Bio 100 Homework due 11/05/12 Name : Nicholas Oliveira Go to the website on cheetah conservation www.Cheetah.org and read the following sections under the tabs About Cheetahs: Intro, Genetic Diversity, & Race for Survival 1. Why are cheetahs endangered? Our attitudes and misconceptions about these species have led to their endangerment because many people deal with their fear by eliminating predators. 2. What are the 5 most common causes of extinction?
There are about 10,000 animals on the endangered species list. That is a big number that needs to be brought down in order to maintain biodiversity. However, that number is slowly shrinking thanks to the endangered species act passed in 1973. This act authorizes the listing of species as endangered and threatened, prohibits unauthorized taking, possession, sale, and transport of endangered species, provides authority to acquire land for the conservation of listed species, and authorizes the assessment of civil and criminal penalties for violating the act. One of these endangered animals is the Florida Panther.
Alaska is one of our last wilderness areas. Future generations should be allowed to enjoy this beautiful state that is home to 800 species of mammals. Drilling would immediately affect 1.5 million acres of Alaska. It would disturb polar bear dens and caribou calving grounds. It would interfere with millions of migratory birds that feed on its tundra plains.
The legs of the cat are very muscular and the back legs are much longer than the front, allowing the cats to increase their leaping abilities (Knight, 2005). Their fur is a solid, light brown color, but when they are young cubs, the fur will have spots, similar to a snow leopard (“Basic facts”, 2014). This animal, along with its cubs, has a varied geography across the western hemisphere. The species spreads from Canada all the way down to Argentina (“Basic facts”, 2014). In the United States, there are over 30,000 mountain lions (“Basic facts”, 2014), which makes this cat the largest member of the cat family present in the country (“Mountain Lion”, 2014).
Burmese Pythons are dark-colored snakes with many brown blotches bordered in black down the back. The perceived attractiveness of their skin pattern contributes to their popularity with both reptile keepers and the leather industry. The pattern is similar in colour, but different in actual pattern from the African Rock Python (Python sebae), sometimes resulting in confusion of the two species outside of their natural habitats. The African Rock Python can generally be distinguished by its tighter pattern of markings, compared to the Burmese Python, which has bolder patterns, similar to those seen on a giraffe. [6] In the wild, Burmese pythons grow to 3.7 metres (12 ft) on average,[3][4] while specimens of more than 4 metres (13 ft) are uncommon.
Biodiversity is highly important when determining the vulnerability and resilience of an ecosystem as species, genetic and population diversity can have detrimental effects on the ability of an ecosystem to survive and recover after damage. Stability within an ecosystem is determined by the levels of biodiversity, whether species be threatened or thriving. Large species and genetic diversity is important as variation within a species leads to greater ability to recover after dramatic damage and disruption. Within the Daintree Rainforest ecosystem, cassowaries and other vulnerable fauna species are abundant due to supportive habitats and lowland areas suitable and supportive for breeding habits. Small changes in an ecosystem can highly damage the abundance of specific species such as insects and marine life (fish species are adapted to very regulated temperatures, any change in water temp can often be detrimental to fish species).
11-25-2012 The Invasiveness and in Depth Information of Reptiles in the United States of America Andy Abstract Reptiles originated around 320-310 million years ago during the Carboniferous period, having evolved from advanced reptile-like amphibians that became increasingly adapted to life on dry land. Invasive species are a large problem in the United States. Biological invasions can result in numerous harmful impacts on the environment and species. Nile monitor lizards (Varanus niloticus), Burmese Pythons (Python Molurus Bivittatus) and Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga Irregularis), have become established southern Florida. All of these animals are very large, with abilities to adapt to a new location and reproduce at an alarming rate, these
Firstly, the Everglades are an important ecosystem which reduces flooding and replenish aquifers but human actions are having a huge impact on the landscape. The rapid urban and agricultural development in the area has decreased the size of the wetlands dramatically which affects the organisms found there. This is especially important as it is home to several endangered species. Not only that, but invasive species that threaten existing wildlife by preying on or competing with them. According to Everglades.org, they’ve “contributed to nearly 70 percent of extinctions in the United States” and are the “primary cause of species endangerment.” The water itself is a major cause of decline to the area, firstly because of poor water management leading to water levels being too low or too high at the wrong times has caused a decline in many species.
Zebra Mussel Prevention: What Can Be Done? The infestation of zebra mussels across the United States presents severe biological, ecological, and economic problems. The facts are known: zebra mussels are an incredibly invasive and harmful species to their surrounding habitats. So, what is the most economically effective way to prevent and control infestation? Many environmental organizations across the United States deal with this very problem.
Endangered Animals in New Jersey New Jersey is home to many species of wildlife but many are endangered including reptiles, birds, amphibians and mammals. The numbers decline mostly due to human factors. An endangered species is at high risk of becoming extinct and we must take steps to prevent it as each animal is important to our ecosystem. Some of the animals endangered in New Jersey are not endangered throughout the United States. Timber Rattlesnake The timber rattlesnake is one of many reptiles in New Jersey.