Loss of Top Predators is Humankind’s Most Pervasive Influence on Nature
Thesis: For thousands of years, nature and humans have coexisted in equilibrium. As human population increases and expands, it cases severe effects in every ecosystem. Evidence of human growth and urbanization can be seen through the impacts on virtually every ecosystem in planet earth, marine and terrestrial. Effects of, such as species decline, endangerment and extinction of enormous proportions. In most cases, driving some species to the edge of extinction. Possibly no species are more affected than the world’s large top predators. These animals are extremely important to the overall health and function of an ecosystem, but conservation and restoration of them and their habitat is a remote thought on humans. The absence of predators in certain areas has led to an explosion of their natural prey, which leads to a damaging impact on their habitat. Ecosystems need to be healthy in order to maintain the health of all living things within and around them, including humans. It seems logical then to restore the natural balance by reintroducing the animal’s natural predator, conserving the population, and protecting the wild environment. Humans can no longer wait to address this growing environmental and ethical issue, and by establishing clear goals they can ensure the future of these species and ecosystems along with the continuing growth and success of their own.
DOT:
Sharks influence on the structure and function of ecological systems, both directly by regulating prey populations and indirectly through the interactions between their prey and other members of the ecosystem. The more severe thread, most of the time sharks are only hunted down for the profitable marked for their fins. Shark fin soup is much desired and theirs is a great demand for it. In consequence, there are special fisherman dedicated to only catch sharks and they only take the fins and basically throw away the rest. The government needs to prohibit the trade and hunt of shark fins and meat. bycatch Shark are the major predator in the sea; however they have no defense again the large drift nets laid down by fisherman in nearly every inch of the sea; consequently, this is the main cause for the decrease of sharks population. They get caught unintentionally in a fishery that is designated to catch other fish. Many fishing techniques and gear are not very selective and result in catching and discarding millions of tons of marine life that was not the target species. Marine predators are experiencing cataclysmic declines worldwide. This is almost entirely due to overfishing, but other factors also contribute. The demand for sharks in Asian markets is accelerating these declines in shark populations, and it remains largely uncertain just how severe the knock on effects will be. Farmers experience high and unaffordable livestock losses every year . top predators kill their cattle and other livestock and believe shooting or poisoning the wildlife protects their herds. Livestock farmers who kill predators pose the biggest threat to these species’ survival in terrestrial ecosystems. predation could be blamed as a result of primary predation or secondary predation as a result of the natural vulnerability. Whatever the cause, it is abundantly clear that husbandry practices are the main determinant of the level of losses. It is in this sphere that the Landmark Foundation believes the solution lies. The "reported" problem of losses of sheep, goats and cattle to predators results in widespread unnecessary human-wildlife conflict and has been ongoing for centuries One farmer with Anatolian dogs reported that he now sleeps soundly at night enjoying the call of the jackal knowing his sheep are protected. He can count his losses on his hands including those lost to disease and bad mothering. His neighbour experiences up to 40 % losses and spends his nights still hunting jackal and caracal
(Not every predator is a "problem" predator. By allowing territorial animals to co-exist on farms where livestock is protected, predators establish territories essential for keeping a healthy eco-system. Predators predate on a number of small animals including rodents, snakes, guinea fowl, rabbits, spring hairs, porcupines and baboons amongst others. They keep these animal's populations genetically strong, healthy and balanced and will "control" their own numbers in stable social structures
.SAVE and our partners are finding ways to help farmers coexist with carnivores instead of killing them)
Human interaction loss of territory The expansion of humans has reduced dramatically the territory for large predator. Large predators require a large amount of territory. This can create problems for predators, especially when their ranges are fragmented by human intrusion, which is only increasing with population increase and new developments. (The decline of large predators at the top of the food chain has disrupted ecosystems all over the planet). Predators are disappearing from the ecosystems at alarming rates because of hunting pressure and because of human constantly induced invading and changing their habitats.( Restoration of large predator is essential for the presence of the ecosystem). Ecosystems crumble without the presence of large predators keeping populations of key species from growing too large. It also provides a cautionary lesson to humans, who often remove top predators from the food chain, setting off an eventual collapse. The specie that sits at the top of the food chain matters, and its loss has large, complex effects on the structure and function of its ecosystem( including changes in vegetation, infectious diseases, water quality, and nutrient cycles).
