Why Is Your Species Endangered from an Economic Perspective?

Ashley Fong December 9, 2012 SEA-DISC

Senior Content

1. Why is your species endangered from an economic perspective?

The Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly that once inhabited southern Florida and parts of the

Florida Keys has declined greatly over the years. Being first listed as an endangered species in

August 1984, recent sightings have not improved much since then, being located in only two places: the mainland of southern Florida, Miami-Dade and Monroe, and in the northern part of the Florida keys (Xerces Society, 2006). The population decrease of the Schaus Swallowtail is due to many economical reasons. This butterfly requires a habitat only found in certain locations in southern Florida. Its habitat, sub-tropical dry forests, consists of hardwood hammocks, which are at a relatively high elevation, with lower plant vegetation surrounding and over story trees, which are trees that reach higher above the hammock (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). The

Schaus’ habitat has little sunlight, which is important for not only the Schaus but also its primary source of food, torchwood (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008).

The Schaus was listed as endangered because of decline in habitat, over collecting of the specie, and the use of pesticides near their hammocks to get rid of mosquitoes (Schaus

Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). The Schaus is endangered because of humans. Schaus loses acres of habitat due to residential and commercial construction (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008).

The clearing of these dry forests for urban, commercial and agricultural use is causing the Schaus

Swallowtail Butterfly to decrease in population (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). The

Schaus’ habitat has areas where its habitat isn’t fully harmed. However, in these areas the habitat is being slightly altered. This continues to affect the lives of these butterflies. There have been slight alterations to the habitat, such as the addition of dirt roads and trails through the middle of the hammock to create an easier access for collectors to enter the habitat and catch the butterflies when they are flying low in the pathway (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). There has also been the use of commercial pesticides, which has shown yet another reason why the population of the Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly is declining (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). In

Monroe County, Florida, they currently have a mosquito program which helps to eliminate mosquito populations (Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, 2008). There’s been talk about outlawing the use of pesticides in the Florida Keys where the Schaus’ habitat is most vulnerable. However, spraying of pesticides has not stopped as pesticides being used are toxic to not only the Schaus

Swallowtail, but it’s relative the Giant Swallowtail as well.

There needs to be a stop to these actions before all the Schaus Swallowtails are gone. There are natural effects that cause the Schaus Swallowtail to be endangered, but the unnatural, human, effects that are causing this endangerment should be fixed. The Schaus Swallowtail is a key indicator of ecological quality of its habitat (Olson, J; Alvear, E; Warren, K; 2012). Since there’s so few left in Florida, there should be a big red flag up. Something is wrong and something needs to be done!

2. From a socioeconomic perspective, why should your animal be saved? Do and in-depth cost-benefit analysis of saving your species.

People will ask, is it worth the money to save the few Schaus Swallowtails left on this planet? Is it worth spending our money on the Schaus Swallowtail rather than another specie?

Some people would say it is a waste. Some would also say the Schaus brings no economic value, especially for being such a small part of our planet. It’s important to realize, if you want to save a species, you must save its habitat. The Schaus Swallowtail lives in Southern Florida in subtropical dry forests among hardwood hammocks. Keeping and preserving these habitats and preventing them from being destroyed for agriculture and urban use will help all the species that currently live there and the economy as well (Karim, A; Main, M; 2004). Since tourism is number one industry for Florida, people from all around come to see the wildlife. In 1994,

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection reported that birdwatchers had accounted for

$447 million in retail sales alone. This then sparked and created 13,880 new jobs that were related to bird watching (Karim, A; Main, M; 2004). This had all caused a great impact in the economy of Florida by $897 million. Later in 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife had reported that visitors and residents spent more than $1.5 billion on activities that were associated with wildlife viewing (Karim, A; Main, M; 2004). Saving not only the species but also the habitat it lives in, making them very beneficial to the economy. It creates more jobs, brings in tourists and helps to improve the economy by bringing in money. By allowing this species to exist longer, it gives people to opportunity to experience the Schaus Swallowtail in its natural habitat and its natural beauty. The Schaus Swallowtail is also a pollinator, which is important for the habitat it lives in. Schaus are also very important in the food chain, especially when they are larvae (Olson, J;

Alvear, E; Warren, K; 2012).

