Extinctions 1,000 x faster than before humans

[rustled]

Here in the Okanagan we have sadly destroyed much of the natural habitat thanks to urban sprawl 'n shiite, but have we seen a reduction in species? We have not.

The Okanagan is not only noted for the diversity and uniqueness of its plant and animal species, it is also the region with the most endangered, threatened and rare species in the province. The South Okanagan is home to 30 percent of BC's Red-listed wildlife species, and 46 percent of the province's Blue-listed species.

Missing from the South Okanagan!!

Six vertebrate species that once lived in the South Okanagan - the Pigmy Short-horned Lizard, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Burrowing Owl, Northern Leopard Frog, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Sage Grouse - have disappeared from the region.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/okanagan/esd/atlas/atrisk.html

They're only endangered in Canada, because an itsy bitsy portion of the Great Basin Desert extends an itsy bitsy way into Canada. These species exist in healthy numbers in an ecosystem that extends south into California.

For example, take a look at the range of the white-tailed jackrabbit here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_jackrabbit
A portion of that Wikipedia entry (I know, they're not the best source, but they are the most accessible, and this bit is well-sourced):

The white-tailed jackrabbit is assessed as being of "Least Concern" by the IUCN in its Red List of Threatened Species. This is because this hare has an extensive range and is fairly common across most of this range. The population size may be declining slightly but not at a rate that would justify listing this hare in a more threatened category.[2]

This certainly does not mean we should trample what's left of their environment. But while we focus our attention on several species which are not actually threatened nor endangered, simply because only a few of them live here in Canada, are we ignoring other species and habitats which really do need our help?

[rustled]

Lots of new invasive species have been added though, so no net loss. But like I said, if we don't do more to protect the natural habitat from orchards and city sprawl, we will see a reduction in species.

I think it's the vineyards that are taking over most of the endangered habitat. Still, this is habitat that extends for hundreds of miles to the south, and at least the vineyards help keep some of the land available for agriculture.