1. State the scientific name
and common name of your organism, its taxonomic Order, and taxonomic Family.
There are several endangered butterflies,
one such butterfly is known as the Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa
samuelis) in the taxonomic order of Lepidoptera
and taxonomic family of Lycaenidae.
2. Include two photos illustrating the organism in its
natural setting.
3. Explain this organism’s
ecosystem role.
The Karner blue butterfly
lives in oak savannas and pine barren ecosystems. This area or region is located in the
northeastern United States. The area
includes the states of New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio,
Indiana, and Minnesota. The Karner Blue larvae
eat the wild lupines (Lupinus Perennis), which is unique to this region.
4. Describe at least
two ecological services this organism provides for humans and other
species (at least two ecological services for each, humans and other species).
There is
several ecological service that the Karner blue provides. Some of them include the caterpillars feeding
only on the wild lupine plant and adults feeding on the nectar of flowering
plants. In the ecological service of the
caterpillars eating the wild lupine, from getting of our control through over
growth. This is also associated with the
aiding in a healthier density of the wild lupine. As for the nectar, the adult Karner blue
helps to improve the nectar richness.
Another service is maintain a higher level of nectar species diversity. The decline of the Karner blue is also an
indicator to us that the pine barren habitat is also endanger.
5. Include and explain in
words, a chart or graph showing population of this organism over time.
Here is
a chart illustrating the loss of the Karner blue butterfly in Albany New York in
a ten-year period during development of a mall and surrounding areas that encroached
on the butterfly habitat.
6. State how the equation I
= PAT is involved in the threats to this organism.
The
formula to determine impact on the environment known as I=PAT or I (impact) = P
(population) x A (affluence) x T (technology) is great formula to illustrate
the things directly impacting the Karner blue butterfly. First, we know the I or impact is the
butterfly population has significantly decreased over the years and is now
endangered. Then onto the other side of
the equation, the P or population of the country has increased, including the
in the northeastern part of the country.
The population increase has negatively impacted the butterfly multiplied
with the impact from the A or affluence of the people. The affluence is the people’s need for consumption
of goods and services. This could be
reflected in chart above relating the mall development in Albany. Finally, the multiplication of T or
technology is derived from the damage done through technologies that are
supplying the consumption such as cars, trucks, busses, trains, and
factories. All three of these things
multiplied illustrate a major impact on the existence of the butterfly.
7. Referring to figure 9-3
in your textbook, determine and describe the characteristic(s) that endanger(s)
your species.
The
characteristics that endanger the Karner blue butterfly is a low reproductive
rate in that is produces many eggs, but only a small percentage may
survive. Another characteristic example
that is endangering this butterfly species is the limited or fixed migratory
pattern. The Karner blue does move very
far from its habitat and when it does, it is in a small fixed area.
8. Determine if this
organism is affected by density dependent and/or density independent factors.
Explain the situation in some detail.
In
general density dependent factors are more biological related versus density
independent factors, which are more physical factors like weather or chemical
pollutants introduced. As for the Karner
blue organism it is most impacted more by the density dependent versus the
independent. The biological factors that
impact the butterfly are the loss of the biological habitat through population
growth and development. Although
something might be said for independent factors such as pollutants effecting
the environment and causing global warming.
This seems like it might start as an independent, but then turn to a
dependent factor.
9. Describe the feedback
loops involved.
The
negative feedback loop that describes the decline of the Karner blue butterfly
is the butterfly feeds of the pine and other vegetation of the area, but many
of these species are becoming less and less due to population and development
of homes and business. As the plant
species that the butterflies feed off of, so then the butterfly population
declines. As the butterfly population
declines, then the diversity and richness of the nectar also dissipates.
10. Describe how global
climate change is affecting or is predicted to affect this organism’s habitat.
Various
studies have indicated the heat stress on Karner blue butterflies. There is an ideal temperature that the
butterfly migrates and flies within the given habitat. As global climate change takes place rather
up or down, but mostly higher temperatures dramatically negatively impact the
butterfly. By the butterfly not flying,
makes it a target for predators and prevents the reproduction process.
11. Referring to the three
principles of sustainability, why should humans care about this organism?
According
to article published by the U.S. Wildlife and Fish Services, we have lost more
than 500 species since the early 1600’s.
This is a dramatic change from a few million years ago, where it is
estimated that we only lost about 3 species a year. The bottom line rather it 3 species a year or
100 species a year, species are going extinct, meaning gone forever. Biological diversity is critically important
to the retaining a certain balance in nature.
As we have been learning this semester in Environmental biology the
balance of our ecology is fairly fragile and keeping the balance should be a
high priority. As we lose each species,
our overall environment is impacted and the quality of life is negatively
effected. As referenced earlier the loss
of the butterfly indicates a weakening of the ecosystems, that butterfly
depends on for its own survival.
12. Name and give a two or
three-sentence description of two individuals (not groups) who are champions of
this organism.
Candee
Lane Elsworth of the Toledo Zoo is an advocate that has given presentation on
the Karner blue butterfly and its importance to our ecology.
Louis
Perrotti is the director of the conservation programs for the Rogers Williams
park zoo in Rhode Island. One of the
program Louis is responsible for is the Karner blue butterfly conservation
program.
13. Name and give a two or
three-sentence description of two individuals (not groups) who do not want this
organism protected, at least not in their “own backyard.”
Unfortunately,
I was not able to identify individuals that do not want the Karner blue
butterfly protected. I would have to
indicate the groups that may not want the butterfly protected might be land
developers that do not want the area they would like to develop protected for
the butterflies and thereby preventing development. Also, maybe another threat to the Karner Blue
might be butterfly collectors. Due to
the rarity of the Karner blue, this makes the collecting of it that much more
valuable.
14. Include a link to one
recent scientific article or story about this organism that was written or
produced in the last year.
Here is
an article written just a few weeks ago about the Karner blue butterfly. The article talks about the Discovery Center
in Albany, New York having a display of the Karner Blues as they go through the
metamorphosis. The exhibit will have
several hundred Karner Blues going this life changing process. The center will also use this week to
highlight the issues surrounding the need to protect and grow awareness about
the Karner blue butterfly.
15. State the Precautionary
Principle in your own words.
Basically
the precautionary principle is an action that should be taken before an action
takes place that could do harm. There is
no need to wait for something to be inflicted then react or more related to
science, there is not need to wait for scientific findings that something may
cause harm. The public consensus can act
without of the support of the scientific community, if it deems something to be
harmful.
Works
Cited
"Crossgates Casts a Dark Shadow Over the Pine
Bush." . Pine Bush, 12 Jan. 2008. Web. 14 July 2014.
http://www.savethepinebush.org/News/03DecJan/Xgates.html>.
"Karner
Blue Butterfly Fact Sheet." . U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 1 July
2008. Web. 19 July 2014.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/kbb/kbb_fact.html>.
"Karner
Blue." . Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 19 July 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycaeides_melissa_samuelis>.
"Karner
Blue Butterfly." . U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 16 July 2014.
Web. 19 July 2014.
<http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/kbb/index.html>.
"Karner
Blue Butterfly Conservation Program." . Roger Williams Park Zoo, n.d.
Web. 19 July 2014.
<https://rwpzoo.org/147/karner-blue-butterfly-conservation-program>.
