Sei Whale's fight for noticibility!!

Sei Whales by Kristin Lee
  Scientific Name: Balaenoptera
                                                                                                      Recovery Plan: Sei Whale Recovery Plan  by the National Marine Fisheries Service
Picture courtesy of Marine Bio.org http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=192


Sei Whales, according to the Ecological Conservation Online System, have been listed as endangered on the Endangered Species List since the early 1970s. Their listing date with the ESA is 12/07/1970, while their recovery plan date is 07/27/2012. Sei Whales are rorquals which is a part of the Baleen whale family and includes humpback, blue, Bryde’s, fin, Omura’s and minke whales. Sei Whales are most similarly mistaken for their family members the fin whales, which makes their population count harder to track. Sei Whales can grow up to 40-60 ft long, with sleek slightly deep grey colored bodies that tend to have white marks on them due to being attacked by competitors or run into larger, sharp objects. The female pregnancy tends to last 10.5 to 12 months and they can live to 50-70 years old, resulting in a k-selected lifestyle.
















Map provided by NOAA

This is a map of where the Sei Whales like to travel. the switch off with the cliché migration in which they move to lower latitudes during the winter and high latitudes during the summer. They aren't known to particularly stay in the same spot year round but have been known to be spotted more closely around Iceland and Denmark. Prefers to migrate through the world's temperate to subpolar marine waters. Their typical diet consists of zooplankton, copepods, and the occasional squid.

Chart of rules in order to downlist/de-list provided by ECOS

Unfortunately due to the lack of monitoring and knowledge on the Sei Whale, the only productive plan that has been put into action is to make it restrict extensive commercial whaling by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Although scientists believe that other factors can lead to reduction in the Sei Whale population such as:
1. collissions with vessels
2. entanglement in fishing gear
3. reduced/displaced prey abundance
4. increasing ocean noise which can prohibit the whale from hearing foreign sounds or being heard while calling out for mating/help
The current recovery plan put into place is to create separate Tiers in which:  

Tier 1: 10 years of conducting research on the population size/changes and regulate whaling

Tier 2: Build upon the research of Tier 1, if Tier 1’s efforts aren’t sufficient

Tier 3: Will be a combination of reviewing Tier 1 and 2’s results; can be started prior to finalization of both previous tiers
 With these Tiers' extensive plans, according to ECOS, the ESA, MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act), and the IWC (which monitor the population rates of Sei Whales) hope to downlist the Sei Whale from endangered to threatened and with time de-list it from the ESA listing.

The Otter Side of Cute and Cuddly

The Southern Sea Otter

Sophia Liu

Scientific name: Enhydra lutris nereis

Type of listing: Threatened 

Originally approved: February 3, 1982

Listing date: February 24, 2003

Description and Ecology of the Southern Sea Otter

The sea otter is the smallest species of marine mammal in North America, with adult males reaching 135 cm and females reaching 125 cm.  Compared to their northern counterparts, southern sea otters are slightly smaller and lighter.  They have evolved to only inhabit a small geographic zone, tending to stay near the shore where there are both rocky surroundings and kelp beds.  Sea otters are considered a keystone species.  This means that they are vital in maintaining balance in their ecosystem.  Their feeding habits help to maintain kelp forests from being devoured.  Physiological features include padded forepaws, hind limbs for paddling, and a coat of guard fur and underfur.  Sea otters are unique in that there is no reserve fat or blubber for storing energy of insulating; otters stay warm entirely through the air their fur traps.

For the most part, sea otters consume invertebrates, with the exception of certain areas of otters that consume fish.  It has been concluded that when population density increased, both dietary variation and time allotted to feeding increased as well.

Geographic and Population Changes

The history of the sea otters has seen many highs and lows.  Following a period of overexploitation that almost led to extinction, sea otters were first legally protected in 1911 through the passing of the Fur Seal Treaty.  Recovering colonies then saw a strong decline in areas in western Alaska, which was hypothesized to be caused by killer whale predation.  Thus, the world population of sea otters that was previously estimated to be in the 100,000’s during the late 1900’s is realistically probably much lower.  Between the northern and southern subspecies of sea otters, it is apparent that the latter has expanded consistently south along the coast.  Wide-range surveys beginning in 1982 have given much insight into the population trends of sea otters.  As shown in the graph, there has been a subtle decline in population since the mid-1990’s, but overall, the number of sea otters has been relatively stable.  Currently, the southern sea otter population stands at 2,150 individuals along the central and southern coast of California.  

