Endangered Species

Part 1

How many species were included when the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was put into place?

There were 78 species. 

What are the steps for a species to be on the endangered list?

The first step would be to evaluate a current species that is thought to be endangered or threatened. They are considered as candidates. They then go through further review.

What are three general causes for endangerment of species?

It can be from loss of habitat, introduction from exotic species, and illegal hunting.

According to the act, what happens once a species is listed as endangered?

It receives special treatment from the government. 

Part 2

Delta Smelt- Hyopmesus transpacificus

The Delta Smelt is indigenous fish to the Sacramento- San Joaquin Estuary in California. The fish has a life span of about a year after spawning. The fish is also found on the other side of the Pacific ocean. This is a smaller fish growing between 2 and 3 inches.

A contributing factor to the Delta Smelts endangerment is larger fish species preying upon them. Fish such as members of the Bass family pet upon them that were introduced species.

This fish is considered a indicator species as it as it show the overall health of the Estuary, as it is very sensitive to changes in the water.


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150403-smelt-california-bay-delta-extinction-endangered-species-drought-fish/

This fish species is very important to the delta as it is an indicator species and that a lot of natural predators feed on the fish.

One of the big pushes to save the species is to better allocate water. The governor of California enacted a statewide water restriction.

Kay, Jane. "Delta Smelt, Icon of California Water Wars, Is Almost Extinct." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 23 July 2015.


Part 3

As favoring the building of the high school here are three benefits to building the school.

• Students will get better educations because the classrooms will not be overcrowded.
• Neighborhood value will go up with school
• Developed land looks better

My group's most preferred outcome would is to have the school built.

I really don't see any conflicts it the school is what is important.

One obstacle with the school is this elusive owl that "lives" on this property where the school is going to be built.

If the schools are overcrowded it will reduce their quality of education because there will be a higher faculty to student ratio otherwise. Also there will be less space for students to do what they need to do.

My home value will go up with the school especially if it is a good one. Home values tend to increase when they are near schools.

This ones more personal but I think that land that is developed looks better. This arid dry landscape of Arizona doesn't look that good.


The meaning behind "If you hear a hoot, this site is kaput" is that if there is evidence of the owls living in the area, the school will not be built.

A 404 permit is issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, and it is to regulate the dumping of dredged and fill materials into  U.S. waters.

The ability of ecosystems to maintain essential functions and retain biodiversity over the long term

Dennis Bainton in the cross examination of evidence. I believe this is reliable science because he is comparing knowledge.
Richardson studying the owl. I believe that this is reliable science because he is a specialist and knows what he is doing.
Asking the neighbors if they have seen the owl. I believe this is non reliable science because random people are being asked to identify something they are not educated in, there are too many variables.

 I believe that a document that is over 40 years old should be revised due to our increased knowledge about the subject, but I don't think that it should be revised with the main goal to allow for the increase of economic growth.