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Conservation

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/collections/p0085njx

Introduction

What is extinction? Why are extinction rates rising? What activities by humans are leading to

loss of biodiversity?

Human populations have increased in size rapidly

Humans are consuming more of the Earths resources and creating more waste.

Why are extinction rates rising?

Clearing natural vegetation to grow food leads to habitat reduction and loss of biodiversity

Hunting animals for food or sport reduces wild populations

What activities by humans are leading to loss of biodiversity?

Pest control Introduction of non

native species Pollution

Human activities leading to loss of biodiversity

Active intervention or management to preserve or restore habitats or individual species

Conservation

What type of arguments are these? Wild organisms are useful for design solutions,

new drugs or new commercial molecules. The natural environment is beautiful and gives

people pleasure and relief from stress. Animals and plants have a right to exist. They

have adapted perfectly to their niche. Natural habitats form and preserve soil,

regulate the proportion of gases in the atmosphere, contribute to the water cycle, recycle nutrients and provide crop pollinators.

Why bother?