Historical range of sea otters

Current range of southern sea otter

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence

Number of sea otters counter during spring surveys (1983-2001)

In 1977, the southern sea otter was listed because of two primary reasons: small population size and distribution and threats by oil spills to the remaining habitat and population.  Traditionally, a large oil spill has posed the largest threat to sea otters.  This is due to the fact that a spot of oil on an otter’s coat renders its fur unable to provide insulation, rendering the otter defenseless against the frigid waters.  However, the lack of oil spills alongs the California coast along with a stagnant population leads researchers to believe that there are various other potential threats to be considered.  These threats could involve habitat pollution, accidental take from fisheries, newly-introduced diseases, and adjacent habitats.  The fact that the coast of California, the main habitat for the southern sea otter, is continually growing as an industrial and manufacturing area of importance means that the risk of a large oil spill or more deadly encounters with companies is growing.  

Description of Recovery Plan

In accordance with the Endangered Species Act, the recovery plan’s goal is to establish ideal conditions to ensure the long-term survival of the otters, ultimately delisting them.  To do so, the team will have to identify the reason why the population is not increasing, continue to reduce the threat of oil spills, and minimize harm that comes from accidental encounters with commercial fishing.  A very specific goal of 3,090 individuals over a span of 3 years is set. However, because the otter population is currently stagnant, it is hard to put on a timeline when the projected delisting might occur.  It is worth noting that the goal of 3,000 or so otters is considered unsustainable, so although they may be delisted, they are still considered at risk.  A brief overview of the many threats posed against otters lends insight into how much must really be done to ensure the well-being of these creatures.  Some of these threats listed include “restriction of range due to management zone, disease, incidental take in fishing gear, oil spills, contaminants,” etc. (Recovery Plan)

Sources

Works cited

http://www.defenders.org/sea-otter/basic-facts

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/030403.pdf

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=2

Image sources

http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2010/1009/360_sea_otter_0901.jpg

http://seaotters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/640x640-no-otters-no-kelp.jpg

http://www.otterproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/sea_otter_raft.jpg

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/030403.pdf

Florida Panther - The Struggle for Survival

Monday, June 8th, 2015

The Florida Panther: A Battle for Survival

Posted by Cody Leventhal

Photo By U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Brief Overview:

Scientific name: Puma concolor coryi

Other Names: Florida Panther

Range: Southern Florida

Status: Endangered

Listing Date: 1967

  Recovery plan Revised: 1981, 1987, 1995, 2008

Ecology of the Florida Panther:

     

   

Photo from Pixshark.com

 The Florida Panther is a rare subspecies of Puma that is found only the southern region of Florida. This rare cat is usually a rusty brown color and can grow to be 7 feet long, nose to tail, and weigh up to 160 pounds. Young Panthers, or kittens, are born with spots that fade usually by the time the kitten is 6 months old. The Florida Panther can be distinguished from other Puma subspecies because of its crooked tail, the cowlick on its back, and the irregular white flecks on its head and shoulders (FWS, 2008). The primary prey of these Panthers are White-Tailed Deer and Feral Hog, and an average adult male consumes one deer-sized prey every 8-11 days. These Panther's typically occur at a low population density and have a large hunting range.

Geographic and Population Changes:

   

Photo from mountainlion.org

     In the 1970's, the estimated Florida Panther population had dropped to between 12 and 20 individuals from over-exploitation and habitat loss. After becoming protected by the Endangered Species Act in 1973, conservation efforts have nurtured the estimated population back to between 100-120 individuals in 2007. The First Florida Panther specimen was found in Sebastian, Florida. This being said, it is important to note that the Florida Panther population, because of habitat loss and meta-population extirpation, has now been limited to a habitat that is less than 5% of the size of their previous range. Before extreme human involvement, the Panther's range occupied most of the southeastern U.S. including Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia (as shown in dark blue on the map) but is now limited to a small area of 3,548 square miles in Southern Florida (shown in red on the map) (FWS, 2008).

Cause of Listing and Main Threats:

     

Photo from news-press.com

     Before 1949, the Florida Panther could be poached year-round. Panthers were hunted at extremely high rates up until this time as they were perceived as a threat to humans and development. The Florida Panther Act of 1978 made the killing of one of these animals a felony. Growing human populations and developments continue to hinder restoration efforts, though, because they encroach more and more of the Panther's already limited habitat. A lack of genetic diversity due to small population sizes and inbreeding is another factor that exposes panthers to higher risk of genetic defects and disease. Another major threat to the already small Florida Panther population is Motor-vehicle related accidents, which account for about 20% of Panther deaths (Land et al. 2004). Unfortunately the largest threat to Panthers, which accounts for the most Panther deaths every year since 1972, is unpreventable as it is due to intraspecific aggression. Intraspecific aggression accounts for about 42% of Panther mortality and occurs mostly between males in an attempt to show dominance. 

