Free Essay

Facts About Endangered Species

In:

Submitted By alexandraioana
Words 375
Pages 2
1. An endangered species is one whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction. 2. A threatened species is one that is vulnerable of becoming endangered in the near future. 3. In January 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Services reported 2,054 species worldwide that are endangered or threatened. 1,436 exist in the U.S. alone. 4. A species is declared extinct after many years of not being spotted. Because it takes so long to define an entire species as extinct, it is probable that there are many species already gone that we are unaware of. 5. A species is defined as endangered or threatened when it is compared against these five factors: * Damage to or destruction of its habitat * Overuse of the species for educational, recreational, or entertainment purposes * Disease or predation of the species * Lack of protection * Natural or manmade hazards to the continued life of the species 6. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) protects registered endangered species by removing them from the “take” list, which makes it unlawful for a person to shoot, harm, capture, trap, or attempt any such actions to the species. 7. Ultimately, the ESA strives to recover species from the endangered list by restoring their ecological health until they no longer need protection. 8. Factors that threaten the earth’s creatures include deforestation, bycatch (the unintentional capturing of sea creatures during fishing), water scarcity, erosion, pollution, climate change, pirate fishing, overfishing, oil and gas development, infrastructure, and illegal wildlife trade. 9. The World Wildlife Organization focuses on saving certain species that help sustain other species. They protect wildlife such as pandas, whales, rhinos, marine turtles, primates, polar bears, and big cats. 10. As estimated 50 percent of all endangered species live in the rainforest. The planet’s largest rainforest –The Amazon – lost more than 17 percent of its forest cover in the last century due to human activity. 11. Freshwater ecosystems are home to more than 100,000 known species of plants and animals, and are now one of the most endangered habitats in the world as a result of human development, pollution, and climate change.

Assignment: Choose one of these 11 issues and discuss it in pairs orally with your colleague.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

The Purple Line

...that an endangered species is currently living in the Rock Creek Park, which will be affected by this new metro line. The main issue is that you can’t do any work or construction that can harm the endangered species that has been officially listed. This issue can cause a major delay in the additional metro line and can sway the client’s decision of opening a new lot in that location if it won’t be possible to build the metro line any longer. Another issue is determining if that endangered species is still living in the Rock Creek Park because if not, they will be taken off the endangered species list and the metro line will then be in progress. There has to be evidence to prove that the endangered species is no longer there in order for them to continue with this project and the client purchasing a nearby lot for business. Facts To start, the Hay’s Spring Amphipod has been federally listed on the protected endangered species list since 1982. This endangered species has a way of signaling that the water is good quality and if destroyed then that won’t happen. The Hay’s Spring Amphipod has only been located in the Rock Creek Park on this earth. However, it has been stated that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources didn’t mention any endangered species along the Purple Line’s proposed 16-mile route between Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. There was also a letter written in February 2010 informing that the DNR had no records on file of any rare, endangered species...

Words: 697 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Endangered Species Act

...Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act is a federal law that protects endangered species and threatened species from becoming extinct (dying out).Some individuals may think the Endangered Species Act would not make a difference to today's current society. Should the Endangered Species Act still exists after 10 years ? Generally speaking, the endangered Species Act should still exists because it’s gonna have a huge impact later on for our future generations. One main reason for the endangerment of certain species is because of poachers. The main things poachers are mainly know for is hunting illegally and selling animals parts that are illegal to hunt. Poachers have also killed aproxximentky...

Words: 535 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

General over View on Endangered Species

...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...

Words: 1592 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Endangered Species Act of 1973

...The Endangered Species Act The second half of the twentieth century was a time of the greatest advancements in environmental awareness in history. It was during this time that people began to realize there impact on the environment. People began to realize that something must be done to stop the negative impacts on their surroundings which caused the environmental movement to be born. One of the most important factors that resulted from this has been the protection of endangered species. Many actions have been taken to ensure the protection of endangered species including two major policies: CITES and the Endangered Species Act.   In 1966, Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act, this provided limited protection to a list of native animal species. The Departments of Agriculture, Interior and Defense were responsible for the protection of these species and the preservation of their habitats. This act also gave land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help maintain these natural habitats. The Endangered species act was amended in 1969 because more protection was needed. With the threat of worldwide extinction, the amendment called for an international meeting and changed the name to the Endangered Species Conservation Act. Several years later, in 1973, the United States and twenty-three other nations signed an international act called CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna. CITES monitors...

Words: 1724 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Rubber Toothed Tiger Research Paper

...probably thinking, “Wait. Are pandas extinct now? What happened to them?” But, no. They are not extinct. They are near extinct though. They are what you call an endangered species. There are many animals that are endangered and some are kept in zoos or sanctuaries and other rome where they are supposed to be naturally. In my opinion, I believe that endangered species should be kept in the wild. I believe this because: they live longer in the wild, there is a very large price, and it is their natural habitat. My opinion, as you have already read, is that endangered species should be kept in the wild other than in a sanctuary or zoo. I have multiple reasons for believing this but I would like to start off with the fact that endangered species lifespans are longer in the wild than they are in a sanctuary. For example, the Giant Panda lives up to 38 years in the wild, but only around 30 in a zoo or sanctuary. Also, the Amur Leopard, at a population of around 257...

