Introduction
The world has undergone drastic changes, with the Industrial Revolution paving the way for businesses and companies to thrive. While the global economy is getting significant reinforcement from such revolutions, the environment and its fundamental elements, such as plants and animal species, continue to perish. Randall (2018) indicates that the rate of decline in endangered species is alarming.
Despite these substantial impacts and concerns, the number of endangered animals and plants continues to rise, with over 30000 species at risk of extinction (Shumaker, 2020). The significant impacts of these issues on ecology cannot be overstated. It is a fundamental factor that limits the number of plant and animal species, consequently impacting the entire ecosystem. It affects human well-being and peaceful coexistence by reducing biodiversity (Randall, 2018).
This calls for immediate proactive actions to help the ecosystem. However, it will emphasize efforts to protect animals and their habitats, as well as plant species, and educate the public to enhance their awareness. This analysis emphasizes that more needs to be done to prevent species extinction, so it does not continue to affect ecosystems, endangered animals, and the overall quality of human life.
Evidence for Arguments
The preservation of endangered species has become a pressing issue, particularly to prevent the negative consequences of their extinction. However, human activities have become a significant factor in contributing to the extinction of animal and plant species. Various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have become extinct due to economic growth and development.
As humans strive to live, enhance industrial production, and promote economic growth, they do so at the expense of various animal and plant species. Such human activities include extensive mining, logging, and urbanization, all of which contribute to environmental destruction and consequently affect animal habitats. Over 70% of the land environment across the U.S. has been altered to accommodate these activities (Shumaker, 2020). This has led to extensive displacement and consequential extinction of animals and plants that survive in the areas under construction and mining.
Human activities and their impacts on ecological systems are evident in many regions. In mangrove forests, for example, there has been a growing concern about various animal species, including fish, becoming extinct due to human activities (Roy et al., 2023). This is caused by the alteration and destruction of birds’ nesting grounds as they move to the region. The same thing is happening to coral reefs in Hawaii, which are becoming increasingly hazardous for marine animals to survive due to human activities.
Ultimately, animals in those regions are losing their habitat, making it more difficult for them to reproduce and maintain their populations. This is a growing concern, and its impact continues to endanger various animals as their habitats and ecological systems are destroyed to pave the way for economic and agricultural activities. At the same time, humans have been caught up in unfavorable practices to sustain their way of life and a sense of pride.
For example, the growing issues of poaching, commercial hunting, and overhunting have led to massive animal extinctions. Most animals, including the American bison, were among those species that have perished due to such practices. They were hunted to near extinction in the previous century (Shumaker, 2020). The passenger pigeon also falls into this group, and its demise has been attributed mainly to overhunting in the United States (Shumaker, 2020). In this regard, human activities will continue to endanger animal and plant species unless necessary actions are taken to protect their habitats.
Additionally, it is increasingly critical that the lives of these species are preserved for the sake of the ecosystem. Recognizing that species loss can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem is crucial. Many species are vital to ensuring that today’s environment will thrive. However, the alarming rate of species extinction poses significant threats (Shumaker, 2020). This is more daring and severe than the typical food chain system and flow.
When one actor is removed from the line (i.e., a species becomes extinct), the entire system is disrupted, and maintaining balance becomes a significant issue (Shumaker, 2020). Consequently, both the prey and the predators will experience a substantial impact from the change in the food chain. When a prey species becomes extinct, all the predators that depend on it for food and survival perish. They will not get a way to survive and sustain their lives.
Additionally, the predator’s extinction affects the prey’s survival, as their numbers eventually increase, thereby enhancing competition for food and shelter. They begin developing adaptation efforts, where only the strongest will survive. Still, their numbers will continue to suffer due to overfeeding and the reduction of the safety and sustainability of their habitats (Shumaker, 2020). This leads to their extinction as they struggle to survive.
The species caught up in the process of death will feel the immediate impact, but this also grows over time, and consequently, the entire ecosystem begins to suffer the same consequences. To some extent, studies have shown that the demise of one species can be more detrimental, leading to the deaths of other species and an extinction domino effect (Shumaker, 2020). No species stands a chance of expected survival with such extreme impacts.
