Causes
of Endangerment
Habitat Destruction
Introduction of Exotic Species
Overexploitation
More Factors
When discussing the causes of endangerment, it is important to
understand that individual species are not the only factors involved
in this dilemma. Endangerment is a broad issue, one that involves the
habitats and environments where species live and interact with one
another. Although some measures are being taken to help specific cases
of endangerment, the universal problem cannot be solved until humans
protect the natural environments where endangered species dwell.
There are many reasons why a particular species may become
endangered. Although these factors can be analyzed and grouped, there
are many causes that appear repeatedly. Below are several factors
leading to endangerment:
Habitat Destruction
Our planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered
and modified. Natural changes tend to occur at a gradual pace, usually
causing only a slight impact on individual species. However, when
changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no time for
individual species to react and adjust to new circumstances. This can
create disastrous results, and for this reason, rapid habitat loss is
the primary cause of species endangerment. The strongest forces in
rapid habitat loss are human beings. Nearly every region of the earth
has been affected by human activity, particularly during this past
century. The loss of microbes in soils that formerly supported
tropical forests, the extinction of fish and various aquatic species
in polluted habitats, and changes in global climate brought about by
the release of greenhouse gases are all results of human activity.
It can be difficult for an individual to recognize the effects that
humans have had on specific species. It is hard to identify or predict
human effects on individual species and habitats, especially during a
human lifetime. But it is quite apparent that human activity has
greatly contributed to species endangerment. For example, although
tropical forests may look as though they are lush, they are actually
highly susceptible to destruction. This is because the soils in which
they grow are lacking in nutrients. It may take Centuries to re-grow a
forest that was cut down by humans or destroyed by fire, and many of
the world's severely threatened animals and plants live in these
forests. If the current rate of forest loss continues, huge quantities
of plant and animal species will disappear.
Introduction of Exotic Species
Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a
specific geographic area, and have ordinarily been a part of that
particular biological landscape for a lengthy period of time. They are
well adapted to their local environment and are accustomed to the
presence of other native species within the same general habitat.
Exotic species, however, are interlopers. These species are introduced
into new environments by way of human activities, either intentionally
or accidentally. These interlopers are viewed by the native species as
foreign elements. They may cause no obvious problems and may eventual
be considered as natural as any native species in the habitat.
However, exotic species may also seriously disrupt delicate ecological
balances and may produce a plethora of unintended yet harmful
consequences.
The worst of these unintended yet harmful consequences arise when
introduced exotic species put native species in jeopardy by preying on
them. This can alter the natural habitat and can cause a greater
competition for food. Species have been biologically introduced to
environments all over the world, and the most destructive effects have
occurred on islands. Introduced insects, rats, pigs, cats, and other
foreign species have actually caused the endangerment and extinction
of hundreds of species during the past five centuries. Exotic species
are certainly a factor leading to endangerment.
Overexploitation
A species that faces overexploitation is one that may become
severely endangered or even extinct due to the rate in which the
species is being used. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th
century is an example of overexploitation, and the whaling industry
brought many species of whales to extremely low population sizes. When
several whale species were nearly extinct, a number of nations
(including the United States) agreed to abide by an international
moratorium on whaling. Due to this moratorium, some whale species,
such as the grey whale, have made remarkable comebacks, while others
remain threatened or endangered.
Due to the trade in animal parts, many species continue to suffer
high rates of exploitation. Even today, there are demands for items
such as rhino horns and tiger bones in several areas of Asia. It is
here that there exists a strong market for traditional medicines made
from these animal parts.
More Factors
Disease, pollution, and limited distribution are more factors that
threaten various plant and animal species. If a species does not have
the natural genetic protection against particular pathogens, an
introduced disease can have severe effects on that specie. For
example, rabies and canine distemper viruses are presently destroying
carnivore populations in East Africa. Domestic animals often transmit
the diseases that affect wild populations, demonstrating again how
human activities lie at the root of most causes of endangerment.
Pollution has seriously affected multiple terrestrial and aquatic
species, and limited distributions are frequently a consequence of
other threats; populations confined to few small areas due to of
habitat loss, for example, may be disastrously affected by random
factors.
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