...the industrial revolution began producing carbon dioxide and methane at rates sufficient to change their compositions in the atmosphere (Ruddiman, 2003). This increase in greenhouse gases resulted in slow natural loss of terrestrial biomass. Historical research has indicated that human activities play a role in the extinction of numerous large animal species (Roberts et al., 2001). In 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list was formed for global conservation status of biological species. The species are classified into 9 groups based on rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution and degree of population and distribution fragmentation (IUCN, 2017a). This is a valuable list which specifies the global conservation status of plants and animals. One of the 9 classification groups is endangered. Endangered species are defined as species that are facing threats which might lead to extinction in a short time (Botkin & Keller, 2011). As human alterations on earth are becoming substantial and forever growing, habitats of species become altered and destroyed. The disappearance of species leads to loss of ecosystem...
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...animals will be in pictures and zoos, since we humans are now causing the greatest mass extinction of species since the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. In the last two centuries alone the Earth has witnessed world-wide accelerated rates of animal extinction and endangerment, which has taken place alongside industrial progress and rapid human population growth (“Animal Extinction”). So just what is an endangered animal and why should we care? A broad definition is an endangered animal is a species that is threatened with extinction. The extinction of a species is a catastrophic event that impacts the whole planet and its inhabitants including humans, as all life on Earth is interconnected. Therefore, humans should attempt to conserve the natural habitats of the Earth and in turn the animals that live in them. However, that is not the reality, for humans are one of the main causes of animal extinction and endangerment. As Julia Marton-Lefevre, IUCN's Director General said, “hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions”(in Goodman). In the entire Earth’s history there has only been five great mass extinctions, we are now in the midst of the sixth great mass extinction, driven by human demand for natural resources and the wildlife trade, in addition to other detrimental human actions. Southeast Asia is one of the regions in which numerous species are going extinct, so Southeast Asian governments should be more concerned with the immediate threat...
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...Most things humans do affect marine life especially sea turtles. Sea turtles, just like any other fish can get affected by oil spills.What humans do that affect the lithosphere effects the marine life, as in sea turtles. Sally Murphy, a marine biologist ,“for two decades, has worked harder to save turtles off of the Atlantic Coast from the largest human mortality ever” (Safina 73). Marine Biologist and others are trying to help sea turtles survive. In Economic Associations Among Causes of Species Endangerment in the United States it says;“When a species is endangered it could be from humans hunting or fishing that species which kills them” (Czech). Humans can purposely fish sea turtles or it just happens by true accidents, this hurts sea turtles extremely. Humans have created solutions for this type of problem. The endangerment of sea turtles is a very serious thing. Scientists are doing everything they can to help keep the sea turtles...
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...one hundred and twenty thousand non-native species have invaded countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and have caused huge economic loss in agriculture and forestry (Pimentel, 2001). Meaning that because of the invasion of non-native species, native species had a decline and this had contributed as a factor in survival. Another factor being that in the past, cats and pigs have been responsible for causing an extinction in various animal species (Pimentel, 2001). Natural growth in the wild has many different variables and simulating a natural climate and growth in a short experiment would be quite difficult. Human impacts also change the survival rate of species, and many other variables are included with this change in environment that differs from natural causes. Dead sea turtles have been found in Brazil where the cause of death was because of plastic bag debris and other fishing activities, human caused affects (Bugonia, 2001). Before human impacts, bird species had one extinction per every one million species each year, and after human impacts were caused, the rate increased to twenty-six extinctions per one million species each year (Pimm, 2006). Simulating human impacts in an experiment of short duration can also be difficult, but something needs to be done in order to save currently living species. When an organism can survive for a long duration of time though, this is a good sign that the species can live in the new and changing environment...
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...you may have realized that this is a problem that we are starting to see and face today. Many times animals become extinct causing changes to the scientific life cycle, environment, scenic sights, food sources and many others. This has a drastic affect not only one our habitat and environment but can and will also affect us as humans. We as people can prevent and preserve this beauty for future generations all we have to do is understand the problem and take action. We need to educate ourselves and our children of the importance of animals and how to protect them. We need to understand what happens when we introduce an exotic species to an area, about pollution, habitat destruction, over using animals, poaching, the punishment for poaching, and how we can help prevent all of this. Every day we are rapidly losing many different plant and animal species. With this rapid decrease of these animals and plants we start to lose the beautiful sights that we grew up with, taking away those potential...
