Endangered Species
By: Breanna Blansette
Do you know how many endangered species there are in this world today? There are many things that people can do to help save endangered species from becoming extinct. "Mining companies, oil companies, and large-scale agricultural operations all threaten vulnerable species to a certain degree, by nature of their extractive activities, and development of previously untouched areas of land."(Whittaker). Many different species are becoming endangered because of the things that are going on around them, their habitats are being destroyed so they don 't have anywhere to go to be safe
There are many different species of animals that are becoming endangered or extinct, some of which are the Sage Grouse. "At least 200 protests have been filed against the federal plans to help try and save the endangered species of Sage Grouse, from every direction. The Western Energy Alliance says oil and gas development is unduly restricted.” (Peterson) Some states complain that they people have way too much say in trying to decide what happens to these birds and others think they don’t have a good enough opinion. I think people should be able to state their ideas and thoughts but I don’t think they should be able to decide what gets to happen to that species of animal.
Why are Sage Grouse so important to the world’s ecosystem today? "This sensitivity makes greater sage grouse a strong indicator of ecosystem health: If they 're not thriving across the vast
Since earth was created, there has been a natural phenomenon of species across the globe appearing and disappearing. However, in the past century, many species of animals have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Mainly, this rapidly occurring issue is caused by humans. Humans that contribute to the harmful actions that cause side effects such a pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The natural rate of extinction pales in comparison to the extinction rate caused by all of these. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the current rate of extinction is 11,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Several different efforts have been made in order to stop or slow down the extinction of earth’s species. The Endangered Species Act is possibly the most successful example of these efforts. It’s main purpose is to get a commitment from the American people that they will work hand in hand to help save species that are at risk of becoming extinct and never returning. This act was put in place in 1973 and since then, no other law about the disappearance of wildlife has been quite as accomplished. Many different species that are protected under this law are either fully recovered or on their way to becoming safer. Laws like these are helping many different creatures left and right, however, at the alarming rate that they are disappearing, something else needs to be done. What people don’t seem to realize is that we depend on many of the animals that we are
Many species vital to ensuring that today’s environment will thrive are becoming extinct. If a species is slowly dwindling, and in imminent danger of becoming nonexistent, this species is considered to be endangered. “One in four mammals, one in eight birds, one third of all amphibians and 70% of the world’s assessed plants on the… IUCN Red List are in jeopardy” (IUCN, 2016). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, upwards of 16,000 species are threatened with extinction, including both plants and animals (IUCN, 2016). Before becoming endangered, a species will show warning signs, either by starting to lose biological diversity or by losing the habitats for that species to flourish in, or in the worst case, both. The word endangered can sometimes be confused with threatened, extirpated, or extinct. Extirpated refers to the state of a species where its population has died out in a certain area or range, but other populations of said species still exist elsewhere (Olden, Julian D., 2008). When a species is considered threatened, or vulnerable, this refers to the state of the species being susceptible to endangerment and extinction (“Extinction crisis escalates”). So if a species is threatened, the first signs of endangerment come along, which are similar signs to that of a species in danger of becoming threatened, including lack of genetic diversity, or overhunting may be evident. (“Extinction crisis escalates”). When a species is labelled
An endangered species is a plant or an animal at risk of becoming extinct. Scientists have estimated that up to one-third of species in the U.S. are at a high risk of extinction. In addition to donating millions of acres of land, this is essential to the recovery and survival of the endangered; the Act has shown a ninety percent recovery rate for species in the U.S. The main causes of endangerment include loss of habitat, excessive hunting, and pollution.
A world without animals is a scary thought. There are many animals that will become extinct and many that are endangered. The Endangered Species Act is a good thing because it has provided a set way in helping to protect different species. The Endangered Species Act was signed by past president Richard Nixon, and it was passed with 99% support from Congress. They wanted to protect different species no matter what. Between 40%-50% of endangered species in the U.S. have made improvement, but others are moving toward extinction. The law has helped in the rebirth of 36 species, but a similar number has disappeared. The mixed record on restoration and the impact it has on business has turned the ESA into a one-sided playing field (Male). There are ways humans contribute to species of endangerment by destroying habitats, the introduction of exotic species and hunting. Natural causes such as global warming are another factor that has contributed to species endangerment. The Endangered Species Act has helped to save animals such as the american alligator, the bald eagle, grizzly bears and many others. It is used to prohibit the hunting of these animals. The Endangered Species Act has some negative impacts so there are people who are in support of the while others are not. It could be more effectively enforced by encouraging people to minimize harm to animals and to participate in recovery projects. These recovery projects are being used to help protect endangered species. The
There?s ways that are stopping many species for becoming endangered. The endangered species act of 1973 provides for the conversation of species that are endangered throughout all of their range, and the conversation ecosystem they depend on. The national wildlife refuges main goal is to give endangered species a place to live. It gives habitats to 2170 different species.
In today’s world, hardly any species of wildlife become extinct from natural causes. Europeans hunt animals to such an extent that we classify it as overhunting. We destroy their habitat, and introduce other animals that are a threat to endangered animals or are competition for resources and food. Habitat destruction is the greatest threat to both animals and plants.