Words: 441 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Animals for Rent

...rental books or DVDs (Animal Aid, 2007). This unsafe and exploitative practice has gradually weakened animal rights and rips deeply into human morality and conscience. It is often the case that the people involve in this practice, this so-called exotic pet markets, give no regards to the survival of these animals, which are often on the endangered list. According to Richard Farinato (in The Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org), wild and exotic animals are favorable vectors for diseases and parasites, often the outbreak of diseases cause the death of a mass of animals. If this situation is continue without any resolution, these animals might become extinct. Because there are no concerns to the needs of the animals, the livelihood will decrease rapidly, and eventually they might not be able to live on Earth. Recently the Indonesian government came up with a plan – rent out the tigers so as to raise fund to save Sumatran Tigers. Many doubt that whether the government is really saving the tigers or are just taking benefit from them. It was reported in the website, MSNBC that a deposit of one billion rupiah which is about $107,000 USD will be charged to rent a pair of tiger...

Words: 1960 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Ridgway's Rails Argumentative Essay

...Discussion The Ridgway’s Rails, as discussed previously, are a highly endangered species living in saltwater marshes and mangrove swamps in the Bay Area. They are especially important to the tidal marsh ecosystem as they are an indicator of tidal wetland health. If they were to go extinct in Bay Area’s marshes, such as the marshes in the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, naturalists will not be able to tell whether the marsh is healthy or not. (“Clapper Rail”). Without knowing this, the marsh cannot be observed and cared for, resulting in habitat degradation for the Rails and many other endangered species. This infers that the extinction of this one important specie can eventually result in the decline of an entire...

Words: 1820 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Florida Panther Research Paper

...concolor coryi, also known as the Florida Panther has been endangered for many years. The Florida Panther is a light brown and gray subspecies of the cougar. The Florida Panthers are carnivores, meaning they only eat meat. The main threat to the panthers is humans. Today, there are only about 180 panther living in Florida. The Florida Panther was almost extinct before being classified as endangered, due to the hunting of panther during the 1950s. It was not until 1967, when “the U.S. Department of the Interior listed the Florida Panther as endangered” (Williams 1). However, that was not enough to protect the Florida Panthers, or any endangered species, until Congress finally passed the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which allowed for the conservation of endangered species (Williams 1)....

Words: 658 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Essay On Endangered Species

...INTRODUCTION About 150-200 years ago, anthropogenic era begun just when 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...

Words: 1391 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Can Endangered Species of the World Rely on the International Law for Their Safety? Discuss

...Can endangered species of the world rely on the international law for their safety? Discuss This essay will attempt to discuss how the international law protects endangered species of the world. Using academic commentary and legislation it will also review the ethical, philosophical, economical and moral aspects of this area of law. The essay will also draw attention to the current issue, which has been a controversy in the preservation of endangered species of the world, but will particularly pay more attention to the protection of whales. Ever since the days of illustrious philosophers such Plato, Aristotle, Descartes to the modern scientists there has been a lengthy wait in fighting for laws and acts to protect animals in keeping them in good health and their populations high in numbers. Long ago, most animals became extinct because of natural events, like earthquakes or volcano eruptions. Climatic changes were also a threat i.e. like the ‘beginning of the Ice Age which also led to the disappearance of certain species’ . Today, animals are in danger mostly because of human beings. In the 17th century Descartes and Plato both portraying animals as mere objects, held that ‘animals have no conscience and humans should have no moral obligation’ towards them. However, through the advancement of technology and science Charles Darwin came up with his theory of evolution, bringing new developments and protection to endangered species, with his effort in his work there...

Words: 2564 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Jungle World

...wouldn’t have ever went there, I am glad that I went because I saw a lot of interesting displays and learned a lot about animals that I have never really known about. My favorite display is the Rainforest display. The display was so real feeling. I saw animals such as ebony and silvered langurs, as well as tree kangaroos, fruit bats, black leopards, tropical birds, toads, and snakes. Jungle World had real plants and full grown trees and flowing water falls, and the only light source came from natural sun light that comes through windows in the ceiling. I learned that Jungle world contains about 90% of all the world’s species of plants and animals live there, but only about half are known to science. The sounds were incredible. The animals made the jungle sound so cheerful and alive. The Jungle was incredible. It was truly amazing to see all of the different animals, and how they all lived in close quarters and kept it alive. When I heard the gibbons singing that was beautiful, I saw how nature alone can make beautiful melodies and duets and flood the jungle with peace and serenity. Display: Description of the Asian Rainforest The Asian Rainforest display was the display that stuck out to me the most. I love the tropics and all of the exotic animals. The sights, sounds and steam all make for an original and authentic experience. 90% of the world’s species of plants and animals come from the tropics and they are well represented here. Some animals that make their...

