endangerd species of the U S
Factors that cause extinction of the species and actions taken by the government in the USA Millions of years before human race came into existence, extinction of living organisms was caused by geological and climate changing conditions, results of which had devastating effects on the environment. ... , and all these demands put a squeeze on the earth’s resources, including its wildlife. ... From 1970 to 1993 the number for United States only species on the Endangered and Threatened list grew about eight times bigger from 92 to 775. As of today there are 1254 species of plants and animals that are either on the endangered or threatened list in the United States. Of 1254 U.S. species listed as threatened or endangered, 977 (78 %) have been approved by the government for recovery plans as of December 31, 2001. Recovery plans are designated to arrest or reverse the extinction process of particular species whose existence is endangered and restore their population. In my paper I will discuss causes that are life threatening to some species and actions that are being taken by the U.S. government toward resolving endangered species issue. ... In most cases the factors causing species to become endangered are human related. ... It is hard to identify or predict human effects on individual species and habitats, especially during a human lifetime, however it is quite apparent that human activities have greatly contributed to species endangerment. Frequently, several forms of environmental changes are responsible for disappearance of species. ... Forty species of birds in the United States, including peregrine hawk, bald eagle, pelicans and roseate terns, lay thin shelled eggs as a result of ingesting degradation products of chlorination hydrocarbon insecticides that make their way into the food chain. ... The main reason why bald eagle is considered an endangered species today is because of the accumulation of pesticides (DDT) and other long lived insecticides in the ecosystem. ... When the bald eagle population reached its lowest point in 1960, 400 pairs were left, it was put on the endangered species list. ... Another human related activity that causes extinction of the species is hunting. Many species have been hunted to the point of extinction for their fur hides, or feathers. ... Whale species are on the endangered list. ... As a result, some whale species have made great comebacks. Yet another, not least important factor contributing to extinction of species is introduction of alien species into the new environment. ... Those plants and animals that have been a part of a specific geographic area for a lengthy period of time are called native species. They are well adapted t their local environment and are accustomed to the presence of another native species within the same general habitat. Alien species are those that have been introduced into a new environment by way of human activities, either intentionally or accidentally. Introduction of alien species May seriously disrupt delicate ecological balance and result in harmful consequences.