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...Water, Population and Communities (2009) asserts that Australia has 143 endangered animals, several of them are rare and only found in this part of the world. There is a serious concern about this endangerment because a number of these animals could be at a high risk to become extinct. It could cause loss of biodiversity, misbalance in food chains, and irreversible changes to environment. As long as some suggest that this issue could be a natural process, there are many who maintain that human impact is more responsible for increasing the number of endangered animals. There are many convincing arguments that the human impact has intensified the endangerment of animals. First of all, the introduction of invasive and feral animals produces harmful consequences in native species due to predation, rivalry for food and shelter, and transmission of diseases (The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011). The endemic Numbat have been hunted and killed by red foxes brought from Europe, as a result Numbat population is reduced significantly. Nowadays, they are found only in South Western Australia. Furthermore, the habitat destruction has increased the rate of endangerment. It can occur because of reduction in the space availability for native species. Changes in the original habitat especially by agricultural practices and logging are held responsible for this destruction (Sydenham &Thomas 2002). For example, the living space of Lead Beaters...
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...The idea of saving endangered species of animals is discussed time and time again in the media and environmental politics. There are countless organizations that work to protect certain species from going extinct. Except perhaps by extremists on online forums, the general population of Earth tends to agree that there are species of animals worth saving from extinction. The topic is virtually indisputable. However, what may be debatable is the reasoning behind the environmental cause. On many organizations’ websites, their reasons stated for attempting to save endangered species include medicinal, research, and economical benefits. While these are incredibly important, these justifiers are also taking the animal away from the issue. The issue now is about humans and how we suffer from a species dying out, when the foundation of the matter should be the wellbeing of the animals and the ecosystems to which they belong and contribute. The idea of human responsibility is the understanding of obligation a human should feel toward a cause or situation, recognizing the impact humans as a whole have had on the issue. In terms of animal extinction, human responsibility is present in the consciousness that the issue stems from destruction by humans. Therefore, humans are responsible for repairing the damage and protecting the victims. It is understandable to mention the human benefits of protecting biodiversity in attempt to appeal to a wider public and get a bigger reaction. Humans...
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...Although the Endangered Species Act (ESA) at first glance seems to offer only benefits, it has been a topic of heated controversy since it was passed in 1973. The Act was created in response to the increasing awareness of animal endangerment and extinction, particularly those of the iconic American bison and passenger pigeon. When President Nixon signed the law he declared, “Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), endangerment is the second most serious status and indicates a “very high risk of extinction in the wild.”...
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...Polar Bears: WWF Polar bears are classified as marine animals because they spend most of their life on the ice from the Arctic Ocean. Their bodies are structured with layers of fat along with water resistant fur to stay warm in such cold, wet conditions. They spend about 50% of their time hunting for seals, which most of their diet consists of. Recently, the polar bear population has significantly declined due to climate change. Because of oil spills, the warming of the atmosphere and illegal hunting of the species, polar bears are now listed as an endangered species. The Worldwide Wildlife Fund is making efforts to increase polar bear population by decreasing human pollution, preventing conflict between humans and polar bears, and...
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...Endangered Species Our planet earth has produced many wonderful and bewildering things. Our planet was once lush of vegetation, plants and amazing animals. There are numerous plants and animals that are now extinct, either due to natural selection, climate change, or urbanization. Knowing this, we should not take advantage of what earth has to offer, this includes animals that are now endangered species. According to Richard T. Wright, “endangered species is a species that has been reduced to the point where it is in imminent danger of becoming extinct if protection is not provided (page 254). Although some animals may seem unimportant to most, many of these animals are what help keep the earth’s ecosystem in equilibrium. There is much controversy on endangered species and the devastation of their habitats. Before someone establishes their own opinion on the subject matter, it must be understood what an endangered species is and how it came to be, along with the controversy between it. Endangerment is a very broad issue that involves habitat, the surrounding environment and the interaction between other species. There are many factors that have lead to endangerment and possible extinction to earth’s animals. One of the biggest factors is habitat destruction. Habitats are constantly changing due to the earth’s constant change in climate and movement, although that is only a slight change. The biggest component to habitat destruction is the result from human activity...