Recovery Plan:

     

Photo by Robert Hartsell

     The ultimate goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is to ensure the long term survival of the Florida Panther and restore it to the point where is can be delisted from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species. The qualifications that need to be met for the Panther to be delisted are the existence of three separate, self-sustaining populations of at least 240 individuals that have been maintained for at least 12 years. In order to achieve this, the FWS has listed actions that are essential to achieving the goal. They go as follows:

1. Maintain and Expand the Panther population in South Florida.
2. Expand the Breeding population North of the Caloosahatchee River.
3. Find potential reintroduction points within the Panther's historic range
4. Reintroduce viable panther populations outside of Southern Florida
5. Secure and maintain habitat in reintroduction areas
6. Facilitate recovery through increased public awareness and education (FWS, 2008)

     If these actions are followed through with, and the Florida Panther population and habitat is expanded and secured, it is very possible that the Florida Panther could be delisted from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened species within 75 years! That means that this magnificent and majestic cat could be restored within many reader's lifetime!

     

Rarer Than Meteorite - Heller's Blazing Star

Rarer Than Meteorite

Heller's Blazing Star

Xian Chris Li

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6193/6042015068_9be542d6b8_b.jpg

Brief Overview

Scientific Name: Liatris Helleri

Other Common Names: Heller’s Gayfeather

Found In: Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina (Endemic)

Type: Perennial Herb, Purple Inflorescence

            Bloom: July through September

            Fruit: August through October

            Lifespan: 15 – 34 years (estimated)

Status: Threatened Species, Southeast Region

            Listing Date: November 19^th, 1987

            RecoveryPlan: 1987, Revised 2000

Ecology of Heller’s Blazing Star

Heller’s Blazing Star, scientifically known as the Liatris Helleri, is a rare, flowering plant that is native to the Blue Ridge Mountains. How rare, you ask? So rare, in fact, that there are only 8 documented populations currently, with one of the documented sites containing less than a doze individuals. Through monitoring the flower populations, it has been noted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that three of the sites have been undergoing decline in recent years.

 

http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/media/species/plants/hellers_blazing_star.gif

The Blazing Star’s rarity is rivaled only by the beauty of its flower. Being a flowering perennial, hikers in the mountain range from the months of July through November may catch a glimpse of purple flowers. Its natural habitat consists of rock outcrops, ledges, and other generally volcanic or sedimentary rock formations at elevations of 3500 feet to 6000 feet. The plant’s seedlings are transported largely by wind, germinating only when coming into contact with a suitable growing environment.

Threats to Existence

The inherent rarity of the species make its hard to research and document, and as a result, there is very little known scientific information available. In addition to its rare natural occurrence, there are several factors which challenge the existence of Heller’s Blazing Star.

Unlikely Pollination: Research has shown that ‘at very low densities...populations attracted few bees and only few plants were visit’ (Schaal); thus, the low numbers of individuals in each of the Heller Blazing Star’s populations (some have less than a dozen!) make it less likely for bees and other insects to pollinate

Acid Precipitation: Acid precipitation at such altitudes is possible due to atmospheric pollution

Ecological Succession: As the Liatris helleri is a pioneer species, it is not capable of surviving the complex structural development, or succession, of the surrounding ecological community.

http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/morton/wp-content/
uploads/2009/03/p081_prcp9_002165.jpg

Human Threats: Though hard to find, this species is susceptible to human interaction, such as being stepped on by hikers and adventurer on the mountain range.

Commercial Developments: Of the eight existing populations, three of the sites are privately owned and thus faces the possibility that a project (such as residential or commercial developments) may overrun its habitat. There exist already two cases where sites that previous hosted the Liatris helleri have been into development.

Recovery Plan

The recovery plan for Liatris helleri was first began on November 19^th of 1987, and is now in its final revision form, most recently published on January 28^th of 2000. The plan can be summarized into several key objectives:

• the existing populations must be protected, and a new, self-sustaining population must be either found or introduce, creating a total of nine populations
• actions must be taken by private and public landowners so that the survival of the species is ensured; there is an ongoing dialogue between the USFWS and the private owners of the 3 existing populations
• the nine populations must continue to be protected from the aforementioned threats to its survival

As the Heller’s Blazing Star is a rare species that has only recently been discovered and listed, more research also must be conducted to understand its biological characteristics and behaviour, to better inform future decision made in its management.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6002/5980190656_c0be604e51_b.jpg

Sources Cited:

"Recovery Plan for Liatris helleri Heller's Blazing Star" - US Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Heller's Blazing Star Liatris helleri" - US Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System.

Liatris helleri - Flora of North America.

"Plants profile for Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star)" - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"Density Dependant Foraging on Liatris Pycnostachya" - Barbara A. Schaal, 1977, International Journal of Organic Evolution.