Roxanne

An endangered species is any plant or animal

species that is in danger of extinction in the near

future, either because its populations have fallen

to very low levels or because it only occurs

naturally in very few, rare habitats.

An endangered species has been put under

pressure by different factors within the

surrounding environment, such as deforestation

(the destruction of habitat) and poaching (for

sport, etc.). It is these factors and more which

make an endangered species, endangered.

VULNERABLE SPECIES

• A species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers or small range, but now a threatened species

• A species whose population is not

yet low enough to be in immediate

danger of extinction, but who

certainly faces serious problems.

If the problems affecting these

species aren’t resolved, it is

probable that the species will

become endangered.

A species, plant or animal, that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its numbers are usually low, and it needs protection in order to survive.

An extinct species is

one that is no longer

living.

Philippine Spotted

Deer

Philippine Freshwater

Crocodile Tamaraw

Philippine TarsierThe Philippine Flying Lemur,

Colugo or the Kagwang

Aerides lawrenciae Nepenthes bellii

Podocarpus

costalis Tree Fern

• According to scientists. More than one and a half million

species exist on the Earth today. However, recent

estimates state that at least 20 times that many species

inhabit the planet.

• There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered

worldwide.

• There are more than 3,500 protected areas in existence

worldwide. These areas include parks, wildlife refuges

and other reserves. They cover a total of nearly 2 million

square miles or 3% of our total land area.

• The current global extinction rate is estimated at 20,000

species per year.

THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF SPECIES

EXTINCTION OR ENDANGEMENT ARE :

•Habitat destruction - deforestation

•Commercial exploitation – plant

collecting, hunting and various other

trades.

•Damage caused by non-native plants and

animals introduced into an area.

•Pollution – oil spills and air pollutions

• Species become extinct or endangered for a

number of reasons, but the primary cause is the

destruction of habitat by human activities. As

species evolve, most adapt to a specific habitat

or environment that best meets their survival

needs. Without this habitat the species may not

survive.

• Pollution, drainage of wetlands, conversion of

shrub-lands to grazing lands, cutting and clearing

of forests, urbanization, coral-reef destruction,

road and dam construction have destroyed or

seriously damaged and fragmented available

habitats.

• A species that faces over exploitation is one that

may become severely endangered or even

extinct due to the rate in which the species is

being used. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th

century is an example of over exploitation.

• Worldwide commercial exploitation of animals for

food and other products has caused many

species to become extinct or endangered.

• Over-hunting has lead to the extinction of the

great auk, and the passenger pigeon, and puts

many other species under great pressure.

• Non-native species introduced into a new ecosystem have caused serious native species declines. The non-native, or exotic, species may be introduced either accidentally or intentionally, and either out-compete the native species, or prey on them.

• Native plants and animals may have no defenses against these invaders, which can exterminate, or greatly reduce, the populations of many native species. The damaging effects are generally irreversible, and there is often no way to keep the damage from spreading.

• Pollution is another important cause of extinction. Toxic

chemicals, especially chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as

dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have become

concentrated in food webs, the inter-connected food

chains that circulate energy through an ecosystem.

These toxic chemicals strongly affect species towards the

top of the food chain.

• Water pollution and increased water temperatures have

wiped out endemic species of fish in many habitats. Oil

spills destroy birds, fish and mammals, and may

contaminate the ocean floor for many years after the

event.

• Acid rain, the toxic result of extreme air pollution, has

been known to kill organisms in fresh water lakes, and

• Don’t buy anything that has been poached upon. If enough people refrain from demanding such goods, then there is less profit for the poachers. Therefore, they will hunt less, and so some endangered species will be saved.

• Do not litter, and frequently recycle, as this will help to reduce the intoxication of our endangered species.

• Protest and argue against things that may destroy a particular species.

• Sponsor animals.

• Donate to charities involved with helping with the preservation of endangered species.

• Participate in charitable projects.