Humans are aggressively invading the marine ecosystem in more than one way. They are taking so much from it without considering the consequences that comes with it. Humans are also damaging the natural equilibrium; overfishing is causing many species to vanish from parts of the oceans where they used to be in abundance. Soaring demand for sharks in Asian markets is accelerating these declines in shark. Sharks are the most affected due to the lack of regulations. According to Alan Weisman, author of “the world without us” published in 2007. He acknowledges, “In some parts of the world a shark fin soup can cost up to $100 (one hundred dollars) per bowl”. Finners sliced off the pectoral and dorsal fins from the shark, then they throw the mutilated shark back to the sea; consequently, without their fins the sharks cannot swim and they sink and suffocate in the sea floor. The horrible part is that, finners are able to carry more fins augmenting their profits and killing more sharks every trip. Weisman adds “despite of campaign to ban shark fin fishing an estimated of 100 million of sharks died this way every year”.
Sharks are found in nearly all ocean habitats5 and form many connections within food-webs due to their high mobility and varied diets. Something that makes sharks of potentially greater influence on food-web dynamics than other marine predators is their ability to consume larger prey than bony fish of similar size that have sharks as their major or only predators. According to Gore Meredith author of “Sharks Predator as Prey” published in November 7, 2012 on the Michigan State University wensite, he reports “it is estimated that in excess of 90% of all marine predators have already been lost from the oceans” (http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2012/Sharks/Predators_as_Prey_FINAL_FINAL.) due to overfishing and producy of commercial fishing bycatch
There is a considerable lack of accurate fisheries data, particularly for non-commercial species landed as by-catch, and so much of our understanding of the top-down impacts of marine predator loss remains limited to the speculations of mathematical modelling.
Top predators are not to blame for the attacks on live stock. When their natural wild prey is scarce or opportunities arise, these predators will sometimes hunt and kill domestic livestock. For a livestock farmer, this is a serious problem (not an enjoyable “wildlife spectacle”). People whose bottom line is tied to livestock have little tolerance for losses to wild predators. Sadly, wild African predators get themselves into big trouble if they hunt on commercial livestock farms and cattle posts. Although it is illegal, shooting, poisoning, and trapping large predators is common practice around the world. Livestock farmers don’t take kindly to predators eating from their herds. Livestock, especially cattle, is more than just food. Stock animals are a significant symbol of wealth. The guard dogs are bonded with livestock at a critical phase of puppyhood, leading to the dog becoming an integral part of the farming operation by living with and guarding livestock day and night
(This is the third year the Rare Species Fund has awarded support for the EWT Livestock Guarding Dog Project. The Project has been extremely successful in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. Guard dogs are protecting goat, sheep and cattle ranches from predation by leopard, cheetah, caracal, wild dog, and jackal.)
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done when in the context of large predator restoration; predators have a very different reputation than species such as penguins, bunnies, and pandas. Because these animals required a large vast territory to hunt and survive and humans feel threatened by their presence. The absence of large predator also has severe effects on humans. In parts of Africa, leopard and lion populations have been decimated, allowing an uncontrolled rise in the baboon population. The effects have caused the baboons to come into increasing contact with people, and led to higher rates of intestinal parasites in the baboons and their human neighbors. Baboon packs are notorious for raiding crop fields.
Prohibiting shark hunting would not make a difference because the sea is too large that is nearly impossible to be aware of every single fishing boat. Plus it would increase the price and desire of shark fins. One possible solution is ban shark fin soup from restaurants menus; as well, enforce severe fines with the purpose decrease the demand from restaurants for shark fins. According to David Jolly author of “Hong Kong drop shark fin soup from official menus” published September 13, 2013 in the New York Times, he declares “nations such as Hong Kong has already drop shark fin soup from any official menus” in order to prevent finners from massive hunting and killing sharks. (www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/world/asia/hong-kong-removing-shark-fin-from-official-menus.html?_r=0) Consumers exercising their purchasing power to favor sustainable fish stocks, and avoiding shark-fin soup and other shark-derived products. (prohibith tli stock ; and sustainable fisheries management is required, with enforced, scientifically-informed quotas.
2nd compromise solution: (more selective gear/…) More selective fishing gear, as much of the problem is by-catch.
Humans need to build economies that are based on conservation of our natural resources. The standards humans promote for predator management support a healthy ecosystem and the conservation of endangered species. At the same time they support agricultural and related economic activities. Management includes the use of guardian animals like dogs , protective livestock collars, and a variety of other deterrent and barrier methods. These methods are recommended to be used holistically as part of an adaptive and dynamic management plan. Livestock Guard Dog Project because, “It replaces ineffective, cruel, methods such as poison and trapping of predators, with practical and field proven solutions and best practice methodology dealing with damage causing animals”. No single method will be 100 % effective on its own. They work best when applied in combination. These strategies have shown improved production with higher financial return. Innovative solutions that enable humans to ranch livestock in peaceful coexistence with native wildlife, including predators, is vitally important to the future survival of to predators.

