...Traditionally, humans and green sea turtles were not made to interact with each other. Both live in extremely different environments and they are not traditionally supposed to hunt each other for prey. However, humans have upset the natural balance and caused the two vastly different species to interact. Human influence has created a drastic impact on the population of Green Sea Turtles, and have played the biggest role in the endangerment of these marine creatures. The turtles are often harvested for consumption across many continents such as Asia and South/Central America, where the decade long practises have significantly diminished the population. There are many alternatives to sea turtle meat, such as meat from animals not suffering extinction,...
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...First, I decided to do some research on the conservation status of Sea Turtles. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the global statuses are classified as followed: • Leatherbacks: Vulnerable • Greens: Endangered • Loggerheads: Endangered • Hawksbills: Critically Endangered • Olive Ridleys: Vulnerable • Kemp’s Ridleys: Critically Endangered Sea Turtles are among the list of top endangered species. Of the seven species, six are considered endangered. Among those six species are the Green Sea Turtles. Several factors have contributed to their rate of extinction. These factors include: climate change, oil spills, unmanaged coastal development, illegal trade, human consumption, and predators. According to the WorldWildlife webpage, “Incidental capture by fishing gear is the greatest threat to most sea turtles, especially endangered loggerheads, greens and leatherbacks. This threat is increasing as fishing activity expands” (wwf.org). Upon my research, I found another surprising factor that is currently contributing to sea turtle extinction. I discovered the article, “Invasive algae, pollution cause lethal tumors on sea turtles”. The lethal tumors have been most prevalent in Hawaii’s Green Sea Turtle Species. The tumors are linked to the invasive algae, “Superweed”. The algae grow along an area, where nutrient pollution is not managed regularly. When the sea turtles consume the invasive algae, the amino acids from the algae stimulate...
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...Part A: Definitions 1) Extinct- When a species has died out and is no longer a living organism on earth, due to human activities or environmental forces disturbance like example : poaching, poor reproduction, global warming, etc. One example for extinction is the polar bears are highly endangered, because humans cause global warming and that causes the ice sheet to melt that supports the polar bear to survive because they depend on the ice to prey down seals(there main source of food) , therefore the polar bears are highly endangered due to human activities. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/198987/extinction) 2) Extirpated- When a specie is been completely removed from a particular area, ecosystem or habitat, as result...
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...maintain the health of ecosystems while human activity is able to have adverse impacts on both organisms and ecosystems. Sea turtle also plays key role in the sea ecosystem. This essay will indicate the important roles of sea turtles on two sea ecosystem, beaches and marine systems, and negative effects of human activity on the turtle and sea ecosystem. Sea turtles have played vital roles in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years. According to Ruckdeschel and Shoop (2006, p.2), there are seven species of sea turtles in the world’s oceans, including flatback, green, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, loggerhea and olive ridley. The roles of those species consist of maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coralreefs, providing habitat for other marine life, helping to balance marine food webs and facilitating nutrient cycling from water to land. To more specific, there is an influence of sea turtles on seagrass beds. Sea turtles, especially green sea turtles, is an animal eating seagrass. This action of the turtles assist in maintaining the health of the sea grass beds because sea grass needs to be constantly cut short to be healthy and help it grow across the sea floor. Wilson, Miller, Allison & Magliocca. (n.d.). Sea turtles also bring some benefits to Beach Dunes. Sea Turtle Conservancy (2014) has claimed that turtle eggs provide dune plants with the nutrients, which makes dune planes grow up and become stronger. These vital nutrients...
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...scientific study of the nature and status of Earth’s biodiversity. The main aim is protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystem from overly fast growing extinction rates. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of organisms that occupy a specific region. This includes all organisms from that region, the smallest creature to the largest mammals. The earth is a vast planet, which is growing and changing every day. Many things are out of our control, but there are also many things that are within our control. People play a direct impact on the environment as well as the wild life. Unfortunately a lot of our negative actions have led to the extinction of various species. Animals can be broken down into three different species, threatened, endangered and extinct. Threatened Species can be defined as a species commonly found in an area, that is at high risk of becoming endangered. "A threatened species may have a declining population or be exceptionally rare. Similar to endangered species, the cause of their decline is based and various factors such as habitat destruction, climate change or the introduction of an invasive species to their natural habitat" (Buchanan,M.). A good example of a Threatened Species is the Loggerhead Turtle. They are found globally, preferring temperate and subtropical waters. Loggerhead turtles and their eggs are hunted extensively in many parts of the world. "However, the main threat is from raccoons and wild boars, they can destroy more than 95...
