Problem+Research


 * // [|Environmental Science: In Context] . // ** Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2009. p259-264. From // Opposing Viewpoints In Context //.

1. An endangered species is a species of animal or plant whose numbers have declined drastically due to natural or human causes, that is on the edge of extinction. 2. millions of years ago when an astroid hit the earth it caused the extinction of an estimated 85% of Earth’s species, including the dinosaurs. 3. Billions of species have become extinct due to natural processes and occurrences, throughout earth's history. 4. In modern times, human activities have greatly increased the rate at which species are becoming extinct or threatened. 5. Many species become extinct before humans even know they exist. 6. Overhunting and overfishing have threatened animal species since aboriginal Europeans, Australians, and Americans developed effective hunting technology thousands of years ago. 7. Large predators in the United States includes: grizzly bear, black bear, gray wolf, red wolf, San Joaquin kit fox, jaguar, lynx, cougar, mountain lion, Florida panther, northern falcon, American alligator, and American crocodile, are also declining in population size. 8. Thirteen species of honeycreepers have been rendered extinct by introduced predators and habitat loss since Polynesians discovered the islands, and especially since European colonization. 9. the American ivory-billed woodpecker was thought to be extinct because of humans destroying their habitats in the mid 1900's. around 40 years later sightings of them were reported in central Arkansas. 10. The same happened for the black footed farret, but it was never sighted again. 11. In 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed 1,174 animal species and 1,921 plant species as threatened or endangered around the world. 12. Orinoco turtles are the most endangered species in South America. 13. Various species are unsustainable. Meaning they are being killed faster than they are able to repopulate. 14.The red lists rank the species by levels of threat. The 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened species listed 16,118 species of plants and animals facing imminent extinction. 15. Some species, such as undiscovered medicinal plants and species with potential for agricultural uses, have values unknown at the present time to human. But will be well missed in the future.

 1. The production of palm oil, an ingredient found in a bewildering array of processed foods, has been directly linked to the destruction of Southeast Asian rainforests that were previously home to endangered animals that include both species of orangutan
 * // [|Geographical] . // ** 78.3 (Mar. 2006): p4. From // Student Resources in Context //

Regenstein, Lewis G. "Endangered Species." // Environmental Encyclopedia //. 4th ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 536-538. // Gale Virtual Reference Library //. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.

1. Loss of habitat is the single most common threat to wildlife. 2. Species of wildlife are becoming extinct at a rate that defies comprehension and threatens our own future 3. Facts show that countless unique life forms that will never again exist are rapidly being exterminated. 4. Most of these species extinctions will occur—and are occurring—in tropical rain forests 5. Rain Forests are being cut down at a rate of 1-2 acres a second. 6. when a species is wiped out it effects some 10 to the 30 of other species. (puts them in danger) 7. In 2010 the U.S. Department of the Interior’s list of endangered species contained 1,541 species. 8. in many cases, the government has not been excited about administering and enforcing the laws and regulations protecting endangered wildlife.

Regenstein, Lewis G. "Endangered Species." // Environmental Encyclopedia //. Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe, and Mary Ann Cunningham. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 450-451. // Gale Virtual Reference Library //. Web. 30 Oct. 2011.

1. Today's rate of extinction exceeds that of all of the mass extinction in geologic history 2. Every day, plant are being eliminated that could provide cures for cancer or AIDS and other uncurable diseases or could become food staples as important as rice, wheat, or corn. 3. Expert Edward O. Wilson of Harvard and Norman Myers, estimate current and projected // annual // extinctions at anywhere from 15,000 to 50,000 species, or 50 to 150 // per day // 4. At this rate, 5–10% of the world's species, perhaps more, could be lost in the next ten years and a similar percentage in hundreds of years. 5. Within one generation, we are witnessing the threatened extinction of between one fifth and one half of all species on the planet.

"Causes of Endangerment." //Endangered Species - EndangeredSpecie.com//. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

1.About forty percent of all prescriptions written today are composed from the natural compounds of different species. 2. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe that losing one plant species can cause the loss of up to 30 other insect, plant and higher animal species. 3. Coral reefs along the Florida Keys are being killed by pollution off the coast of Florida. 5. The three stages of endangerment are valnerable species, threatened species, and endangered species. 6. The earth's climate usually changes slowly so species can adapt. But on occasion the climate can change quickly, which will destroy the species habitat. 7.The loss of microbes in soils that formerly supported tropical forests, the extinction of fish and various aquatic species in polluted habitats, and changes in global climate brought about by the release of greenhouse gases are all results of human activity. 8.Unrestricted whaling is an example of overexploitation, this out whales in an extremely low numbered species. 9. Disease and pollution are also other important factors that effect the life of species. 10. carnivore populations are currently being destroyed by rabies and canine distemper viruses. 11. species that are confined to small areas because of habitat loss, may be disastrously affected by random factors.
 * 4.** One third of the United States’ fish species, two-thirds of its crayfish species, and almost three-quarters of its mussel species are in trouble.