 rapporte une fourchette de mortalité de 4 à 10 millions d’oiseaux par an pour les seuls États-Unis Roadkills Données très éparses, par pays ou régions The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation statistics show that the total of wild animals killed in the ten year period from 1992 to 2002 could be as high as 128,846 or more. - At least 3.9 million miles of public roads crisscross the United States - State Farm estimates that 1.5 million vehicles collide with deer every year - Millions of vertebrates - birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians - are killed every year by vehicles Indirect exploitation • Exploitation d’une espèce par un effet indirect de l’exploitation d’une autre • Ex: tortues marines et mammifères marins affectés par la pêche commerciale 1990: 55 000 noyées par an dans les filets à crevettes des flottes Américaines. 200 000 loggerheads and 50 000 leatherbacks were likely taken as pelagic longline bycatch in 2000. Given 80–95% declines for Pacific loggerhead and leatherback populations over the last 20 years, this bycatch level is not sustainable. Ecology Letters, (2004) 7: 221–231 En 1991, une étude sur 1/4 des filets maillants utilisés au Japon, montre la mortalité suivante: • • • • • • • 26,000 mammifères marins 406 tortues marines 270,000 oiseaux marins 700,000 requins bleus 25,000 calamars non ciblés 141,000 saumons 39 millions d’autres poissons 3 Subsistance exploitation • Récolte de ressources naturelles pour subvenir à ses besoins: nourriture, vêtements, combustible, logement • intensité d’exploitation dépend de la population et de son niveau de consommation • risques de surexploitation généralement peu élevés Mais problème si la population augmente (gibier en Afrique)… 3 Recreational exploitation • Récolte de ressources naturelles comme activité récréative: chasse et pêche sportive, collections (insectes, plantes, papillons) 3 Les NACs Tous les ans, plus de 8 millions d’oiseaux prélevès pour le marché des Nouveaux Animaux de Companie Le Ara hyacinthe, en 20 ans est passé de plus de 100 000 à moins de 3 000 3 Les NACs Ce marché est responsable du déclin de 40 espèces dans le monde --> attention aux invasions biologiques… 3 Chasse pour les trophées ou pour le sport Les plus gros spécimens sont tués préférentiellement Ce sont en général les meilleurs reproducteurs L’impact est disproportionné par rapport aux nombres prélevés Commercial exploitation • Produits dérivés de la récolte sont vendus sur le marché (noir) Chute importante de populations dues au commerce international: • Alligators, crocodiles • Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants • Fur-bearing animals: cheetahs, cats, otters, chinchilla, vicuna, some monkeys • Mahogany, cedar • Orchids, other plants • Tropical fish, birds 3 Médecine traditionnelle Est souvent d’autant plus efficace que l’espèce est rare Cause importante de mortalité pour certains grands mammifères 3 Parties du tigre utilisées pour la médecine traditionnelle Chinoise Tiger Subspecies: 5,000-7,400 total 3 (down from ~150, 000) Siberian Caspian Wild 0 (1950s) Captive 150-200 490 South China Wild 30-80 Captive 48 Indochinese Bengal Wild Captive Wild 3,250-4,700 1,050-1,750 Captive 30 333 Sumatran Wild Captive 400–500 235 Java Bali 0 (1972) 0 (1937) 3 Le rhinocéros noir Les éléphants d’Afrique et le commerce de l’ivoire Population Africaine: 1979: ~ 1,3 millions 1989: 625 000 Afrique du Sud: 19ème siècle: 200,000 1920: 120 3 Surpopulation dans certaines zones Grand primates (tous menacés) Chimpanzés (2 espèces) & Gorilles (3 sousespèces) en Afrique de l’Ouest Nombres réduits par 50% ces 20 dernières années : • Perte d’habitat • Commercialisation de la viande • Virus Ebola virus - Seront vraisemblablement éteintes dans la nature dans 30 ans Orang-Outans à Borneo et Sumatra (2 espèces) Nombres réduits par 91% depuis un siècle : • Perte d’habitat • Commercialisation de la viande - Seront vraisemblablement éteintes dans la nature dans 20 ans 3 La crise du gibier vide les forêts Africaines Concerne à peu près toutes les espèces de vertébrés, à hauteur de 1-5 millions de tonnes La situation est la plus préoccupante pour les primates tels que les gorilles et les chimpanzés La population Africaine a été multipliée par 8 au 20ème siècle 60% de la viande qui y est consommée est du gibier La viande de brousse ‘bushmeat’ représente un marché de plusieurs millions de dollars dans les pays tropicaux d’Afrique, d’Asie et d’Amérique du Sud Il ne s’agit pas seulement d’un problème écologique ou même éthique, mais bien d’un problème socio-économique complexe 3 Intensive commercial exploitation • L’histoire montre que ce type d’exploitation n’est pas bien géré et mène souvent à la destruction complète de la ressource Grand Pingouin (Pinguinus impennis) Chassé pour ses plumes à partir de 1785. Éteint en 1844 3 La Tourte voyageuse ou pigeon migrateur Ils étaient probablement entre 3 et 5 milliards lors de la colonisation de l’Amérique par