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...scientific research and data. This is a part of science that relates to the status of earths biodiversities and the protection of ecosystems, species, and habitats. With protection being a key word that relates to keeping species from extinction. A human interaction that is put in place to help solve issues that arise in a scientific value of species and nature. Biodiversity is the number of species in a certain region, habitat, ecosystem, that includes plant life also. The overall data of organisms that are still within our regional ecosystems. A species it a group organism that thrives and lives in an ecosystem. Threaten species is a group of organisms that is a step below endangered, a species that is close to endangered. Such as the polar bears, as the global warming issue has implemented reasons to believe as part of the cause of this species for being on the threatened list (Jaymi Heimbuch, 2011). Judges have passed a provision to keep these animals on this list to see if humans can reduce and turn around the global warming affect in the ecosystem that polar bears reside. Endangered species are ones that are on the brink of extinction. The marine sea turtles have been on endangered species list due to the years it takes many of the new born turtles to mature. Many die off in the first year of life. Due to the food chain and human interaction, from fishing nets to eating of the eggs before they are hatched and nest are being raided by other species and beach goers (World...
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...PHILIPPINE FOREST Under our constitution, a forest is legally defined as “that portion of the public domain characterized by a predominant growth of trees or wood species, including nipa, mangrove, and all lands of the public domain not classified as agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, resettlement, minerals or grazing lands”. It is often said that life comes from the forest. It is an area of land where flora and fauna are present. Types of Philippine Forests: * Dipterocarp Forest Generally, dipterocarp forests are the major source of timber and other forest products. The dominant trees in this type are internationally known as “ Philippine Mahogany” the trade name of commercial woods which are light red to reddish brown in color. The apitong, guijo, lawan, mayapis, tangile and yakal. * Pine Forests Pine forests provide long fibers which are good in making strong material for cement bags, and also provide turpentine for paint manufacture. Pine forests are usually found in mountain region of high altitude, such as in Northern Luzon. * Molave (also called mulawin) They are highly valued for natural beauty and durability. Molave stands frequently in regions of distinct dry limestone ridges. Species that belong to this type are narra, ipil, tindalo, akle,and banuyo. * Mangroves (bakawan) These types of forests occur on tidal flats. They are found along the seacost extending along the streams where the water is brackish (mixed with...
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...semitropical climate with wet summers, dry winters, and is susceptible to hurricanes during the summer and early autumn months (Aber, 2009). Organisms found in the Everglades Plants The Everglades is home to a wide diversity of plants. The two million acre wetland ecosystem is inhibited by wetland plants that include sawgrass, bladderwort, cypress, mangrove trees, and others that serve as primary food sources and shelters for many consumers of this habitat (National Wildlife Federation, 2012). Animals The Everglades is home to numerous species of animals including those native to the lands, threatened, and considered endangered. Wildlife populaces include over 350 bird species including the Great Blue heron, great egret, and wood stork. Land dwellers that inhibit the Everglades include Alligator and crocodile reptiles, Florida panther, Burmese python, West-Indian Manatee, sea turtles, and raccoon just to name a few. The Everglades most endangered animal is the Florida panther, of which approximately only 80 now survive (National Wildlife Federation, 2012). Organisms in the Everglades Producers Consumers Decomposers Monocotyledons Manatee Bacteria Saw grass Alligator Gar Fungi Pond apple tree...
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...species is one whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction. 2. A threatened species is one that is vulnerable of becoming endangered in the near future. 3. In January 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Services reported 2,054 species worldwide that are endangered or threatened. 1,436 exist in the U.S. alone. 4. A species is declared extinct after many years of not being spotted. Because it takes so long to define an entire species as extinct, it is probable that there are many species already gone that we are unaware of. 5. A species is defined as endangered or threatened when it is compared against these five factors: * Damage to or destruction of its habitat * Overuse of the species for educational, recreational, or entertainment purposes * Disease or predation of the species * Lack of protection * Natural or manmade hazards to the continued life of the species 6. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) protects registered endangered species by removing them from the “take” list, which makes it unlawful for a person to shoot, harm, capture, trap, or attempt any such actions to the species. 7. Ultimately, the ESA strives to recover species from the endangered list by restoring their ecological health until they no longer need protection. 8. Factors that threaten the earth’s creatures include deforestation, bycatch (the unintentional capturing of sea creatures during fishing), water scarcity, erosion, pollution...
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...imported oil. There is also the argument that offshore drilling would affect military training and weapon testing. However, my argument is that offshore drilling poses a much greater threat to all civilization. When waste is spilled into the ocean it spreads throughout the water harming marine life and their habitat. It can affect their hearing, changes in their behavior and can even cause physical injuring or death. Much of the marine life is threatened by extinction. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has threatens our planet with environmental damage. Oil spills like this fill the air with toxins that raise concern for many health problems. When oil is recovered from the ocean floor chemicals and toxins come to the surface, which are the released into the air. This is a growing concern and should not be dismissed. The Center for Biological Diversity (2010) says that six months after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico, spilled oil still fouls beaches and wetlands, birds and endangered sea turtles continue to suffer crippling effects, and the...
