Cause and Effects of the Endangered Species Becoming Extinct in the United States

Pollution from human activities brings forth danger to the different species of animals and plants to become extinct. There are five threats examined in the authors’ researches; habitat destruction, pollution, alien species, farms, and disease. Over time, pollution, destruction, diseases have destroyed the natural habitats and homes of species such as birds, fish, plants, and animals. The science of how species become extinct come from the over harvesting of crops, which places a threat on our birds and plants due to the pesticide pollution. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was enacted by Congress to minimize treats and protect the endangered species. The United States face a dilemma when it comes to protecting the listed endangered species. Animals such as the bald eagle, Florida panther, gray wolf, grizzly bear, red-cockaded woodpecker, are just a few of the listed endangered species. Overview of threats is categorized in five types; habitat destruction, the spread of alien species, overharvest of farms, pollution and disease.

In Wilcove’s article, it is examined within the 50 states the four types of animals being discussed such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians with the possibility of becoming extinct or critically imperiled determined by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). David Wilcove states that, “A total of 2,490 imperiled species, subspecies, and populations fit these criteria” (Wilcove, Rothstein, Dubow, Phillips, & Losos, 1998, p. 607). In response, within these 2,490 animals at risk the science of these problems is that their home is destroyed, and when introduced to a new environment they cannot adapt to the normal life in the same manner. Native animals cannot compete with the new species discovered and...

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... one threat, secondly with alien species. On the other hand I believe that pollution is the number one following up with habitat destruction and alien species. Pesticide pollution imposes a threat to birds such as bald eagles, and falcons in North America. Why should we care? Because the list of endangered species is broad and is crucial for the need of support, if nothing is done now the unique species will never be seen again. Over 500 species from the United States alone has become extinct. It is not just the responsibility of the government to keep our species safe, but it’s everyone’s job.

Works Cited

Wilcove, David S., David Rothstein, Jason Dubow, Ali Phillips, and Elizabeth Losos."Quantifying Threats to Imperiled Species in the United States."BioScience. V48. Iss.8 (1998): p.607 http://www.unc.edu/courses/2006spring/geog/144/001/www/readings/wilcove2.pdf