les Européens «passenger pigeons» : leur passage pouvait obscurcir le ciel pendant des heures. Tellement nombreux, qu’ils servirent à nourrir les nouvelles villes de la côte Est. Et également de tir par loisir (1er à tirer 30000 oiseaux remporte la compétition) 3 Le 1er septembre 1914, à 13h00, Martha le dernier spécimen de l’espèce est morte à l’age de 29 ans, 25 ans après l’extinction de l’espèce dans la nature C’est peut être l’unique fois dans l’histoire où on connaît l’instant exact de l’extinction d’une espèce. Il n’aura fallut que 50 ans pour que l’homme extermine cette espèce Ref: http://www.ulala.org/P_Pigeon/George.html 3 Loutre de mer (commerce de fourrures) 1750-1790: 250 000 peaux Populations en 1965 : Russie: 6 000 Alaska: 25 000 Washington: éteinte Oregon: éteinte Californie: 600 Mexique: éteinte Columbie Britannique: éteinte 3 Bison d’Amérique Année 1860 1889 1900 1905 1908 1913 1967 1972 1994 - 2002 Nombre 60,000,000 1,100 500 1,697 2,047 3,000 20,000 30,000 ~200,000 3 Great Whale Populations Group Species Past Rights Right whale 200,000 8,000 Bowhead whale 120,000 7,500 Blue whale 200,000 2,000 Fin whale 470,000 111,000 Sei whale 200,000 25,000 Minke 140,000 940,000 Humpbacks Humpback whale 125,000 10,000 Grays Atlantic Gray whale ? extinct 10,000 26,000 Rorquals Pacific Gray whale From "State of the World, 1994" 1993 3 Etat actuel des populations de baleines Extinct Atlantic Gray Atlantic Bowhead Struggling Western Pacific Gray North Atlantic Right Southern Blue Recovering Minke: 900,000 Gray (Pacific): 26,000 Bowhead (Pacific): – 1500 (1976) to 7,500 North Atlantic humpbacks: – 5,505 (1980’s) to 11,000 (2000) Humpback whales, California coast: – 88 (1979) to 607 (1991) Blue whales, California coast: – 500 (1979) to 2049 (1991) 3 Surexploitation des stocks de poissons Accroissement des prises au niveau mondial 3 Effondrements… Anchois du Pérou Prises, en millions de tonnes Rendement maximum supportable Accroissement de l’exploitation Effondrement du stock 3 Stocks de la Nouvelle-Angleterre Abondance Exploitation 3 Stocks de sardine Californienne Date Prises (tonnes) 1936-37 3/4 million 1957-58 17 3 Déclin des stocks Million tons 4,5 4 3,5 3 Prises des années 60 Prises de 1992 2,5 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 Source: Food and Agriculture Organization 3 Déclin des poissons prédateurs 90 % de tous les gros poissons y inclus Thons, Marlins, Espadons, Requins, Morues, et Flétans ont déjà disparu Ref: http://ram.biology.dal.ca/~myers/depletion/ 3 Thon rouge Le thon rouge, oscille entre 6 et 12% de son niveau de susbistance, restant au seuil de l’extinction Date Catch 1970 300,000 1990 30,000 Marlin blanc, marlin bleu Evolution de la biomasse du marlin blanc Les experts prédisent une extinction imminente (sinon déjà passée) pour ces deux espèces, exploitées à 8 et 4 fois le niveau maximum supportable 3 Esturgeons 27 espèces: toutes menacées 3 Effondrement des stocks d’invertébrés aux Etats-Unis • Californie: • Homards • Calamars • Abalones • Oursins • Chesapeake Bay: • Crabes bleus • Huitres • Autres: • Crevettes • Crabes dormeur • Crabes royaux • Limules Stocks de calamars en Californie Prises de 1996 : 80 000 tonnes, pour une valeur de 33.5 millions de dollars US Prises de 1998 : 0 tonne Etc… 5th part Biodiversity protection Etc… The first rule of any clever tinkerer is to keep all the pieces Aldo Leopold, fondateur américain de l’écologie Species protection « flag » species « umbrella » species « keystone » species « engineer » species We manage increasingly better to save species, sometimes from the very brink of extinction Space protection Protected areas Preservation of a larger group of species Space protection Protected areas Also allows to protect biodiveristy at the global level, in a fully functionning ecosystem Here also progresses are encouraging, with more, larger and better designed reserves Progresses in Conservation Biologie are enormous - We are increasingly efficient, we understand better decline causes and how to reverse them - there are increasingly more professions related to nature protection - The interest from the publis is also increasing There are reasons to be optimistic!! For scientists - The solution? - Fundamental research For the others = understanding of decline causes - Applied research = optimization of biodiversity protection - Biodiversity management = restauration, reintroductions, conservation ex-situ, design and management of protected areas, … More and more successes in conservation programs For scientists - The solution? - Act fast For the others - Who? - Everyone - Priority? - Information Compared to scientific progresses, public awareness is really progressing slowly During this seminar, I used the photos of around 50 species. Given the current rate of extinction, this is about the same number of species than those who disappeared today And those who will disappear tomorrow And the day after tomorrow Etc… Extinction is forever… Thanks