The Endangered Species Act protects hundreds of species, including bald eagles, gray whales and California condors. It has helped save them from extinction, and it’s time to do more.
However, a lack of funding and coordination between conservation organizations and governments can slow the pace of action. That’s why we need your help.
Threats to Species
There are many threats to endangered species, including habitat loss, poaching, and deforestation. Wildlife species in the United States are particularly at risk due to climate change, as their ecosystems become warmer and less stable.
Species can also lose their food sources as their habitats change. For example, some pollinating insects are forced to eat flowers that bloom earlier in the year.
These changes can lead to an increase in predators such as raptors. Additionally, some species may not adapt to the new environment, and their numbers will plummet.
Because of this, it’s important to rank global threats on multiple metrics and not just by relying on species-level data. This will help identify the best ways to conserve biodiversity.
Habitat Loss
Every plant and animal needs to have a place to call home. This is called their habitat and it’s where they live, grow food, raise their young, and find mates.
Human activities like agriculture, deforestation, mining, and oil exploration cause the habitats of many species to disappear. This can decrease biodiversity, alter species ranges and interactions, and even lead to the extinction of some species.
Habitat loss can also affect the trophic chain, which is the entire chain of food between plants and animals that support each other. This means that when a forest or woodland is reduced in size, it becomes easier for pests to spread and eat the plants that make up the habitat.
The habitat loss caused by humans is the main threat to biodiversity on Earth today. It is one of the largest causes of extinctions worldwide. It is the primary driving force behind the decline of 85% of the world’s plant and animal species.
Poaching
Poaching is an incredibly lucrative industry that thrives even when laws are in place to help protect endangered species. Destitute people and for-profit thieves diminish animal populations through the illegal wildlife trade.
For example, over 100,000 African elephants were killed between 2014 and 2017 for their ivory, while a thousand rhinos are killed every year to harvest their horns. The lion, tiger, and jaguar are also among the animals that are on the edge of extinction due to poaching.
Deforestation also affects wildlife, as it destroys their natural habitats and makes them more accessible to poachers. Habitat loss means that animals won’t be able to find food and will eventually starve to death.
In addition, poaching can lead to the spread of diseases between wild animals and humans. These diseases can cause illness and even death. This is why it’s important to protect endangered species! By educating the public about this illegal practice and helping them understand how harmful it is for both animals and people, we can all work together to stop the illegal trade.
Deforestation
Forests are home to a huge variety of animal species. They provide shelter, food, habitat, and a place for these animals to hunt and reproduce.
Deforestation and destruction of forests is one of the most serious threats to endangered species. It has the potential to cause their populations to decrease and lead them to extinction.
Species of animals that are endemic to their habitats or that are very specialized are particularly vulnerable. This includes species that only live in a small region or ecosystem, such as the Bolivian chinchilla rat and the Phillipine tarsier.
Wildlife in forests also have to fight for limited resources like food and shelter, which is made worse when lands are deforested. Moreover, human interaction with wildlife increases as more of them become accessible to hunters and farmers. This leads to increased conflict between humans and wildlife, which can lead to species extinction.