2. The international union for conservation of nature and natural
resources have given us a classification of existing plants and animal
kingdom based on their characteristics and the threat they are facing
due to human intervention and many other specific factors causing
their loss:
- Normal Species: species whose population levels are considered
to be normal for their survival, such a cattle, Sal, pine, rodents, etc.
- Endangered Species: these are species which are in danger of
extinction. The survival of such species is difficult if the negative
factors that have led to a decline in their population continue to
operate. The examples of such species are black buck, crocodile, etc.
- Vulnerable Species: These are species whose population has
declined to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered
category in the near future if the negative factors continue to operate.
The examples of such species are blue sheep, Asiatic
elephant, Genetic dolphin, etc.
3. -Rare Species: Species with small population may move into the
endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting
them continue to operate. The examples of such species are the
Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and
hornbill, etc.
-Endemic Species: These are species which are only found in some
particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical
barriers. Examples of such species are the Andaman teal, Nicobar
pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.
-Extinct Species: These are species which are not found after
searches of known or likely areas where they may occur. A species
may be extinct from a local area, region, country, continent or the
entire earth. Examples of such species are the Asiatic
cheetah, pink head duck.
4. 5 great extinction events in the past.
Each one destroyed 50-95% of the life of the day.
The most recent, was the dinosaurs.
Usually driven by geological processes such as
asteroids, volcanoes and sudden climate shifts.
Usually take millions of years to happen.
The 6th great extinction is happening right now.
Called The Holocene Extinction Event.
It will take place in only a matter of decades.
The destroying of habitats, overexploitation and human
induced climate change have increased during the 20th
century.
5. Today, carbon dioxide is coming from our industrial
activities and lifestyle.
Estimated at the end of this century there will be a 6
degree Celsius increase in global temp. if we don’t make
changes.
Global warming is already affecting timing of seasons
and animals bearing young earlier than at beginning of
20th century.
If 95% of species die out then, humans will be one of
them.
6. -These factors lead to the endangerment
and extinction of species.
-Habitat Destruction
-Fast paced changes= little or no time for
species to react and adjust to new
circumstances.
-Primary cause of species endangerment.
-Humans are what cause this destruction.
-Tropical forests are highly susceptible to
destruction.
-Examples of habitat destruction: Clear
cutting, destroying by fire, logging, mining,
expanding human settlements and building
new towns and cities.
7. Everyday about 100 species are lost
due to deforestation. That’s about
27,000 species a year!
Over half of the Earth’s original
forests have disappeared.
Tropical forests contain half of the
Earth’s species.
17 million hectares are
cleared/burned every year.
URBANIZATION
Increased habitat loss.
Bulldozing, paving, development, et
c. for houses, malls, businesses and
roads all destroy habitat.
8. Illegal Wildlife Trade/Overexploitation
Caused by the trade in animal parts.
Body Parts Trade.
Demands for items like rhino horns,
walrus tusks and tiger bones in SE Asian
countries like China.
Live animals are taken for the pet trade or
their parts exported for medicines or
food.
Thousands of species= part of the illegal
international wildlife trade.
Ex. African/Asian elephants, parrots,
rhinos, antelopes.
Causes massive declines in the numbers
of many species.
9.
10. Sewage dumped in water affects
fish, frogs, etc.
50% of freshwater species populations are
declining from pollution and pesticides.
Global warming puts at least 20-40% of
plant/animal species at risk of extinction.
Commercial Fishing
Overfishing affects fish populations and
they begin to decrease.
About 1000 whales and dolphins drown
everyday from getting tangled in fishing
gear.
11.
12.
13.
14. I. Visit a national park or wildlife reserve and appreciate the
animals. Follow the guidelines, like fire regulations, don’t
litter and leave flowers and plants where you find them.
II. Make space for wildlife. Build a birdhouse or have a
birdbath, plant a tree, compost your wastes and don’t use
harmful chemicals in your home or garden.
III. Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Carpool, take public
transportation, walk, ride bikes.
15. There are more than 1000 endangered species worldwide.
There are more than 3500 protected wildlife areas in the
world. They cover 5 million sq. miles or 3% of our total land
area.
More than 16,000 of the world’s mammals, birds and
plants are threatened with extinction.
¼ of the known 5487 wild mammal species on the planet
are threatened with extinction. That’s 1372
mammals, almost gone from the face of the Earth.
Most species in the world, will become extinct before they
are even known to man.
16. • 12% of all birds, 33% of amphibians and 50% of palm
trees are threatened with extinction.
• Climate change alone could lead to further extinction of
15-37% of all species by the end of the century.
• Between 1960 and 2000, human population of the world
has doubled but the animal populations have declined
by 30%.
• 137 species are estimated to go extinct each day.
• 50,000 species are estimated to go extinct each year.
• 95% of known plant species have not yet been screened
for their medicinal values.
17.
18. More than 3 million heart disease sufferers would die within 72
hours of a heart attack, without a drug from the purple fox grove.
AGRICULTURAL VALUES
80,000 edible plants in the world. Humans depend on 20 species of
these, like corn and wheat to provide 90% of the world’s food.
ECOLOGICAL
Plant and animal species are the foundation of healthy ecosystems.
Humans depend on ecosystems like prairie grasslands and ancient
forests to supply us with food and purify the air.
When species become endangered it means the ecosystems are
not healthy
23. Learn as much as you can about endangered species in your
area
Visit a nearby national wildlife refuge or nature center
Volunteer to help
Don’t buy species illegally taken from the wild
Don’t buy products made from threatened or endangered
species.
24. The most hope for endangered species lies
in the hands of young people like you who
care enough to make a difference.