Even amid the dire state of species loss, as the extinction domino effect endangers the entire ecosystem when one organism is eliminated, there is hope. This will be possible by implementing laws and policies, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which aims to restore species’ lives under threat of destruction. This act primarily focuses on those at risk of destruction and extinction (Quinn, 2016; Marrone, 2013). Based on its fundamental provisions, the legislation serves as a cautionary and punitive measure, warning all humans and industries against engaging in activities that threaten animal and plant life. Through this lens, it offers a viable framework for the conservation and protection of the environment, laying the grounds for various organisms to survive and reproduce.
Additionally, the Endangered Species Act identifies areas where endangered species lack the potential to thrive. Thus, providing such habitats and support to help them survive is critical. In light of this provision, the act recommends and implements strategies that establish protective environments and habitats for all threatened species in the ecosystem (Marrone, 2013). While attaining this, the act ensures that federal agencies establish critical habitats and take necessary actions to support, protect, and strengthen policies that preserve these endangered species from any threats that might jeopardize their well-being and survival (Marrone, 2013).
While this act offers a substantial outcome in persevering and supporting the existence of endangered species, there is a cost. For example, several critics have raised concerns about its effectiveness and ability to achieve its goals. This is accompanied by various signs that suggest it may not be practical after all, including the fact that over 36 species have gone extinct since its emergence (Marrone, 2013). Nevertheless, there is hope that it has also led to the rebirth of many other species. It is, so far, the most critical legislation for saving species from extinction.
Rebuttal to Opposition
The effort to combat the drastic rate of species extinction continues to face heated debate worldwide, despite the significant efforts of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Some argue that animal extinction is a natural process and that human activities have no impact on it (Shumaker, 2020). This challenges the fundamental provisions previously given, emphasizing that human activities are the primary cause of species extinction worldwide. In their arguments, they suggest that there is no need to take actions that promote species preservation, as no effort will prevent natural events from unfolding (Shumaker, 2020).
This could have been true if there had been empirical studies supporting their assertions. Even though they pinpoint certain instances in which animal or plant extinction has been driven by natural causes, such as the end of the ice age, which led to the massive extinction of species like the mammoth, these are not enough to argue against the impacts of human activities. In addition, there are instances that science has not yet proven. Still, more studies are emerging, and numerous facts are being uncovered about the direct impacts of human activities on species extinction.
However, empirical studies support the argument that human activities are at the center of destroying animals’ and plants’ habitats, jeopardizing the normal reproduction and growth of different species (Quinn, 2016). Various factors promoting species extinction, including climate change, overfishing, hunting, and habitat loss, are closely linked to human actions. These are undeniable pieces of evidence that disprove counterarguments against the urgent need to support endangered species.
Conclusion
The evidence from empirical studies and experts’ assertions is clear: human activities are the primary drivers of species endangerment and extinction, necessitating proactive efforts to mitigate human impacts on the environment and the habitats of organisms. In this process, the importance of maintaining Earth’s biodiversity cannot be overlooked. This is because species loss is far-reaching and overwhelming for the standard ecosystem setup.
Even human well-being is at stake when the rate of species extinction continues at this radical rate. This paves the way for more efforts to take charge, including the current Endangered Species Act, which is at the forefront of giving humans a significant leap ahead in this fight against species extinction. The law offers a promising strategy to lay the groundwork for protecting animals and plants at risk of extinction, with the primary goal of establishing critical habitats to save the listed species.
However, such efforts are being undermined by counterarguments that offer a different perspective, which might deter efforts to restore species ecology and habitats. In such a situation, where arguments suggest that extinction is a natural process, it is crucial to recognize that they are based on irrational thoughts, and empirical studies provide evidence to the contrary. For the benefit of the entire ecosystem, human survival, and the protection of the most endangered species, everyone must join hands to take action to protect animal and plant habitats and restore a favorable ecological system that supports the lives of all species.
References
Marrone, C. C. (2013). Endangered Species Act. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Quinn, M. (2016). Endangered species: Threats, conservation and future research. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Randall, J. A. (2018). Endangered species: A reference handbook. ABC-CLIO.
Roy, P., Pal, S. C., Chakrabortty, R., Chowdhuri, I., Saha, A., & Shit, M. (2023). Effects of climate change and sea-level rise on coastal habitat: Vulnerability assessment, adaptation strategies, and policy recommendations. Journal of Environmental Management, 330, 117187.
Shumaker, R. W. (Ed.). (2020). Saving endangered species: Lessons in wildlife conservation from Indianapolis prize winners. JHU Press.