13th September Class Notes

The last two centuries witnessed accelerated rates of animal and plants extinction and endangerment which took place alongside industrial progress and rapid growth in human populations. There are several reasons why animals and plants are facing the threat of extinction.

1) Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

·         Habitat loss, as a result of human demand, is widely considered to be the most important cause of animals and plants extinction.

·         Tropical Rainforests are the main habitats for tropical animals and plants. When tropical rainforests are cleared for wood / timber resources, development of petroleum resources, mineral resources, for cash-crop plantations and subsistence farming, animals and plants will lose their natural habitat.

2) National and International Wildlife Trade

·         Poaching and (legal and illegal) wildlife trade are another common threat to animals.

Ø  Pet Trade – endangered animal, for instance, orang utan is bought illegally as pet.

Ø  Fur Trade – animal such as jaguar, leopards and cheetah are killed and their skin is taken to be made accessories such as handbag, belt and jacket.  

Ø  Body Parts Trade - body parts of some endangered animals (such as the tiger), which are used in traditional medicine and as aphrodisiacs

3) Climate change / Global warming

• The warmer global temperature affects the animals and plants in different ways.
• In fact, global warming is predicted to put at least 20-30% of plant and animal species at risk of extinction, and up to 40-70% in worst case scenarios.
• As an example, frogs are an especially vulnerable species. The climate warming has been suggested as a possible cause for the disappearance of the golden toad in Costa Rica.

4) Pollution

• Environmental pollution which in many ways causes global warming, is another cause for animal demise.