Species at Risk
Introduction to Species at Risk (SAR)
By definition, species at risk are those which are in danger of becoming extinct of extirpated. Species at risk are typically at risk due to environmental or human-induced changes to them or their habitat(s) on a local, regional, or global scale. Species at risk are not to be confused with Rare Species, which include those than naturally appear in low numbers or solely in highly restricted areas. It is important to note that not all rare species are at risk.
Species can be considered at risk locally or on a global scale and they can also be ranked at different levels of risk for extinction. To assess this, species are listed by different agencies for different parts of the world. Blanding's turtles (seen here) are a species at risk in Canada. This turtle is one of three Blanding's turtles that have been found at Plenty Canada.
By definition, species at risk are those which are in danger of becoming extinct of extirpated. Species at risk are typically at risk due to environmental or human-induced changes to them or their habitat(s) on a local, regional, or global scale. Species at risk are not to be confused with Rare Species, which include those than naturally appear in low numbers or solely in highly restricted areas. It is important to note that not all rare species are at risk.
Species can be considered at risk locally or on a global scale and they can also be ranked at different levels of risk for extinction. To assess this, species are listed by different agencies for different parts of the world. Blanding's turtles (seen here) are a species at risk in Canada. This turtle is one of three Blanding's turtles that have been found at Plenty Canada.
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Photo by Rob Tervo, Government of Ontario.
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Causes Resulting in Species Becoming at Risk
There are many natural and non-natural cause which can result in a species being put at risk that can be broadly categorizes into habitat disturbance or destruction, invasive (non-native) species, and global (climate) changes.
Species at risk due to habitat disturbance or destruction typically occurs due to human activity. The survival of a species depends on the survival of its habitat. If the area in which it lives, feeds, or breeds is disturbed or destroyed, then the species only has three options; it is either to adapt to the changes, relocate, or die, causing populations to dwindle and putting the species at risk.
The invasion of species that are not native to a specific area can become introduced either accidentally (by humans, or on their own accord), or for experimental purposes. The newly introduced species can become a threat to existing species if they outcompete for food, habitat, or if they prey on the native species.
Climate changes such as global warming and global pollution can cause many species to fall at risk. Most known species have limited tolerance for environmental changes and if this tolerance is exceeded, then it is likely that the species population in the affected area(s) will suffer.
Protecting Species at Risk
In 1987 Canada established the Endangered Spaces Campaign. This was a 10-year campaign that ended in 2000 by adding a total of 38 million hectares to Canada’s parks and protected areas. There is also the Species at Risk Act implemented by the Government of Canada. This is an Act to protect wildlife species at risk in Canada that recognizes Canada’s national heritage is an integral part of our national identity.
Species at Risk Act (Canada)
The Species at Risk Act was introduced in Canada in 2002 with the purpose of preventing wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. The Act also consists of a Stewardship Action Plan that can create incentives and other measures to support voluntary stewardship actions by any government within Canada.
The Act can be found here: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/S-15.3.pdf
There are many natural and non-natural cause which can result in a species being put at risk that can be broadly categorizes into habitat disturbance or destruction, invasive (non-native) species, and global (climate) changes.
Species at risk due to habitat disturbance or destruction typically occurs due to human activity. The survival of a species depends on the survival of its habitat. If the area in which it lives, feeds, or breeds is disturbed or destroyed, then the species only has three options; it is either to adapt to the changes, relocate, or die, causing populations to dwindle and putting the species at risk.
The invasion of species that are not native to a specific area can become introduced either accidentally (by humans, or on their own accord), or for experimental purposes. The newly introduced species can become a threat to existing species if they outcompete for food, habitat, or if they prey on the native species.
Climate changes such as global warming and global pollution can cause many species to fall at risk. Most known species have limited tolerance for environmental changes and if this tolerance is exceeded, then it is likely that the species population in the affected area(s) will suffer.
Protecting Species at Risk
In 1987 Canada established the Endangered Spaces Campaign. This was a 10-year campaign that ended in 2000 by adding a total of 38 million hectares to Canada’s parks and protected areas. There is also the Species at Risk Act implemented by the Government of Canada. This is an Act to protect wildlife species at risk in Canada that recognizes Canada’s national heritage is an integral part of our national identity.
Species at Risk Act (Canada)
The Species at Risk Act was introduced in Canada in 2002 with the purpose of preventing wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. The Act also consists of a Stewardship Action Plan that can create incentives and other measures to support voluntary stewardship actions by any government within Canada.
The Act can be found here: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/S-15.3.pdf
