THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Presented byDivya Pithwa Roll no.:26 Shruti Banargee Roll no.:29

 Biodiversity

is the variety of all forms of life throughout an ecosystem.  High rates of extinction are quickly reducing biodiversity especially in areas of the world with high human population density and growth.  The direct and indirect effects that humans have had on biodiversity are challenging.

Places on earth with some of the greatest biodiversity such as: South America, Equatorial Africa, India, Indonesia and Coastal regions show the greatest density and fastest rate of growth of people.

Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity.

   

Desertification. Deforestation. Coral reef degradation. Extinction of wildlife.

 Urbanization.  Agriculture.  Mining

and logging.  Climate change.  Pollution.  Pesticides and toxic chemicals.  Industrialization.

HABITAT LOSS IS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF SPECIES EXTINCTION WORLDWIDE

 Creating

more and more wildlife sanctuaries and national parks for habitat conservation.  Moderating industrialization and urbanization.  Controlling pollution.  Checking illegal mining activities.

 Poaching

is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals  Simple as taking an animal without a permit  Using a prohibited weapon/ trap  Stealing an animal from a zoo/ sanctuary  Common in developing countries  Poaching leads to extinction

 Hides

,meats, and bones are sold to dealers  Leopard & tiger skin: Clothes & decorative items  Elephant tusks & rhino horns: jewelry, flatware handles, piano keys, sculptures  Religious significances  Collectors and leather products.  Traditional medicines.

 Elephant  Rhinoceros  Leopard  Tiger  Lion  Panda

 Subsistence

farmers: kills animals that threaten to destroy seasons crops  Local tribesmen: kill animals for religious or medicinal purposes  Renegade clans: hired by government officials, private firms, western entrepreneurs, warlords to acquire rare animal parts.

 FBI, National

Guard, local law

enforcement  Environmental Investigating Agency  US Fish and Wildlife Service  State divisions/departments of wildlife  African Wildlife Foundation, International Anti Poaching Foundation, African Conservancy  Train, equip, deploy anti-poaching rangers  Provide free education and recruit volunteers

Man-wildlife conflict refers to the interaction between wild animals and people and the resultant negative impact on people or their resources, or wild animals or their habitat.

It occurs when wildlife needs overlap with those of human populations, creating costs to residents and wild animals.

 Crop

damage  Livestock degradation  Injuries to people  Loss of human life  Damage to property  Injuries to wildlife  Animal deaths  Destruction of habitat

Developed and developing countries can use police and military to deter poachers

Joining and donating money to your favorite wildlife protection and conservation organization

 Humans

require a great deal of resources and space and have not had a record of sharing.  The earth is losing biodiversity at a rate not seen since the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.  Our increasing numbers will certainly increase the rate at which animals and plants are lost.