Endangered Species: Endangered species are animals and plants that risk becoming extinct if something is not done to save them. As the human population continues to grow. Our impact on the environment becomes more dangerous for these unique creatures. In this article, we’ll explore the impact humans have had on these animals and how scientists are working to help these endanger species survive in the world today.
Introduction
The world’s endangered species are a hot topic of discussion and concern for many people. While the term “endangered species” technically refers to any species that is in danger of becoming extinct. It typically refers to animals that are threatened with extinction because of human activity. The IUCN Red List of Threaten Species is a comprehensive compilation of the world’s endangered animal species. Compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It contains information on the number of individual animals still alive. The severity of their conservation status, and what measures are being taken to protect them.
Endangered Species: Overview
There are over 1,200 mammal, bird and reptile species currently list as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Of these, around 60% are classified as critically endangered – meaning they have less than 1,000 individuals left in the wild – and 16% are class as vulnerable. These figures vary slightly depending on which country you look at. For example, Figures from The World Heritage Encyclopedia show that 57% of all threatened mammals are critically endangered while only 8% are vulnerable.
The main factors contributing to an animal’s endangerment include habitat loss and degradation. Hunting and exploitation for food, trade restrictions, pollution and climate change. Some animals have become endangered due to direct human intervention such as
These organisms share a common ancestry and have evolve to be different from one another over time. Giving them their unique characteristics. There are over 1.5 million known species of animals, plants, and fungi on Earth. Making it one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. There are many different ways to define a species. But the most common definition states that a species is a group of individuals that can successfully interbreed and produce fertile offspring. This means that all members of a species must share the same set of genetic characteristics in order for them to be able to breed together.
Species are constantly evolving due to interactions with their environment and other organisms around them. This process is call speciation. Speciation can happen when two groups of organisms become completely isolate from each other. Leading to differences in their genetic makeup. Over time, these differences may become enough to prevent the two groups from breeding together. Species are important because they help us understand how life works on Earth and what makes certain types of organisms unique. They also serve as our primary source of food sources and provide us with medicines and technologies we use every day.
What is Endangered?
There are over 1,500 species of animals that are considered endangered, and many more that are threatened with extinction. The main reasons for the endangerment of these species is habitat loss, pollution, and human exploitation.
Criteria for the Endangered Species List
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is a Unit States federal law that establishes criteria for determining which plants and animals need to be protected from extinction. The Act defines as those “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range.” The Act allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list species as endangered or threatened, and creates financial incentives for conservation. As of September 30, 2018. There are 1,646 federally list.
To be list under the Endangered Species Act. This means that the animal’s population must be estimate to be at less than 2 percent of its historic size, and it must have been reduced in number by at least 50 percent since 1970. Once an animal has been list as endangered or threatened, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the authority to take steps to protect it. Including regulating trade and hunting rights.
The act has been successful in protecting many species from extinction. For example, the bald eagle was once near extinction due to habitat loss and hunting; however. Today there are over 10 million bald eagles living across the Unit States. There are several factors that can contribute to an animal becoming endangered or threatened within its range. These factors can include damage cause by humans (such as deforestation), changes in climate (such as warmer temperatures leading
The Endangered Species Act of 1966
The Endangered Species Act of 1966 is a Unit States federal law that provides a legal basis for protecting endangered and threatened species. Johnson on November 18, 1966. The act defines endangered species as those that are in danger of extinction due to human activity, and threatened species as those that may become endangered in the future. The act allows the government to take appropriate measures to protect an endangered or threatened species. Including by authorizing the expenditure of money for conservation measures.
The act has been amend several times since its enactment, most recently in December 2004. The most recent amendment broadened the definition of endangerment to include significant threats from climate change.
Threats and Factors for Decline in Immediate Threatened or Endangered Species
The decline of an endangered species can be cause by a number of factors. But the most common are habitat loss and degradation, poaching, and disease. Poaching is when people take wildlife for their own profit. Often by hunting or trapping it. Diseases can kill off large sections of an endangered population, especially if they’re unable to resist new infections.