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...is, ‘Why is this so important?’. Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. And meanwhile, our planet must still supply us – and all living things – with air, water, food and safe places to live. If we don't act now, climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very different world. Along with the alteration of our land and many other negative transformations, climate change comes with numerous other threatening consequences. Examples of these include endangerment of wildlife, increase of heat related diseases and illnesses, stronger storms and increased storm damage, and economic losses. Each and every one of these effects can cause numerous intense impacts to the way we live today, and as mentioned, for our descendents in the future. Gases emitted by power plants, automobiles, deforestation and other sources are warming up the planet, and contributing to rising temperatures. In fact, according to scientific records and meteorologists, the five hottest years on record have all occurred since 1997 and the 10 hottest since 1990, including the warmest years on record – 2005 and 2010. High temperatures are the primary culprit to blame for an increase in heat-related deaths and illness, rising seas, increased storm intensity, and many of the other dangerous consequences of climate...
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...ew species remain the same as their prehistoric ancestors, hence the naming of such species today as living fossils. One such species survived and thrived for millions of years, outlasting the dinosaurs and countless other species. However, due to a sudden increase in hunting and rapid urbanization in the last few decades, this species now teeters on the edge of extinction; as of 2004, the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species has labeled the Giant Chinese Salamander as a critically endangered species (IUCN). The Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias Davidianus, holds the title for world’s largest amphibian, with the average specimen measuring between four to six feet in length and weighing around sixty pounds. Unfortunately, the growing Chinese...
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...Causes of Extinct Animals Extinct means that the last individual of the species dies based on Doris Lin. Tasmanian tiger, Golden Toad, Caribbean Monk Seal and Baiji River Dolphin are the example of extinct animals. Extinction of animals is a very serious issue in our Mother Earth. There are various types of causes of extinct animals. First of all, the main cause is climate changes. Nowadays, industrial sector is the main sector in the world. During the production process, factories will release different kinds of toxic gases that cause air pollution problems and global warming. A blogger from GREENandSAVE.com mentioned that global warming is a huge reason for many species’ endangerment and ultimate extinction. Thus, according to the research done by National Geographic, iceberg in South poles and North poles starts to melt which causes 12polar bears to face extinction due to loss of habitat. Therefore, a climate change is the main cause of extinct animals. Next, habitat destruction is one of the factors that cause animal extinction. Laura Klappenbach has mentioned that habitat is destroyed and cannot continue to support the species and ecological communities. She added that it often results in the extinction of species and, as a result, the loss of biodiversity. According to World Wild Life Federation (WWF) , the natural habitat has been damaged by human activities such as deforestation. On the other hand, factories release toxic waste and chemical waste will cause water pollution...
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...Introduction: Today I will be discussing the issues involving endangered species and why it is so important to me as an individual. What are endangered species? An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. Did you know, 40 percent of all organisms are likely to become endangered or even extinct. Unbelievable. Causes of extinction: Endangerment and extinction are not random events which just occur, they do in fact have many causes. Most cases of extinction are a result of the work of humans. For example we create pollution, we chop down rainforests and create many buildings which all severely destruct animal habitats so they have nowhere to live and nothing to eat. Another huge problem is humans introducing new plants and animals on to small islands. This can result in older species being completely wiped out. In addition many people overexploit animals. For example they buy and sell rare and exotic animals for their skins such as crocodiles. Even though this is illegal in many parts of the world, people still do it. Over 5000 elephants per year are also killed for their ivory tusks which are used for jewellery and medicine in some countries. In my opinion this is very inconsiderate and selfish of us humans. Would you enjoy elephants hunting you down for your teeth or skin? Why are animals important? Why should we protect animals...
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...One of the first things that WWF is doing is educating the public. Although this is a major problem in our society many people don’t know much about it. WWF educates the public on what is going on and how important it is to help stop these problems before it’s to late. Secondly, they support strong regulation groups like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flores (CITES). By doing this they help stop illegal trade routes and help strength wildlife trade laws. Poaching is a growing problem and WWF believes that with others supporting them together we can put a end to this problem once and for all. This leads us to our next source that discusses how WWF is helping the impacts of exploration of oil and...
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