Words: 781 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Leontopithecus Chrysomelas

...Leontopithecus chrysomelas The Golden- headed lion The Leontopithecus chrysomelas species is listed on the Red List as an Endangered species A2c,due to an estimated reduction of greater than 50% in the last three generations (21) years. The high rate of forest loss or habitat destruction of the Atlantic forests has the Remaining populations highly fragmented. Threats to the population include illegal logging, poaching, mining, infrastructure development and urbanization. They were first listed as endangered in 1982, moving up to critically endangered in 1996, then back to endangered by 2003. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) who are dedicated to finding solutions to our most environment and development challenges; warns that extreme deforistization is causing habitat fragmentation. This is leaving no chances of expansion for the population therefore if something is not done this will lead to the extinction of the species. The IUCN’s has a mission to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the biodiversity and integrity of nature and, to make sure that the natural resources of the world are equitable and ecologically sustained. One of the solutions to the problem would be to support the Guaraquecaba Climate Action Project - Reforestation and Forest Enhancement. The Sociedada de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educaao Ambient (SPVS), is a Brazilian conservation organization...

Words: 1485 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Ilab 2 – Week 2 – Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Species

...January 18, 2014 iLab 2 – Week 2 – Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Species Introduction This Lab covers ecosystems, food webs, and the transfer of energy between species. In includes a review of biomes and ecosystems along with the operation of food chains and food webs, looking specifically at how energy is transmitted through the food web as part of the biomass pyramid. 1. Discuss the producer, consumer and decomposer relationships in the Mount St. Helens ecosystem post eruption. a. Producer Relationships – the producer relationships suffered immediate damage in the immediate vicinity of the blast although for about 5 more years the effects spread to a much larger area due to the ash blanked deposited via prevailing winds. In year 9 there began to be notable recovery, in areas furthest from the blast, of producers (vegetation) which peaked in 2010. Even recently additional recovery is being shown in the most damaged areas as well through natural seeding and interaction with consumers. b. Consumer Relationships – Insects, as expected were some of the first to return. Interestingly enough small mammals actually were able to stay in the vicinity in many cases even in the harsh conditions. The large animals were wiped out however and have had to return slowly over time from the surrounding areas. It is important to not this was not a linier return to pre eruption populations rather the species went through several “boom and bust” cycles due to support producer...

Words: 1249 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Northern Spotted Owl Habitat vs. Logging Interests in the Pacific Northwest

...States, where they live in old forest growths. (The Defenders of Wild Life). They will not tolerate habitat “disturbance” and are very protective of their territory in which they live, and hunt. Owls prefer tall trees with broken tops where they can fly under and past these broken tops, where they like to nest and raise their young. The Northern spotted owl is a protected species. Due to extensive logging, the owls and their habitat is swiftly declining at an alarming rate; they were added to the endangered species list in the early “1990s” (The Defenders of Wildlife). Unfortunately, the habitat they prefer is a direct target for the logging industry the cutting of trees in their habitat, conversion of land, wind storms, and wildfires have decreased their numbers“( example: 100 pair in British Columbia, 1200 pair in Oregon, 560 pair in Northern California, and 500 pair in the state of Washington),” Scientists from The National Wild Life Federation studied this, to see if any changes had been made, for 5 years and come to the conclusion that the birds should remain on the endangered list. (The U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service). It has been estimated, that the habitat for these owls has been reduced by “60% in the last 190 years, showing a drop in...

Words: 584 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Business

...I Believe Essay Expressing my creativity gives me a feeling of being alive and beautiful. Growing up I had a passion for fashion. I use to write stories about Tiny. As I got older, I started to write more realistic articles about fashion and I’d interview people about fashion. The creativity got stronger in my art collects and my ideas about fashion got stronger. I believe expressing my creativity is great way for me to show my genius creations. In 2007 when I was in third grade the art teacher, Mrs.Rother, had entered us in a contest about endangered species. The Endangered Species contest consisted of all of us drawing a postcard about an endangered species like an animal or a plant. I think there were four winners out of this. I remembered Mrs. Rother explained to us about this contest, it had an individual drawn picture on a postcard of an endangered species. Right of the bat I cried because I hated drawing. I put a lot of pressure on myself, I really wanted to win and do a good job. One of the endangered species was a Nuttall Oak leaf. I like leafs and flowers so I decided to do this leaf. I started tracing the leaf which turned out really big and the stems were crooked. However, I erased it and started over. My idea for this leaf was to combine colors you would see on a leaf and colors you might not see on a leaf together and make the colors heavy using colored pencils. Once I got done with my leaf I waited for the results. The announcements came on for the finalists...

Words: 516 - Pages: 3