Endangered Species

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Endangerment is a broad issue, one that involves the animals as well as the environments where they live and interact with one another. In order to solve or even slightly elevate this problem, every aspect must be studied. So exactly what could cause the endangerment of animals? There are several factors of which only a few will be discussed.
One of the main aspects is that of habitat destruction. Of course our planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered and modified, but these tend to happen at a gradual pace. This allows most species to adapt to the changing environment, where only a slight impact may take place. However, when changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no time for an individual species to react and adjust to the new circumstances. This cause disastrous results, and for this reason, rapid habitat loss is the primary cause of species becoming endangered. Nearly every region of earth has been affected by human activity. It is difficult for an individual to recognize the effects that humans have had on specific species (Brook p.385). It is even more difficult to predict human effects on individual species and environments, especially during one lifetime.
The introduction of an exotic species into an environment will furthermore cause the endangerment of a species. Native species are those plants and animals that are part of one specific geographic area, and have been a part of that particular biological landscape for a long period of time (Ehrlich p37). The species is well adapted to the environment and accustomed to the presence of other native species within the habitat. When an exotic species is introduced usually by way of human activities or accidentally, they cause a very serious disruption in the delicate ecological balances and may produce a plethora of unintended yet harmful consequences. The introduced species may severely agitate the delicate food chain by preying on species, and growing to outrages numbers. This happens because none of the native species will recognize the exotic as a threat or even a source of food.
Overexploitation can cause the extinction of a species; this is due to the rate at which the animals are taken. Many species have been hunted for sport or for profit until only a small number remains. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th century is an example of ...

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...o beads, and used to stimulate pearl construction in oysters form the basis of a thriving industry which supports approximately 10,000 U.S. jobs and contributes over $700 million to the U.S. economy annually. Unfortunately, 43% of the freshwater mussel species in North America are currently endangered or extinct (Gilden)
Plant and animal species and their ecosystems form the basis of America’s multi-billion dollar, job-intensive tourism industry. They also supply recreational, spiritual, and quality-of-life values as well. Each year over 108 million people in the United States participate in wildlife-related recreation including observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, lodging, equipment, and food to engage in non-consumptive wildlife recreation (Ehlrich p.207)
Our national heritage of biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource. Our quality of life and that of future generations depends on the preservation of plant and animal species.

The hypothesis is by changing the way the human race lives many animals could be saved from endangerment.

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