May 10, 2010 ... Terms Defined. • Endangered: Faced/threatened with danger, may lead to
extinction. • Species: A group of organisms that share similar ...
The Issue of Endangered Species Environment Committee (ENV) By: Chia Ni Wu
Terms Defined •
Endangered: Faced/threatened with danger, may lead to extinction.
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Species: A group of organisms that share similar characteristics and are capable of producing fertile offspring through reproduction.
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Extinct: When species disappear permanently
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Wildlife Trade: The selling or exchanging of animals and plants as well as products that are made from them (ex. Food)
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Vulnerable/Candidate Species: Species that are facing a high risk of extinction.
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Conservation: The act of protecting
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Ecosystem: A particular area which acts as a habitat for plants and living organisms in which they are capable of surviving and adapting to.
Topic Summary •
A biologically diverse Earth contains a variety of lives within the globe; the different species of animals and plants. These different species live in a specific ecosystem to which they adapt. All cultures that exist in the world are aware of the importance of nature and the need to conserve and maintain it. However, although some species extinction may happen naturally, human activities, greediness among humans, and politics have caused an imbalance between the diversity and are responsible for most species extinction.
Topic Summary Ctd. •
Many conservation strategies have been suggested and even some put into action. The rate of species extinction still maintains at a rate many times higher than before human came to be so numerous. In addition, with the destruction of ecosystems such as rain forests, over the last twenty years, there has been an increased rate of species extinctions. Thus, it is said to be obvious that mankind is destroying this heritage, forcing thousands of species to lose their habitats. Today the number of species endangered by human activities and the number of habitats being destroyed, fragmented or changed are constantly growing which results in ecosystem destabilization and imbalance.
Timeline • 1973 – The Endangered Species Act passed • 28th October 1982 – UN Resolution A/RES/37/7 established in the question of World Charter for Nature • 1999 – The WCBESCAS(World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity as an Aid to their Survival) conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio. • 21st January 2009– 175 nations have signed on to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) • 25th February 2010 – 9th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Manitoba, addressing the landscape and wildlife conservation in western Canada. • 21st May 2010 – Endangered Species Day
How this Topic Originated? •
The main problem that leads to endangerment of species is human through the following causes: – Habitat Loss • The species’ habitats are taken away from the humans due to human activities such as building roads, construction projects, timber harvesting and the creation of farmlands have threatened the ecosystem and became the main cause of species extinction. – Pollution • Different types of pollution have caused the issue; water, air and ground pollution. For example, toxic substances have been dumped in wooded areas which destroys the soil as well as the species in that area due to bacteria. In addition, oil spills and other industrial wastes in both fresh and marine environments threaten and have long lasting effects on the lives of many species.
Unregulated/Illegal Killing and Trading Some humans still hunt and fish for survival. Wildlife trade has also become another issue as people around the world depend on wildlife harvest and trade for food, medicine and shelter to support their livelihoods. However, although most parts of the trading have been legal and regulated, there are still some parts that are left unmonitored therefore causing threatened and or endangered species to be killed and used for products in the markets. For example, the population of African elephant (threatened species) has undergone dramatic decline as a result of poaching for the ivory trade. Diseases Not only disease occur naturally, humans have also introduced diseases and problems into species. An example will be the insecticides and pesticides which was used all over U.S. In the beginning, it was only found in water and soil however, it eventually increased to the top of the food chain. These toxic substances cause difficulties in increasing a species population as for instance, eagles will produce eggs that had shells so fragile that they broke just from the mother sitting on them.
What has been done by the UN or other organizations? • •
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WWF – TRAFFIC (a wildlife trade monitoring network): They have been working to encounter illegal trade The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) have been working with its parties (175 member nations) in solving the issue of species extinction through creating resolutions, enforcing laws and its aim is to ensure that the international trade with species do not threaten their survival. They also develop specific programs targeting the individual endangered species in which meetings and reports are established. In addition, they ban trade in many rare species. In the United States, the federal Endangered Species Act has protected hundreds of species and habitats from activities that might harm them such as illegal trading. The act was first passed into law in 1973.
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Resolutions relating to the issue have passed in the UN stating ways to conserve the wildlife and protect the endangered species. Conservation organizations such as WWF, Rainforest Action Network, and Friends of the Earth, are helping to conserve species and habitats. These organizations raise monetary funds for projects, maintain and publish lists of endangered species, and raise public awareness which brings attention to the problem of endangered species. Captive-breeding programs have been promoted as a method to help protect the species from the polluted environments and other human activities. In order to help the species to repopulate, they have been sent to zoos or parks and are bred there. This ensures that the offspring will be raised and, eventually, returned to the wild. Furthermore, with the combination of laws, awareness, and commitment, it will help maintain the delicate balance of nature that is necessary for the survival of all living things.
What are the long-term objectives related to this topic? • •
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WWF - their mission is “to use the best conservation science available and work with people to find solutions to save the marvelous array of life on our planet.” TRAFFIC – Throughout the years, they have been trying to reduce the impacts of wildlife trade on exotic species caused by the Worldwide consumption through means such as monitoring trade, warning of trade problems, supporting the enforcement of laws and policies, raising awareness and field investigations. Many conservation organizations have tried to conserve the species’ prime habitat for as long as possible through ways such as raising awareness, support the enforcement of polices and laws as well as field investigations. They are also trying to increase its population through breeding in designated areas (ie. Zoos and parks) through captive-breeding programs in order to prevent species extinction.
What is the current situation? • •
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The current extinction rate has reached up to 1000 times the original rate. According to the scientists, in the next century, it may reach up to 10,000 times; one-third to two-thirds of all species of plants and animals will be facing extinction. 10%-30% of mammals, birds and other species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities. By 2020, one fifth of species that remain alive today may be extinct. Incentives such as imprisonment and fines are being charged on people who are committed to illegal trading and killings are enforced in the law, protecting the species from being over hunted in the United States.
Since 1950, Japan has adapted the "forest agency" which employs a persistent policy of cutting broad-leaf trees to pant conifer trees for a quick harvest. This then eventually led to much more sustainable forestry and hence, the endangered species there become much more safe. In the United States, the Endangered Species Day which will be held on the 10th May 2010, is established to raise public awareness. Foundations in many nations are created to raise public awareness: In Australia: The Australian Koala Foundation protects 50,000 koalas which are left worldwide. Adoption foundations are being created for people around the world to help the endangered species through adopting them, and donating to take care of them.
Related Links • http://library.thinkquest.org/5736/causes.ht m • http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/index. html • http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticne ws/indepth/endangered_species/backgrou nd/index.asp?article=endangeredspecies • http://www.serconline.org/esa/index.html
Bibliography • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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