People frequently speak of the need to save the Earth, but what exactly are they trying to save? A large part of these efforts involve saving plants and animals from extinction or total disappearance from the Earth. These efforts usually target population of plants and animals that have become endangered or which have a population loss of over 70 per cent in the last three generations or 10 years. In order to save or conserve these species, efforts are made to reverse or limit negative trends which destroy where they live, breed and consume their food.

There has always been the loss of some species; however, conservationists say that there is major cause for concern as the rate of loss of species has been extraordinary. In fact, some say that up to 100 species worldwide are being lost daily.

A species of plant or animal is considered extinct when scientists say the last of them has died. This means there are no more left. Although some species have resurfaced, many once declared extinct will never be seen alive again. The Jamaica iguana was once thought to be extinct but resurfaced in the 1990s. Once the natural environment of plants or animals is changed, it is often difficult for them to adapt and adjust to new arrangements. The more fragile of these die.

So what causes species to become extinct? A part of the reason is invasive species. Sometimes these are deliberately introduced to solve a particular problem such as the introduction of the mongoose in Jamaica to rid the island of snakes. Another reason is the destruction of their natural habitat or the place where they live. This sometimes occurs when people clear lands for commercial use for houses or farming. Then there are businesses which trade in unusual, rare animals for their body parts or because they are considered exotic. Sometimes in order to acquire the body parts, the entire animal is killed and the desired part removed, such as the tusks of elephants.

There are also invasive or non-native species which threaten and displace native species, sometimes to the point of extinction. One most recent example is the lion fish which has found a new home in Caribbean waters and is now threatening our native fish stock. Our response is to eat them to extinction!

Next week we will look at our endangered species and what we are doing to save them.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Send questions or comments to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com or follow me on Twitter @ AnnRodriques