Chapter 3 : IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES

 Biodiversity is the variety of life (its ecosystems, populations, species and genes).  Saving endangered species (plants and animals) from becoming extinct and protecting their wild places is crucial for our health and the future of our children. As species are lost so too are our options for future discovery and advancement. The impacts of biodiversity loss include clearly into fewer new medicines, greater vulnerability to natural disasters and greater effects from global warming.

Plants and animals maintain the health of an ecosystem. When a species becomes endangered, it’s a sign that an ecosystem is out of balance. And the consequences can be critical. The balance within an ecosystem isn’t always easy to maintain; the loss of one species often triggers the loss of others. 

The conservation of endangered species, and restoring balance to the world’s ecosystems, is vital for humans, too.

Let us take a look at some of the reasons why it is important to protect endangered species:

1. Ecological Importance 

Healthy ecosystems depend on plant and animal species as their foundations. When a species becomes endangered, it is a sign that the ecosystem is slowly falling apart. Each species that is lost triggers the loss of other species within its ecosystem. Humans depend on healthy ecosystems to purify our environment. Without healthy forests, grasslands, rivers, oceans and other ecosystems, we will not have clean air, water, or land. If we allow our environment to become contaminated, we risk our own health.

2. Medical

Of the medicines currently available, about 50% are derived from natural products. At least 120 chemical compounds, derived from 90 plant species, are important drugs currently in use in many countries around the world. By loosing biodiversity, we are losing the chance to discover new medicines that could end the suffering of millions of people and save national economies billions of dollars each year.

3. Aesthetics

The natural world is beautiful and valued for its aesthetic appeal. Loss of biodiversity impoverishes our world of natural beauty and wonder, both for ourselves and for the future generations.

4. Recreational 

National parks and game reserves uplifting the socio-economic environment of their respective countries. They are bring people together, and further education and environmental conservation. 

5. Agriculture

Many of the benefits of biodiversity accrue to agriculture itself. For example, the marine environment is a source for insecticides. Others benefits include crop pollination, soil fertility services provided by microorganisms, and pest control services provided by insects and wildlife. Biodiversity loss has important implications for agriculture.

6. Poverty Alleviation 

Biological diversity provides the world's population, particularly the poor, with food, medicines, building materials, bioenergy and protection against natural disasters.

7. Pollination of Crops and Natural Vegetation

Many flowering plants rely on animals to help them mate by ensuring fertilization. Bees, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds, bats, and other animals transport pollen, the male reproductive structures, from one plant to another, with enormous benefits to humanity. 

8. Preservation of Soil Fertility

Soils, with their active microbial and animal populations, have the capacity to supply adequate nutrients to plants in suitable proportions. Natural forest soil had a higher content of total nutrients and biomass.

REFERENCES :  www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org

Let us take a look at what our social media family has to say:

Facebook: 

Stefan Sommer -

" Because they are our life support system. Without them we are nothing." 

Tasha Tarasco -

" Variety of Wildlife is beautiful why not protect it "

Instagram:

@Souqbazaars -

" How can we expect the best for our children, when we cannot even care for our Earth "

@_real_rizwana -

" It's each of our duty to protect the environment and co-habitat on Earth peacefully " 

@rkonlineconsulting -

" It is our duty to make sure all species are protected for the future " 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy - 

" If animals/trees die, then it'll be end of human life. We need them, they don't need us " 

@its_winnie_cheche -

" Because extinction means losing them forever "

@aisha_bagha -

" To protect the fragile ecosystem "