Research Guides: The Sixth Extinction (First Year Read, 2019): Anthropocene Extinction

The Sixth Extinction: Definitions & More Info

This graph, based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric CO2 has increased since the Industrial Revolution. (Source: [[LINK||http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/icecore/||NOAA]]) — This graph, based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric CO₂ has increased since the Industrial Revolution. (Credit: Luthi, D., et al.. 2008; Etheridge, D.M., et al. 2010; Vostok ice core data/J.R. Petit et al.; NOAA Mauna Loa CO₂ record.) Find out more about ice cores (external site). Source: Climate.Nasa.gov

Anthropocene Extinction, AccessScience (2019)
This article from AccessScience defines the term, the history of previous extinctions and the effects of human activities on the world's flora and fauna, and provides further reading.
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Species At Risk

Threatened and endangered species, in the U.S. and international

A lot of information on threatened and endangered species is collected by government agencies as well as nonprofits focused on conservation. While the data they collect can usually be considered credible, it is also important to be aware of the sources behind that data, whether government agency or nonprofit, just as it is important to consider the credibility of all information you may come across.

Image: "Spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri)" by Laura L. Whitehouse, USFWS (public domain, via the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

General

World Wildlife Fund Species Directory
The World Wildlife Fund's list of species at risk or endangered.
U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Endangered Species Database
Information about threatened and endangered species in the states and territories of the United States, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agency.
The FWS is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Marine

Image: "What is Coral Bleaching?" Infographic from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (click image to enlarge)

Protecting Marine Life (NOAA Fisheries)
Data, laws and information about dealing with marine life from NOAA Fisheries, the department of the federal agency focused on the nation's oceans and inhabitants.
The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
FIshWatch.gov (NOAA Fisheries)
FishWatch, from NOAA Fisheries, tracks fish used as seafood and the sustainability of each species based on population, fishing rate, habitat impacts and other factors. Are you making smart seafood choices?
The NOAA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Coral Reef Conservation Program (NOAA)
The Coral Reef Conservation Program brings together all of the departments of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration that deal with coral reefs to help better address the issue of conservation.
The NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Relevant Laws and Treaties

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1975)
"CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival." The text of the convention was adopted in 1973, and took force in 1975. There are currently 183 parties to the convention, including 182 individual countries and the European Union. In the U.S., CITES is enforced by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Endangered Species Act (1973)
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 created the system of regulation, overseen by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, by which the U.S. would meet the requirements of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and other international agreements.

The Sixth Extinction (First Year Read, 2019)

The Sixth Extinction: Definitions & More Info

Species At Risk

Threatened and endangered species, in the U.S. and international

General

Marine

Image: "What is Coral Bleaching?" Infographic from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (click image to enlarge)

Relevant Laws and Treaties

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