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...most important factors that resulted from this has been the protection of endangered species. Many actions have been taken to ensure the protection of endangered species including two major policies: CITES and the Endangered Species Act. In 1966, Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act, this provided limited protection to a list of native animal species. The Departments of Agriculture, Interior and Defense were responsible for the protection of these species and the preservation of their habitats. This act also gave land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help maintain these natural habitats. The Endangered species act was amended in 1969 because more protection was needed. With the threat of worldwide extinction, the amendment called for an international meeting and changed the name to the Endangered Species Conservation Act. Several years later, in 1973, the United States and twenty-three other nations signed an international act called CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna. CITES monitors and restricts international commerce to protect species impacted by trade. The ideas of creating this convention began in the 60s, when several African countries noticed population declines in species that are commonly killed for their skins. At the time, jaguar skins were being imported to the US at rates of up to 13,000 skins per year. Because this treaty was international, it was widely...
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...any two plant species and any two animal species that are affecting the Everglades. What are the challenges facing the native species and how are they adapting to the changing environment? List 3 references. Plants – Australian pine- This plant was brought over to the Everglades and used for landscaping purposes from South pacific Islands and Australia. The tree’s roots disrupt the nesting of the native creatures such as the American crocs and turtles. Brazilian pepper plant- This pepper tree was brought over from Brazil to market the peppers. As birds ate the seeds, they begin to spread them from their feces. As these trees begin to spread throughout the Everglade, its dense structure allowed it to form concentrated thickets displacing native vegetation. Animals – Green iguana- These iguanas were imported from Central America as pets. As they begin to get to big, the owners started to let them free. They live off of the native vegetation and repopulate quickly. They also began to eat the native tree snails which are threatened and rare. Burmese python- Also brought over as pets from Southeast Asia, these pythons have...
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...Biodiversity Hotspot in Indo Burma Student’s Name Name of Institution Abstract Extinction has been happening over the years without concerns; however there are people who have emerged to create awareness on the importance of conserving the environment for their continuity. For this course some biodiversity hotspots have been identified which host a variety of endemic species which need to be protected. This paper seek to explore how climate change has affected the species, other threats that exist that endanger these species and what is being done to mitigate these threat. Biodiversity Hotspot in Indo Burma Map 1: Indo-Burma a Biodiversity hotspot (Myer, 2000) The biodiversity hotspots concept was brought about by a man called Norman Meyer. There are 25 identified hotspots all over the world and other potential ones are 9 in number. These areas share a similarity of having many endemic species and together they support 60% of world’s mammals, plants, birds, amphibians, and reptiles’ species. One of these hotspots includes the Indo-Burma. Termed as one of world’s biodiversity hotspots the Indo Burma spreads across the eastern parts of Bangladesh extending to the Indias North eastern regions, the southern parts of Bramaputra River, almost the whole of Myanmar and China’s southern and eastern parts of Yunnan Province also including Thailand and minute parts of Penisular Malaysia. Not forgetting the south China’s coastal lowlands, the off shore...
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...have invaded countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and have caused huge economic loss in agriculture and forestry (Pimentel, 2001). Meaning that because of the invasion of non-native species, native species had a decline and this had contributed as a factor in survival. Another factor being that in the past, cats and pigs have been responsible for causing an extinction in various animal species (Pimentel, 2001). Natural growth in the wild has many different variables and simulating a natural climate and growth in a short experiment would be quite difficult. Human impacts also change the survival rate of species, and many other variables are included with this change in environment that differs from natural causes. Dead sea turtles have been found in Brazil where the cause of death was because of plastic bag debris and other fishing activities, human caused affects (Bugonia, 2001). Before human impacts, bird species had one extinction per every one million species each year, and after human impacts were caused, the rate increased to twenty-six extinctions per one million species each year (Pimm, 2006). Simulating human impacts in an experiment of short duration can also be difficult, but something needs to be done in order to save currently living species. When an organism can survive for a long duration of time though, this is a good sign that the species can live in the new and changing environment and evolution is...
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...Endangered Species Act Extinctions have occurred throughout our planet's natural history. Some species develop as others die out, making space in the ecosystem for those best suited to any given habitat's natural conditions. Long before human beings arrived, fossil records show that populations of animals evolved, thrived, declined, and became extinct. However, the rate of extinctions in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries drastically increased to an estimated 100 to 1,000 times the normal expected rate of extinction. The majority of these accelerated extinctions can be directly traced to mankind's impact upon the natural environment in the form of hunting, fishing, agriculture, development, pollution, habitat encroachment, disease, and global climate change. Due to the increasing number of endangered species, as well as, species becoming extinct, the United States Congress decided to take action. Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1966, providing a means for listing native animal species as endangered and giving them limited protection. The Departments of Interior, Agriculture, and Defense were to seek to protect listed species, and, insofar as consistent with their primary purposes, preserve the habitats of such species. The Act also authorized the Service to acquire land as habitat for endangered species. In 1969, Congress amended the Act to provide additional protection to species in danger of “worldwide extinction” by prohibiting their...
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