What is Wildlife Depletion?
Wildlife depletion Is the lose of wild animals through over hunting.
Most often loss of there natural habitat due to human expansion of
urbanization.
The largest –scale killing of animals for food, trade and pleasure is one of
the many causes for the depletion of wildlife. We may need to kill animals,
but we cannot do so thoughtlessly.
The major causes of wildlife extinction are as follow:
1. Degradation of ecosystem
The terrestrial ecosystem is degraded due to forest fire, destruction of
forest, use of insecticides and pesticides.
An aquatic ecosystem is spoilt by falling stones
and soil when construction work are is done and by explosion.
2) Habitat destruction
Alteration in the habitat of a particular wildlife species willfully or
inadvertently can cause its extinction. The habitat is destroyed by a number
of factors including over-exploitation of resources, overgrazing, expanding
agriculture, hunting, poaching, environmental pollution, deforestation,
drainage, urban and suburban development, dam building, highway
construction, etc. This destruction leaves only a few alternatives with the
species, it must either adapt in the changed environment, migrate
elsewhere, starve and fall ill, or become a victim of a predator.
3) Hunting and Subsistence farming
People who have hunt for food is responsible for the extinction of
wildlife to a large extent. Animals have been killed by humans for food
since ages, and in recent times this count has increased massively.
5) Foreign species
Bringing in alien species in new places can often lead to ecological
imbalance. The foreign species may overlap the environment of native
species, changing the environment of the old species according to its own
needs, thereby leading to its extinction.
• Exotic species introduced by humans into new habitats. They may
carry disease, prey on native species, and disrupt food webs. Often,
they can out-compete native species because they lack local
predators.
• Over-harvesting of fish, trees, and other organisms. This threatens
their survival and the survival of species that depend on them.
• Global climate change, largely due to the burning of fossil fuels. This
is raising Earth’s air and ocean temperatures. It is also raising sea
levels. These changes threaten many species.
• Pollution, which adds chemicals, heat, and noise to the environment
beyond its capacity to absorb them. This causes widespread harm to
organisms.
• Human overpopulation, which is crowding out other species. It also
makes all the other causes of extinction worse.
Effects of Extinction
The results of a study released in the summer of 2011 have shown that the
decline in the numbers of large predators like sharks, lions and wolves is
disrupting Earth's ecosystem in all kinds of unusual ways. The study,
conducted by scientists from 22 different institutions in six countries,
confirmed the sixth mass extinction. The study states that this mass
extinction differs from previous ones because it is entirely driven by human
activity through changes in land use, climate, pollution, hunting, fishing and
poaching. The effects of the loss of these large predators can be seen in
the oceans and on land.
Disappearing Frogs
Around the world, frogs are declining at an alarming rate due to threats like
pollution, disease, and climate change. Frogs bridge the gap between
water and land habitats, making them the first indicators of ecosystem
changes. Meet the California researchers working to protect frogs across
the state and across the world.
Nonnative Species
Scoop a handful of critters out of the San Francisco Bay and you'll find
many organisms from far away shores. Invasive kinds of mussels, fish, and
more are choking out native species, challenging experts around the state
to change the human behavior that brings them here.
WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR WILDLIFE?
Protect Endangered Species
The Endangered Species Act has proven to be an effective safety net for
imperiled species—extinction has been prevented for more than 98 percent
of the animals under its care. Urge your elected officials to preserve the
important safeguards in the Act.
Protect the Environment
Reduce, reuse, recycle!
Be An Educated Consumer
Never buy exotic animals, particularly those who were wild-caught. Also
shun parts and products made from wildlife, including souvenirs.
Learn more about where your food comes from and what food label claims
such as “sustainable” or “all-natural” really mean. If the product is rated or
certified by an independent evaluator, find out what the rating/certification
means and what animal and environmental advocates are saying about the
certifier’s standards.