3. What is being done to protect your species? Have these actions/laws been effective? (Discuss laws, governmental agencies and actions, NGO efforts)

The Schaus Swallowtail is in desperate need of help. It was listed under the Endangered

Species Act (ESA) as threatened in 1976, but later in 1984 it was listed under the same act as endangered (Gary Bremen, 2009). It was one of the first two invertebrates to be given legal protection under the ESA (Leo, Sharpiro). The Schaus Swallowtail’s population is decreasing due to habitat destruction, droughts, illegal collection and pesticide use (Gary Bremen, 2009). Each year surveys have been taken about the population of the Schaus Swallowtail. In 2011, there were 41 individuals counted. Among the 41 individuals, 35 of them were in the Biscayne

National Park and the other six were found in the north of Key Largo, Florida (Gary Bremen,

2009). However, in 2012 the population of the Schaus Swallowtail had drastically plummeted down to five butterflies (Olson, J; Alvear, E; Warren, K; 2012). Unfortunately, only three of the five have been confirmed and one of the three was a female (Olson, J; Alvear, E; Warren, K;

2012). The ESA is currently trying to help repopulate the Schaus Butterfly. This law also prevents direct harm to the species, however does little to actually enforce this (Fred Krupp,

2004).

An organization that is also trying to help save the population of the Schaus Swallowtail is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). They have issued out an emergency authorization in order to help restore and populate the butterfly once again. In this emergency authorization, it allows the University of Florida to catch up to four female butterflies. Once they are caught they are put into a mesh cage in their natural habitat. They are waiting for the female to naturally lay her eggs, which will then be removed daily. When four days have passed, they will release the butterfly and do the process again. This will help to stabilize the population of Schaus

Swallowtail butterflies.

Another organization that is helping with the protection of the Schaus Swallowtail is the

National Park Service. In southern Florida, there is a national park called Biscayne National

Park. Here at the national park they areas that are protected to help keep not just the Schaus

Swallowtail from becoming extinct, but also many other endangered and threatened species.

Most of the species in Biscayne are associated with the ocean or shoreline habitats (National

Park Service, 2012). At the national park they are trying to keep the population of the Schaus Swallowtail from declining anymore than it already has. If there is a decline that is severe, then they will release emergency actions that will be taken to keep this butterfly from disappearing.

The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) helps all butterflies, and targets their energy to keep them alive (North American Butterfly Association, 2012). The NABA is a non- profit organization that helping to inform the public about the enjoyment of butterflies, but also conservation of butterflies. This organization has been working towards saving various butterfly species, one of them being the Schaus Swallowtail (North American Butterfly Association,

2012). They have been given grants, which have been targeted towards the conservation of the

Schaus. The NABA also works towards educating the public about the beauty of butterflies, and educating people on how to protect them, identify them, and create gardens that butterflies will enjoy (North American Butterfly Association, 2012). Connected through the NABA is the Miami

Blue Chapter. The Miami Blue Chapter works towards protecting butterfly species just like the

Having laws and organizations are important when trying to save and repopulate a species.

The ESA, US Fish and Wildlife, Biscayne National Park, the NABA and the Miami Blue

Chapter are all great laws and organizations that should be promoted more. These laws and organizations are working towards the same goal, trying to save the threatened and endangered species and their habitats. By siding these organizations you are saying yes to save these innocent species. We can’t preserve a species or a habitat separately, they must be done together.

4. What can your web-page reader do to protect your species?

There is never too much help that can be done when protecting a species that threatened or endangered. The best way to help is to get involved. Petitioning to protect dry forests in Florida where the Schaus Swallowtail live can achieve more protection for the species and give it a longer chance of being around. Also petitioning against the use of pesticides in the forests where the Schaus Swallowtail live can greatly help its population to thrive. Also supporting and/or joining organizations and non-profits that work towards protecting the Schaus Swallowtail population. Some organizations that help the Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly are the North

American Butterfly Association. This organization works towards educating the public about butterflies and helping with the conservation. It focuses on educating people about butterflies and revealing their natural beauty. You can help by going to http://www.naba.org/ and clicking donate on the left side bar. All donations will go towards saving the butterfly populations that are in need of help and are at risk because they are either threatened or endangered.

Another organization that works to help the Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly is the National

Park Service. They have multiple ways that you can get involved and lend a hand to not only the

Schaus Swallowtail but other threatened or endangered species also. The National Park Service allows you to volunteer, join, give feedback, donate, work with them, be a partner, and you’re your community. By given so many options it opens up doors to anyone who wants to help in the ways they can to these soon to be extinct species. You can visit http://www.nps.gov/index.htm and click the “get involved” button or visit http://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/index.htm. Help out the species that were once dominant and now threatened or endangered, because once they are gone, they are gone forever!