Species
Crisis
The biological impoverishment
of the Earth is accelerating as human population grows. The share of bird, mammal,
and fish species that are now in danger of extinction is in double digits—11
percent of all bird species, 25 percent of mammals, and 34 percent of fish.
Rainforests are home
to 50 to 70% of all life forms on Earth. Coral Reefs and the Oceans are home
to 25% to 30% of all life forms. At the current rate of destruction how long
will it be before human beings become endangered?
Scientists estimate
an average of 137 species of life forms are driven into extinction every day
for a total of 50,000 each year.
Frogs an Early Indicator
of Global Disaster
Frog populations around
the world have showed increasing signs of stress in recent years. Some species
have disappeared, and others are no longer found where they used to be. An increase
in deformities may be a sign that something is wrong.
Scientists are concerned
about what's happening to the frogs, because the health of frogs is closely
linked to the health of the environment. Frogs are sensitive to pollution, because
they live at the meeting of two environments -- land and water -- and they can
easily absorb pollutants through their skin.
Herpetologists (scientists
who study amphibians and reptiles) have reported finding frogs with missing
legs, extra legs, misshapen legs, paralysed legs that stuck out from the body
at odd places, legs that were webbed together with extra skin, legs that were
fused to the body, and legs that split into two half-way down. They have also
found frogs with missing eyes. One one-eyed frog had a second eye growing inside
its throat.
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Amphibians are good
"indicators" of significant environmental changes that may go initially undetected
by humans. Humans breathe through lungs, which are inside our bodies and thus
protected from direct contact with air and water. Amphibians, however, breathe
partially (and in some species, completely), through their skin, which is constantly
exposed to the environment. Their bodies are much more vulnerable and sensitive
to factors such as disease, pollution, toxic chemicals, radiation, and habitat
destruction. The worldwide occurrences of amphibian declines and deformities
could be an early warning to us of serious ecosystem imbalances.
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The current global loss
of species is a process generated by the activities of humans. As we modify
our environment for our own ends, it is clear that the destruction of the habitats
of other species leads directly to their disappearance. However, more recently
we have begun to observe, and to speculate about more subtle impacts that human
activities may be having, acting at a global level.
We have depleted atmospheric
ozone levels; pollutants are accumulating in the natural systems on which we
and other organisms depend; we may be altering weather patterns. Such gradual,
but fundamental changes are certain to have an effect on the ecosystem. It is
possible that amphibians are responding adversely to these changes. They may
be showing us how our activities are affecting our shared ecosystem.
Endangered Species
Many species are being
put at risk of extinction on a daily basis. The threats to wildlife are:
Poaching - Many animals
are hunted and killed for their body parts to be used for ornamental decoration
as well as in superstitious potions. Currently, the demand for animal
parts is centred in several parts of Asia where there is a strong market for
traditional medicines made from items like tiger bone and rhino horn
Habitat Destruction
- More and more land is being claimed by Man for his own ends. Centuries
may be required to bring back a forest that was cut down or burnt out in the
space of a few years. Many of the world's severely threatened animals and plants
live in such forests, and it is certain that huge numbers of them will disappear
if present rates of forest loss continue.
Pollution - Chemicals
and toxins that Man is releasing into the air and water causes an imbalance
in ecosystems. Contamination of air, water, or soil by the discharge of harmful
substances contribute to species extinction.
Global Warming - The
change in temperature and climate is affecting species that dwell on land as
well as the ocean. Concern is growing that atmospheric changes could bring on
rapid, profound climatic changes. A slight rise in maximum water temperatures
- only one to two degrees can cause coral bleaching.
Introduction of Exotic
Species - Species that "belong" to an area are said to be native species. Exotic
Species are interlopers, foreign elements introduced intentionally or accidentally
into new settings through human activities. Exotics may seriously disrupt delicate
ecological balances and create a cascade of unintended consequences.
The Great Apes Chimpanzees,
Orang-utans and Gorillas
Chimpanzees,
Orang-utans and Gorillas are our not so distant cousins in the animal world.
They are intelligent and exhibit feelings and emotions like we do.
Chimpanzees (Pan
troglodytes) are found in 21 African countries. Chimps live in the greatest
concentrations in the rain forest areas on the equatorial forest "belt."
Chimpanzees live in social groups called communities. Chimps communicate with
a wide range of calls, postures and gestures.
In Malay orang means
"person" and utan is derived from hutan which means "forest". Thus orang-utan
literally means, "Person of the forest." In captivity they have made tools
to probe into narrow openings for hidden food and to gain leverage and in many
cases escape their enclosures. Orang-utans are classified as critically endangered;
in the wild they are estimated to number between 20-30,000. Unless drastic measures
are taken, orang-utans will be extinct in the wild within 20 years.
Koko, a gorilla, has
a working vocabulary of over 500 signs and has emitted over 400 more. Koko understands
approximately 2,000 words of spoken English. Koko initiates the majority of
conversations with her human companions and typically constructs statements
averaging three to six words. Koko has a tested IQ of between 70 and 95 on a
human scale, where 100 is considered "normal."
All of these great apes
are being threatened by deforestation and poaching. We must take action to save
this part of our family now. We are similar in many ways, but for two, they
can not "speak" and they do not destroy the environment like we do.
