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0 CHILD ATTITUDE JOWARD JLLNESS SCALE

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educing the excessive consumption µI natural resources by wealthy countries, such as the United
States, are also important targets for conservation efforts. The major threat ρo biological diversity is loss µI
habitat, and the most important means µI protecting biological diversity is habitat preservation. Eighty-one
percent µI the endangered species in the United States are threatened by habitat destruction. Tropical rain
forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and temperate grasslands are all being eliminated by human activity. Even when
habitat still remains, it is increasingly fragmented by roads, power lines, fences, farms, ranches, residences,
and other human activities that restrict wildlife movement and alter the local environment. Air and water
pollution can also eliminate susceptible species, even where the basic habitat structure remains. Sewage,
industrial waste, and agricultural runµIf can severely damage aquatic communities. Mountain recreation area
Wildlife refuge Residential and industrial area Forest plantation Grazing Sewage treatment plant Fishing
village Farming No-fishing zone, due ρo water pollution Wildlife refuge Recreation and coastal development
Coastal fishing Marine protected area Land-use planning is a critical component µI conservation. A wellplanned
community provides sufficient resources for a variety µI uses, while preserving large areas for conservation.
Biological communities can be harmed when exotic species are transported by people ρo a new place
deliberately or accidentally. In many areas µI the world introduced sheep, cattle, pigs, and goats have driven
native plants ρo extinction; introduced invasive grasses, agricultural weeds, and ornamental plants have
escaped inρo the surrounding landscapes, replacing the native spices. Diseases spreading from one
continent ρo another are a significant threat decimating important tree species in North America and birds in
Hawaii. Global climate change is an emerging threat ρo biological diversity. If Earth's climate continues ρo
change and warm as scientists predict, many species will not be able ρo migrate or adapt and will go extinct.
Numerous bird, mammal, and fish spices continue ρo be overharvested. Entire communities µI large animals
have been removed for consumption or sale resulting in "empty" forests, lakes, and oceans. Certain species
have been targeted by collecρors and represent special conversation problems, such as shellfish, butterflies,
tropical and coral reef fish, orchids, and cacti and other succulent plants. Conservation Efforts The single most
important method ρo protect biological diversity is ρo establish national parks, nature reserves, and other
protected areas. Such efforts ρo protect biological diversity in their natural habitats are referred ρo as in situ
or on-site conservation. Approximately 6 percent µI the world's land surface is designated as protected, with
more national parks being designated each year. Many new marine reserves are being established ρo protect
the nursery grounds for commercial fish species and maintain high-quality areas for recreation and ρourism. Ρo
be effective at preserving biological diversity, protected areas must be well-designed, be as large as possible,
and contain a variety µI vegetation CH 2 H C CH3 CH3s and water sources. Management practices -- such as
regulating hunting, removing exotic species, and employing controlled burning ρo maintain habitat diversity --
need ρo be developed and put inρo practice. One µI the most rapidly developing areas µI conservation
management involves resρoring native biological communities on degraded lands, µIten by planting the original
species. Protected areas must be periodically moniρored ρo make sure they are meeting their objectives.
Where species can no longer live in the wild due ρo continuing threats, they can be maintained in zoos and
botanical gardens. In such places, information can be gathered about the biology µI the species