(Rare Species Fund Protects Native Predators and Livestock Loss with Innovative Guard Dog Program What they do promise is great improvements compared to lethal controls, and a system of conserving the species diversity that exists on your farm)

It is obvious that large predators are important to an ecosystem, but restoring them isn’t as simple as one may think. Large predators are wide ranging species in that they require a significant area of habitat in order to survive. Wildlife corridors are now being implemented as a means of connecting fragmented populations. Corridors are used by species to migrate, breed, and feed. According to Roger Di Silvestro, author of “Flyways and Corridors” posted may 16, 2011 on the National Wildlife Federation website “one of the most effective tools available today for the conservation of biological diversity, especially in urban areas” (http://blog.nwf.org/wildlifepromise/2011/06/flyways-and-corridors/)This restoration method is causing much debate among humans by truly testing this wildlife human interaction. For deterring predators sometimes can be effective at reducing livestock depredation on a local scale. According to Joel Berger, author of “Apex Predators: A Scary Loss” posted July 20, 2011 on the Wildlife Conservation Society website, he states “Non-lethal methods like fladry, electronic guards, and radio-activated guards. Although expensive, invasive, and labor intensive, contraceptives can be effective at limiting wolf numbers” ( http://www.wcs.org/wcs-org/press/press-releases/apex-predators-are-scarier-when-absent.aspx) Finding effective ways to manage predator-prey systems in ways that are effective while remaining sensitive to public opinion will continue to be a challenge for wildlife managers.
To conclude humans are the only responsible for the nearly extinction of top predators; humans have damage the equilibrium by taking more of what the ecosystem can provide. Top predators have nothing to prevent the constant threat from humans. The absence of top predator is causing irreversible effects to the ecosystem. These complex effects are not only damaging the species within the ecosystem, but all the living organisms around them. The need for restoring and concerning the population of large predator is eminent for the safety of humans and all living organism. Humans have all the tools and recourses to put this in action and restore the natural balance to the environment Humans must do more research on the effectiveness of corridors on wildlife populations. And the innovative methods protect livestock and people in general. The longer we wait to implement these method and regulations, the more degraded predator populations will become, moving them closer to becoming endangered, or worse, extinct. Humans must change their views about large predators, and this can only be done through education.

Work Cited
Berger Joel. “Apex Predators: A Scary Loss” Wildlife Conservation Society
July 20, 2011: http://www.wcs.org/wcs-org/press/press-releases/apex-predators-are-scarier-when-absent.aspx Brooks Tracy. “The Importance of Predators” Predators Defense Foundation .
October 25, 2009: http://www.predatordefense.org/predators.htm Di Silvestro Roger. “Flyways and Corridors” National Wildlife Federation May 16, 2011 http://blog.nwf.org/wildlifepromise/2011/06/flyways-and-corridors/

Fraser Caroline,“The Crucial Role of Predators: A New Perspective on Ecology” YALE University
September 15, 2011: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_crucial_role_of_predators_a_new_perspective_on_ecology/2442/ Gore, Meredith. “Sharks Predator As Prey” Michigan State University
November 7, 2012: http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2012/Sharks/Predators_as_Prey_FINAL_FINAL.pdf /

Jolly, David. “Hong Kong Drops Shark Fin From Official Menus” The New York Times September 13, 2013: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/14/world/asia/hong-kong-removing-shark-fin-from-official-menus.html?_r=0 Meadows, Robin “Reintroducing the wolf to Scotland” The Wolfs and Humans Foundation
November 18, 2013: http://www.wolvesandhumans.org/wolves/wolf_reintroduction_to_scotland.htm Weisman, Alan. The World Without Us. New York: St. Martin’s Press. 2008