Habitat Loss

PICTURE: This image shows what
used to be a forest, but it was taken under
construction. Many habitats have been
lost because of this destruction.

Summary:

 http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Habitat-Loss.aspx

     There are many causes of habitat loss (in the United States) such as natural weather occurrences, construction, destruction, and fragmentation. When humans dramatically influence an ecosystem, that ecosystem may no longer be able to provide food, water, coverage, and areas to raise their young. It is sad to say that there are fewer places left in the wild that can be called a home for these animals.

     The different types of habitat loss are mainly caused by destruction, fragmentation, and degradation. An example of habitat destruction would be a bulldozer pushing down trees; many organisms live in and on trees, so by taking these trees down, animals and plants are being killed and taken away. Habitat fragmentation is when terrestrial wildlife is cut into fragments by roads and other types of development. Aquatic animals may no longer have a home due to building dams or water diversions. Habitat degradation is when a habitat is polluted or disruption by invasive species. The loss of habitat makes it difficult for species to find places to feed their young and rest.

     Other leading factors of habitat loss in the U.S. include agriculture, land used for development, pollution, global warming, and water development. All of these things are slowly wearing away habitats of animals and they have nowhere to live their life.

My Opinion/Reflection:

     I always knew that humans are the main reasons for habitat loss. It’s so sad to think that innocent animals have no homes because of us, but it’s not like humans purposely take away their habitats. Humans need to continue with their lives too, but I think we also need to be aware or how our actions shape the world around us. Before people go taking a bulldozer and taking down a handful of trees, I think environmentalists or scientists should inspect the trees and area around them for habitats and organisms; if there are animals and endangered species near there, the bulldozers should just leave! No way should they kill animals especially if they are endangered.

Questions:

1    1. Although there is probably not much you can do physically to end so much habitat loss, what other ways can you think of that we can do to save these animals?

2. Do you think it is important that the government kicks in before bulldozers kick down?

  

3. How does agriculture affect habitat loss? Explain.

4. Since we cannot control the weather, what can humans do after a natural disaster happens to preserve habitats?

5. Why do you think we don’t see much about habitat loss in the media if it is such a concerning topic? Explain.

Australia delays decision on koala listing  


http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/16/world/asia/koala-australia-endangered/index.html

 This graphic shows a dead koala lying on the road. Many koalas are hit or killed by cars in Australia. As a result, the number of them is decreasing. 

Summary
         As few as 43,000 koalas are left in Australia. Habitat loss, disease, dog attacks, car accidents, and hunters are killing them. These animals are defenseless to bush fires and droughts. Today, more than 1,700 species could be facing the threat of extinction, but there is no way of knowing for sure. However, scientists use clues to predict and see if the population of a specific animal will decrease.
       As a result, some koala conservationists believe the national icon of the country should be added to the endangered species list. However, environment minister, Tony Burke says he needs more time to evaluate the new information. Hopefully, his decision will be made, before April 30, 2012.
       Chief executive of the Australian Koala Foundation, Deborah Tabart said the minister wanted to avoid making a decision because it was becoming a problem, before the upcoming Queensland state election in March.This is unfortunate because politics should not be interfering when listing a species as endangered. Every selection should be based on scientific evidence.
        There are many places where the population of the koala is high. In some areas of Victoria and South Africa koalas are "blooming." In the states of Queensland and New South Wales, there was a large decline of koalas. The most koalas in the state of Queensland are found in a growing city where housing is not that affordable. If the city continues to progress, then I believe the marsupials will eventually decrease in population. Koalas are rare in South Australia.
        A koala being known as a endangered species is an issue that has been considered three times in the last fifteen years by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC.) However, they declared that there was not enough information to list them as endangered by federal law. Fortunately, the United States considers koalas to be threatened species so they can get the proper care they need. Internationally, the koala is listed as "least concerned." Koalas are currently not granted any extra protection in Australia, but campaigners are hoping these innocent animals will stay alive.

Opinion\Reflection 
         What is Australia without koalas? As a future tourist, I protest! Stop waiting and give them more protection. Their population has already been severely impacted. The sooner they are safer the more successful the continuation of their species will be. Humans destroy what they can't control and claim land that wasn't given to them to start with. They destroy natural resources for greed and ruin environments. As a result, we should at least help out the poor creatures around us, especially  threatened or endangered ones. We need to save the planet, but no one can mess with Mother Nature. Is Tony Burke waiting until the adorable koalas are extinct, before he makes a decision? Hopefully, he will make the right one.

Questions
How can we help protect endangered species? Explain.
If koalas became extinct, what impact will it have on the earth or in the surrounding areas in which they live?
Why is the extinction of species not always a bad thing?

Deforestation
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/science/deforestation/

Picture:

This is a picture of a forest fire that the US based Cargill corporation intentionally lighted in order to make space for a soya plantation. This burning releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the air.

Summary: 

    Deforestation via forest fires releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the air, which is part of the reason for global warming. This goes along with humans burning fossil fuels, disrupting the carbon cycle by releasing huge amounts of carbon into the air each year. However, with deforestation it is even worse for the environment. Not only, is carbon dioxide being released into the air, but the very trees that take in the carbon dioxide and keep the cycle balanced are being used as fuel. This is doubling the damage we do to the environment because it cannot be reversed. 

    Also, deforestation destroys the habitat of thousands of plants and animals that rely on the forest to survive. If the trees are  cut down or burned, many animals that used that tree now need to find a new home and build a new shelter. If plants and animals are constantly pushed backwards, one can only imagine what this may be doing to the communities. 

    If we wish to stop this terrible process, we must stop deforestation and continue reforestation. Planting new trees and protecting them in order to soak up carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses such as methane which cause global warming. This process can easily be stopped, and it is a shame that nothing substantial has been done so far.

Reaction:

It is a shame that this process is allowed to proceed. This is clearly a cause of global warming, yet not enough is being done. I hear people whining and complaining about global warming, yet nobody seems to realize that they themselves are part of the problem. Deforestation is a danger to wildlife, as well as ourselves. It creates room for plantations and farms, and helps some people, but meanwhile it destroys ecosystems and harms the entire world. Why is this allowed to continue? Why has nothing been done to stop it?

Questions:

1. What can be done by the government to slow deforestation?

2. How does deforestation harm you?

3. What point of view do you have on this problem? Why?

4. How can you help stop deforestation?