Species Extinction

W H Y S H O U L D W E C A R E?

Living organisms keep the planet habitable. Plants and bacteria carry out photosynthesis, which produces oxygen. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which canhelp in the fight against global warming.

The monetary value of goods and services provided by natural ecosystems (including gas regulation, waste treatment, and nutrient recycling) is estimated to amount to some 33 trillion dollars per year – nearly twice the global production resulting from human activities.

Many species are of immense value to humans as sources of food, medicines, fuel and building materials. Between 10,000 and 20,000 plant species are used in medicines worldwide.

Currently about 100 million metric tons of aquatic organisms, including fishes, molluscs, and crustaceans, are taken from the wild every year and represent a vital contribution to world food security.

Meat from wild animals (wild meat) forms a critical contribution to food sources and livelihoods in many areas particularly in countries with high levels of poverty and food insecurity. A huge range of species are involved including monkeys, tapirs, antelopes, pigs, pheasants, turtles and snakes. The diversity of nature helps meet the recreational, emotional, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic needs of people.

C A N E X T I N C T I O N B E S T O P P E D?

It takes huge efforts at all levels, from individual to global, to halt species extinction, a constant input and analysis of data on species, their habitats and threats.

The tools in the conservation arsenal are many and varied and include:

• Effective management and restoration of habitats and ecosystems (including establishment of protected areas and protected area networks)

• Enforcement of key agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Migratory Species, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

• Creating incentives and finance for conservation

• Equitable sharing of costs and benefits

• Assessment of biodiversity and related social and economic factors

• Captive breeding and reintroduction, including seed banks

• Conservation information management and communication

• Limiting the use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemical pollutants

• Training and technical capacity-building.

source : http://www.countdown2010.net/documents/Extinction_media_brief_2004.pdf