The Simplicity and Complexity of Endangerment - Essay Example

The Simpli and Complexity of Endangerment I. INTRODUCTION Endangered species is a population of plant and species that has been put at risk, with a high probability of extinction because they are already either few in number or have been threatened by a drastic change in the environment. According to a magazine report "Over 34,000 plant species and 5,200 animal species around the globe are threatened with extinction, and many thousands more become extinct each year before biologists can identify them." The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, or the IUCN, which is also most commonly known as the World Conservation Union, has done its research and concluded that around 40 percent of all organisms are already classified as endangered. Despite this quite high and alarming number, including the national laws that offer protection, only a few species actually make it to the list, allowing them to obtain legal protection. And regardless of these efforts, there are numerous species that become extinct or will eventually become extinct without the public knowing about it. For the past number of years, there has been a tremendous increase in the rate at which species have become extinct. What's actually more alarming than that is the fact that this rate increases exponentially over time. And when it continues, the stability of the entire ecosystem will be place at risk, especially when key species in the food chain will cease to exist. Today, most of the world's habitats are changing faster than most species can adapt to such changes through evolution, or natural selection. Despite endangerment being a universal concept, most people aren't really aware as to the ins and outs of this seemingly simple concept. Most important of all, everyone should be made more conscious with regard to this issue, as drastic changes will affect everyone else over time. III. CAUSES OF ENDANGERMENT Animals do not just get endangered and go into extinction. There are certain external factors involved in this issue, reasons outside of the individual species in consideration. Endangerment entails the interaction of the habitats and environments of the species. Despite conservation methods, the only way universal endangerment can be solved, if not minimized, is for people to take charge and be more active about protecting the environment where endangered species are found. The rarer an animal or plant is, the more money it can bring on the black market. Many smugglers are amateurs, such as tourists and travelers, who attempt to conceal endangered plants, reptiles, birds, and insects in their luggage. But most are seasoned professionals who use sophisticated techniques and well-organized routes to transport their illicit cargo. There are numerous causes of endangerment of certain species, but there are certain factors that are common to all species. a. Habitat Destruction The primary causes of species extinction or endangerment are habitat destruction. Such activities like plant collecting, trade in animal plants and hunting damage and caused pollution into an area, these direct habitat destruction can cause direct destruction to most species. Due to continuous changes of our planet, animals' habitats are also continuously being changed. There are certain natural changes that happen, often at a steady pace that affects individual species. But when these natural changes happen faster than they're supposed to, then these species don't have the time they need in order to adjust. For an instance, sea turtles are considered threatened because of benign tumors that put them in a serious global threat. They are appeared to have an increasing frequency on the head and internal organs of sea turtles and can literally smother the animals to death. According to Jacobson, the scientist "Sea turtle tumors are one of the few diseases in any animals that have appeared worldwide this could signal major changes in the earth's aquatic environment." As a consequence, this has become one of the most common causes of endangerment, with the strongest factor being humans. b. Exotic Species Exotic doesn't necessarily mean weird or abnormal, but for most people, the term in itself gives off a different connotation. Plants and animals within a certain area that have been in the location for a long period have had the chance to adapt to the environment and the presence of each and every species. When new or exotic species are introduced, whether intentionally or by accident, the "locals" or the species that have been there longer treat these newcomers as foreign elements. For instance an American cactus introduced as a landscape ornament. According to Burnie, "It soon decorated millions of hectares of Australian grasslands and pastures, rendering them useless to livestock and wildlife alike." Initially, they may not be the source of any problems yet, but the presence of exotic species can disrupt the ecological balance of the environment. c. Overexploitation Any species that's being overexploited runs the risk of being endangered, even being extinct. When species are being used at a rate much faster than they can reproduce themselves, then the species run the risk of having an extremely low number. For instance in the whaling industry, in which whales are slaughtered for oil and meat, for example, has led many whale species to the brink of extinction. Usually, an international moratorium is put into effect, to give the said species a chance to recover and make a comeback, which some have done successfully. d. Other Factors There are a number of other factors that cause the endangerment of species, such as disease and the different types of pollution. If the species does not have the immunity or even some sort of protection against these types of foreign matter, then they can be a grave threat and seriously affect the species. II. