The Conservation Effect

Animals are facing the first steps of their apocalypse every day. Humans destroying their habitats are the leading factor to why animals are becoming extinct. Three quarters of all the extinctions which have occurred in the last three hundred years were caused by humans. Rates indicate that we are likely to cause the eradication of a quarter of all the known species within the next 20 years if nothing further is done to protect theses species and their homes. While some things are already being done to aid animal conservation, more extensive interventions are crucial to preventing further loss of our precious wildlife.

The importance of a functioning ecosystem is often overlooked. An ecosystem is a cycle of life that consists of all plants, animals, and microorganisms working together in order to survive. If one factor of an ecosystem is eliminated, it will fail to work properly. This has been happening all too often in recent years. Many of the threats in today’s ecosystem are completely preventable but we have to take the steps in order to assure that the threats expire. Humans play an essential role, both good and bad, in how ecosystems operate. We have the intelligence to acknowledge our mistakes, and the capability to correct them. There are many beneficial factors for humans in an ecosystem. We have to treat the ecosystem with care and learn not to abuse the resources it provides all us for living.

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) states that “Many of the human activities that modify or destroy natural ecosystems may cause deterioration of ecological services whose value, in the long term, dwarfs the short-term economic benefits society gains from those activities” and “The functioning of many ecosystems could be restored if appropriate actions were taken in time.”(Vrable, 2007, p2) They cannot tell how much time society has left to fix the problems that they have created. This means that the problems could already be in the irreversible stage, only time will tell.

Human growth continues to threaten and destroy animal habitats. Deforestation has got to be slowed down, or stopped completely in order for wildlife to have an opportunity at survival. Habitats are one the sacred places where animals reproduce. If there are no or limited places for animals to reproduce, it is a distinct possibility that certain species will eventually become extinct. There has been Species Survival Plans (SSP) started to help increase the population of low numbered species. The critically endangered species has the lowest substantial likelihood of survival due to inbreeding. The animals that are left of a species usually cannot give birth to healthy newborns because the discrepancies in the DNA lead to a dreadfully low immune system in the infants. The discrepancy is caused by the DNA being too closely related between the mating male and mating female. Low immune systems are the primary killers of inbred infantile. If the infants do survive, they still will not be able to help the population grow because their DNA would be too weak to have healthy offspring.

Species Survival Plans consists of gathering information about all the animals known in existence of a certain species and putting that entire species DNA into a databank. This information is imperative to picking the best survival plan for species. Tests are done to match up the DNA of a male with the DNA of all the females. The test results find the best suitable mate for this species to reproduce with. This gives the newborns of the male and female a much better survival rate, but they also need to have protected specialized lands in order for the reproductions to take place. Societies need to put forth a greater effort toward protecting wildlife habitats. At this point, large scale solutions are the only plausible answer.

There needs to be stricter laws initiated to begin this process of wildlife protection and recovery. Higher pollution rates attribute to some major affects humans are having on species and their habitats. Contaminated water and food supplies force species to find alternate means of living. Wildlife is often driven away from safe locations due to these poor conditions. Harsh laws against polluting and endangering the environment would indeed cut out some risk factors responsible for creating these unsuitable living conditions. Heavy fines and slaps on the wrist will not cut it. The polluters businesses should be shut down until they have corrected their procedures on disposing of harmful wastes. The businesses would lose money from not operating and make the owners work faster to find and initiate solutions. This would have effects on other businesses as well. They would see the result of not following these stricter laws and be quick to follow suit and eventually halt pollution altogether. It is only wishful thinking right now, but these measures may be in the near foreseeable future.

Polluters and poachers have a common agenda, self benefit. Stopping poachers has always been a top priority for environmental conservation groups such as The World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF has been proactive in trying to get changes made for the better around the world. In an article titled Don’t Let Life Fade to Black; an author partnered with the WWF makes the importance of our ecosystem clear. There are many animals that are affected by the smallest changes to their habitat. These changes cause an enormous threat to all animals alike. The Changes in the earth’s ecosystem are happening more frequent, and it is taking a toll on all of the planet’s creatures. There has to be modifications made to the way we live in order for the ecosystem to function properly.(Yeager, B, 2004) They recognize the importance in protecting large area of land to prevent poaching from occurring. These large protected areas are becoming endangered themselves. There needs to be more of these special lands created to secure future plans for stabilizing wildlife numbers.

Prevention is a principal focal point towards the restoration of ecology. Educating people on the effects their actions have on harming the environment and wildlife is a necessary stride that more societies need to embark on. If people could see the big picture of how every action plays a direct result on the way of life for so many, they would use far more precautionary measures. Dr. Evan Bloomer, a conservationist and the director at The Wilds Conservation Facility, states that “As we become more informed, we realize that we do not have to travel to Africa or Asia to find evidence of diminishing habitats and animal populations.”(The Wilds, 2007, 2) Understanding how recycling, reducing waste, conserving and disposing of harmful waste properly could show dramatic

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