Effect- hoo

1. A plant or animal species is endangered if it is at risk of disappearing from the earth.

2. When a species disappears, it is extinct, meaning it can never come back. In fact, since a
species is not declared extinct until ears have gone b since it !as last spotted, some endangered
species ma alread be gone forever.
". #pecies !ho are at risk of becoming extinct are called $threatened.%
&. #ince 1'((, more than )(( species of plants and animals have gone extinct. *his is onl
counting the plants and animals that !e kno! of.
'. +umans have caused the extinction of numerous animals throughout histor. #ome examples
include huge birds called moas in ,alasia and giant lemurs in ,adagascar.
-. It is also thought that humans ma have caused the extinction of man large mammals like dire
!olves, giant sloths, saber-toothed cats, and mastodons.
.. *here are about 2,2.( species /both plant and animal0 that are currentl residing in 1.#.
territories.
). As of 2anuar ', 2(11, there are 1,1.( animals species !orld!ide that are endangered, half of
!hich reside in the 1nited #tates.
3. *he 1.#. 4ish and Wildlife #ervice decides !hich species in the 1nited #tates are threatened
and !hich are endangered through its 5isting 6rogram. *he revie! process starts !hen someone sends
a petition to the #ervice. *he petition asks the #ervice to see if there is evidence that the species is on
the edge of extinction. A species !ill be classified as endangered if there is enough evidence.
1(. Animals at risk of extinction are protected b the Endangered #pecies Act !hich states that
!hen a species is endangered, it is illegal to kill, harm, or take the species out of its habitat.
11. 2ust a fe! of the hundreds of animals on the endangered species list are7 African and Asian
elephants, West Indian manatees, American alligators, Western gorillas, gri88l bears, 4lorida cougars,
9aguars, tigers, black rhinos, :alifornia condors, humpback !hales, sperm !hales, green sea turtles,
Atlantic salmon, and red !olves.
Causes- sattia
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
!ur planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered
and modified. "atural changes tend to occur at a gradual pace,
usually causing only a slight impact on individual species.
#owever, when changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no
time for individual species to react and ad$ust 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. "early 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 e%tinction of fish and various a&uatic species in
polluted habitats, and changes in global climate brought about
by the release of greenhouse gases are all results of human
activity.
't can be difficult for an individual to recognize the effects that
humans have had on specific species. 't is hard to identify or
predict human effects on individual species and habitats,
especially during a human lifetime. But it is &uite apparent that
human activity has greatly contributed to species endangerment.
(or e%ample, 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.
't may take )enturies 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. 'f the current
rate of forest loss continues, huge &uantities of plant and animal
species will disappear.
Introduction of Exotic Species
"ative 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. E%otic 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.
#owever, e%otic species may also seriously disrupt delicate
ecological balances and may produce a plethora of unintended
yet harmful conse&uences.
The worst of these unintended yet harmful conse&uences arise
when introduced e%otic species put native species in $eopardy by
preying on them. This can alter the natural habitat and can cause
a greater competition for food. ,pecies have been biologically
introduced to environments all over the world, and the most
destructive effects have occurred on islands. 'ntroduced insects,
rats, pigs, cats, and other foreign species have actually caused
the endangerment and e%tinction of hundreds of species during
the past five centuries. E%otic species are certainly a factor
leading to endangerment.
Overexploitation
A species that faces overe%ploitation is one that may become
severely endangered or even e%tinct due to the rate in which the
species is being used. -nrestricted whaling during the
./
th
century is an e%ample of overe%ploitation, and the whaling
industry brought many species of whales to e%tremely low
population sizes. When several whale species were nearly
e%tinct, a number of nations 0including the -nited ,tates1 agreed
to abide by an international moratorium on whaling. 2ue to this
moratorium, some whale species, such as the grey whale, have
made remarkable comebacks, while others remain threatened or
endangered.
2ue to the trade in animal parts, many species continue to suffer
high rates of e%ploitation. Even today, there are demands for
items such as rhino horns and tiger bones in several areas of
Asia. 't is here that there e%ists a strong market for traditional
medicines made from these animal parts.
More Factors
2isease, pollution, and limited distribution are more factors that
threaten various plant and animal species. 'f a species does not
have the natural genetic protection against particular pathogens,
an introduced disease can have severe effects on that specie. (or
e%ample, rabies and canine distemper viruses are presently
destroying carnivore populations in East Africa. 2omestic
animals often transmit the diseases that affect wild populations,
demonstrating again how human activities lie at the root of most
causes of endangerment. 3ollution has seriously affected
multiple terrestrial and a&uatic species, and limited distributions
are fre&uently a conse&uence of other threats4 populations
confined to few small areas due to of habitat loss, for e%ample,
may be disastrously affected by random factors.
cham
10 Easy things you can do at home to protect
endangered species