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY Such indicates the chances of survival of an endangered species. The remaining number of species isn't the only factor to be considered, but also causes such as the overall changes in the population, breeding success rates, and known threats in the environment. Endangered species like dodo and the passenger pigeon wherein last remaining members of the species have died due to over hunting and habitat destruction. In Africa, Elephant populations were put on extinction due to poachers who kill elephants for their ivory tusks. An international ban on ivory trade, instituted in 1989 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has diminished the illicit ivory trade and reduced the killing of elephants It enforces the prohibition of trading of threatened plants and animals between countries. According to the report "Over 120 countries support the ban." Wildlife Preservation Trust in 1963 on the island of Jersey off the French coast. "The trust has successfully raised a number of exotic animal species, such as the Mauritius pink pigeon, Bali mynah, and Rodriguez fruit bat, all of which are on the brink of extinction in the wild." These programs together with other conservation of species programs have had some notable successes. For instance, the peregrine falcon, "nearly extinct in the United States due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT, rebounded strongly after DDT was banned in 1973. The brown pelican and the bald eagle offer similar success stories. The California condor, a victim of habitat destruction, was bred in captivity, and small numbers of them are now being released back into the wild." Because all species have a required minimum amount of habitat in order to survive, wildlife reserves are being established in order to meet this minimum for as much species as possible, so as not to endanger any species. Certain areas, like national parks, the wilderness, and other protected habitats, have been made suitable for the survival of a variety of species. However, large animals, like grizzly bears and lions, need a minimum area needed that may be larger than the protected areas. So in order to be able to provide them with the area that they need, a larger protected area must be developed, which can be in the form of interconnecting separate reserves. IV. PRESERVATION EFFORTS There are a number of private and government organizations that have been called up in order to help with saving these endangered species, especially through legislation or animal protection laws, one of the most immediate forms of protection. In order to be able to protect and preserve the different species, and consequently promote the study and restoration of endangered species, the World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC) have a list of endangered species and animals that are in danger globally, which is also known as the Red List. Endangered Species Act aims to "discourage the exploitation of endangered species in other countries by banning the importation and trade of any products, such as elephant-tusk ivory, obtained from such species". Captive breeding is one of the preservation efforts employed to save endangered species, especially those that are extremely endangered, in order to be released in the wild later on, in the hopes of restoring the population. However, such efforts, including cloning programs, are considered to be the last course of action because they may actually impair the ability of the endangered species to survive in the wild. With the difficulty of reintroducing captive-bred species comes another consequence of these animals having a higher probability of carrying diseases that could be transferred to the wild. Certain preservation programs can also be costly, and in actually are just short-term that can divide resources, instead of putting all the efforts into finding solutions to the main cause or causes of the endangerment of animal and plant species, whether it is habitat destruction or pollution. Though it has to be noted that captive breeding has worked for certain species, like the peregrine falcon, making the difference between their survival and their extinction. VI. CONCLUSION The current problem with the extinction and endangerment of different species throughout the whole world has been one of the greatest problems of human beings in general. The preservation of endangered species and their habitats has become the primary focus of international organizations, government agencies, various industries, and even individuals all over, if we all want to preserve everything valuable in the ecosystem. Different programs are being established to conserve and preserve species in order them to continue and preserve their kinds. Successfully, campaign was done well. It is but important that every human being be made aware of the interconnecting relationships between humans and animals alike, especially because any changes in the environment, whether subtle or drastic, will most definitely affect the entire ecosystem, either in the near or distant future. REFERENCES Causes of Endangerment. 2002. Endangered Species. 6 April 2007 . Endangered Species. 2007. Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 6 April 2007 . Endangered Species. 3 April 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 6 April 2007 . The World Conservation Union. 15 March 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 6 April 2007 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Conservation_Union>. Read More