A few of these remaining species are extremely close to extinction and if we don’t do something soon we may very well lose them good. They’re becoming extinct from the destruction of their natural habitat.
Over the past decade, permitted by the Species at Risk Act (“SARA”), the former Conservative Government of Canada made a series of decisions that raise troubling ques-tions with regard to the conservation of endangered species in Canada. This essay exam-ines how the lenient wording of SARA permitted the Federal Government to circumvent the intent of the Act and to inadequately protect the country’s endangered species.
Practicality over privilege has become the American mainstay for success. Most of, if not all of the activities practiced in our country have value and contribute to our economy. Protected wild mustangs, however, have proven to provide little to no economic value to the land, programs and people in their association. It is understandable then that the preservation of the wild mustang can be seen as impractical and quite economically draining. In 2012, the BLM’s Wild Mustang and Burro Program spent more than $42 million on holding costs alone, which devoured more than half the BLM’s $72-million budget for its horse and burro program, a financial expenditure that has doubled since 2009 (4). To hard working ranchers whose land is often invaded by the wild mustangs, they can be a nuisance that would be better served as a meat source. One ranchers says of the wild mustangs, “if you can't hunt it, and you can't eat it, and you can't wear it—and I can't sell it—it should not be allowed on my public land” (5). The expenditure of the wild mustangs is only barely manageable at this point in time. If wild mustangs are protected to the point that they are unable to offer any economic contributions our population will soon be hard pressed to find any practical reasons to continue their
If they don’t, it wouldn’t make sense to have the animal represent the state if the animal doesn’t exist anymore. In an article titled Grizzly Bear Comeback? Fed Move to Delist as a ‘Threatened’ Species, Brad Knickerbocker said, “Government scientists have recommended the grizzly bears in the Yellowstone area no longer need listing under the Endangered Species Act. But environmentalists warn of a potentially declining bear population tied to climate change”(Knickerbocker, 1). Part of the reason people go to national parks is so they can see the wild animals in their habitat. Brad Knickerbocker also said in the same article, “But as with the wolves, which is proliferated beyond expectation, forming into new packs and extending their range, the delisting process for grizzlies likely would be long and not without legal and scientific challenge. Which is what happened several years ago when another attempt was made to take them off the official ‘threatened’ list… when grizzlies were first listed as ‘threatened’ under the ESA in 1975, their numbers in the Yellowstone area had divided to as few as 136. Today wildlife agencies report a population of more than 650”(Knickerbocker, 1). The animal population is going up because the ESA rules are being enforced and people are following the act. The animals can roam free wherever and more people are going to national parks. The parks will have increased business with the animals there versus without them there. If you don't want to have slow business in your national park then you should thank the ESA because they were the ones who helped you have a better running establishment. The people come to see the animals, so it's good for people to see the animals when they want or else they might not come back again. Not all people agree with what the ESA is doing. Some people believe
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was created to protect individual plant and animal species as well as their ecosystems. The act creates two separate groups: the endangered species and the threatened species categories. Endangered species are species that are close to extinction and threatened species are those that have a potential to move onto the endangered list. The Endangered Species Act does not account for how quickly any species can become endangered or extinct if it is not placed on one of the lists and nothing is done to protect it. This is compounded by the assertion that lobbyists also have an undue influence on which species are put on or removed from the endangered
Throughout evolution, many species have come and gone. What causes a species to become extinct and what can the human race due to prevent it? Many species’ population decline has been linked to human causation. An endangered species is defined as “plant and animal species that are at risk for extinction” (Funk). Endangered species can be placed into two more specific categorizes. Threatened species are species at risk for endangerment, while endangered species are at risk for extinction. Despite the fact that many people believe extinction is a major issue, the Funk and Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia states that, “extinction is actually a normal process in the course of evolution” (Funk). Over time, numerous species have become extinct, usually as a result of climate changes, inability to adapt, or predation. Another major cause of endangerment is the human population. Pollution, global warming, and hunting is all causing a decline in the population of numerous species. While the encyclopedia is entirely fact based, many authors have worked to sensitize people to threatened species. For example, renowned author Sharon Begley, has written numerous articles to inform people of the importance of many species that are often overlooked.
Extinction is nothing new to animal and plant species around the earth. Over the course of time on the earth there have been five mass extinctions, with many predicting that a sixth has already begun due to human fault. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was designed to save both animal and plant life from these great feat. The ESA has seen only a 2% recovery rate since it enactment (Why is U.S. Recovery Rate (2%) for Endangered Species So Low?). Many critics and politicians have been calling for a reformation of the act for years. The ESA is in need of a change in the following areas funding distribution, time it takes to list a species on the endangered species list, and habitats on private land.
Bill Freedmen, author of “Endangered Species—Human Causes Of Extinction and Endangerment” notes, “scientists approximate that present extinction rates are 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the average natural extinction rate.” These distressing numbers should be acted upon to save the endangered species and avoid the catastrophic change to this planet if these species were to become extinct. In order to produce change, people need to recognize that habitat loss, climate change, and poaching are all factors in why our animal species are going extinct.
Nevertheless, conservationists believe that the restriction is not enough and demands more. In May 2004, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the process of studying whether the sages grouse should be classified under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.