1) Learn about endangered species in your area
Teach your friends and family about the wonderful wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live
near you. The first step to protecting endangered species is learning about how
interesting and important they are. Our natural world provides us with many
indispensable services including clean air and water, food and medicinal sources,
commercial, aesthetic and recreational benefits.
Check out our endangered species pages
or more information about endangered species, visit endangered.fws.gov
!) "isit a national wildlife refuge, park or other open space
These protected lands provide habitat to many native wildlife, birds, fish and plants.
#cientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the places
where they live. $et involved by volunteering at your local nature center or wildlife
refuge.
$o wildlife or bird watching in nearby parks. %ildlife related recreation creates millions of
&obs and supports local businesses.
To find a wildlife refuge near you, visit www.fws.gov'refuges'
To find a park near you, visit www.nps.gov
To find a (oo near you, visit www.a(a.org
)) *ake your home wildlife friendly
#ecure garbage in shelters or cans with locking lids, feed pets indoors and lock pet doors
at night to avoid attracting wild animals into your home.
+educe your use of water in your home and garden so that animals that live in or near
water can have a better chance of survival.
,isinfect bird baths often to avoid disease transmission.
-lace decals on windows to deter bird collisions. *illions of birds die every year because
of collisions with windows. .ou can help reduce the number of collisions simply by
placing decals on the windows in your home and office.
or more information on what you can do, check out these tips from the /# ish and
%ildlife #ervice.
0) -rovide habitat for wildlife by planting native vegetation in your yard
1ative plants provide food and shelter for native wildlife. 2ttracting native insects like
bees and butterflies can help pollinate your plants. The spread of non3native species has
greatly impacted native populations around the world. 4nvasive species compete with
native species for resources and habitat. They can even prey on native species directly,
forcing native species towards e5tinction.
or more information about native plants, visit http6''www.plantsocieties.org
7) *inimi(e use of herbicides and pesticides
8erbicides and pesticides may keep yards looking nice but they are in fact ha(ardous
pollutants that affect wildlife at many levels. *any herbicides and pesticides take a long
time to degrade and build up in the soils or throughout the food chain. -redators such as
hawks, owls and coyotes can be harmed if they eat poisoned animals. #ome groups of
animals such as amphibians are particularly vulnerable to these chemical pollutants and
suffer greatly as a result of the high levels of herbicides and pesticides in their habitat.
or alternatives to pesticides, visit http6''www.beyondpesticides.org
9) #low down when driving
*any animals live in developed areas and this means they must navigate a landscape
full of human ha(ards. One of the biggest obstacles to wildlife living in developed areas
is roads. +oads divide habitat and present a constant ha(ard to any animal attempting to
cross from one side to the other. #o when you:re out and about, slow down and keep an
eye out for wildlife.
;) +ecycle and buy sustainable products
<uy recycled paper, sustainable products like bamboo and orest #tewardship Council
wood products to protect forest species. 1ever buy furniture made from wood from
rainforests.
+ecycle your cell phones, because a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics is
mined in gorilla habitat.
*inimi(e your use of palm oil because forests where tigers live are being cut down to
plant palm plantations.
=) 1ever purchase products made from threatened or endangered species
Overseas trips can be e5citing and fun, and everyone wants a souvenir. <ut sometimes
the souvenirs are made from species nearing e5tinction. 2void supporting the market in
illegal wildlife including6 tortoise3shell, ivory, coral. 2lso, be careful of products including
fur from tigers, polar bears, sea otters and other endangered wildlife, crocodile skin, live
monkeys or apes, most live birds including parrots, macaws, cockatoos and finches,
some live snakes, turtles and li(ards, some orchids, cacti and cycads, medicinal products
made from rhinos, tiger or 2siatic black bear.
>) +eport any harassment or shooting of threatened and endangered species
8arassing wildlife is cruel and illegal. #hooting, trapping, or forcing a threatened or
endangered animal into captivity is also illegal and can lead to their e5tinction. ,on:t
participate in this activity, and report it as soon as you see it to your local state or federal
wildlife enforcement office.
.ou can find a list of state wildlife departments
athttp6''www.fws.gov'offices'statelinks.html
1?) -rotect wildlife habitat
-erhaps the greatest threat that faces many species is the widespread destruction of
habitat. #cientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the
special places where they live. %ildlife must have places to find food, shelter and raise
their young. Logging, oil and gas drilling, over3gra(ing and development all result habitat
destruction. @ndangered species habitat should be protected and these impacts
minimi(ed.
<y protecting habitat, entire communities of animals and plants can be protected
together. -arks, wildlife refuges, and other open space should be protected near your
community. Open space also provides us with great places to visit and en&oy. #upport
wildlife habitat and open space protection in your community. %hen you are buying a
house, consider your impact on wildlife habitat.