Alison Meyers
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- Pollution. Ecosystems can be exposed to many types of pollutants. From agricultural and industrial runoff to microplastics, contaminants can harm or kill plants and wildlife.
- Climate Change. In Canada, the rate of warming has increased to nearly double the global average. A rapidly changing climate can make it more difficult for species to find food or migrate.
- Habitat Loss and Fragmentation. Habitat loss is the greatest threat to species in Canada and globally. Protecting and restoring natural habitats is one of the most effective ways to help wildlife.
- Invasive Species. Introduced species compete with native species for space, food and other resources. Some even prey on native species.
Browse the list of endangered, vulnerable, and threatened species by common name, scientific name, and conservation status. Learn more about the work of WWF to protect these animals from extinction.
Common NameScientific NameConservation Status ↓Panthera pardus orientalisCritically EndangeredDiceros bicornisCritically EndangeredPongo pygmaeusCritically EndangeredGorilla gorilla diehliCritically Endangered- Overview
- Human beings and endangered species
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An endangered species is any species that is at risk of extinction because of a rapid decrease in its population or a loss of its critical habitat.
What role does human activity play in causing species to become endangered?
Roughly 99 percent of threatened and endangered species are at risk because of human activities. The principal threats are habitat loss and degradation, the spread of invasive species, the growing influence of global warming, chemical pollution, unsustainable hunting, and disease.
What organizations determine which organisms are endangered species?
Among the organizations connected with assessing which organisms are endangered species are the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and the Red List of Threatened Species, created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
endangered species, any species that is at risk of extinction because of a sudden rapid decrease in its population or a loss of its critical habitat. Biodiverse regions that require protection on the grounds that they host a significant number of endangered species are called hot spots.
Roughly 99 percent of threatened species are at risk because of human activities alone. By the early 21st century it could be said that human beings (Homo sapiens) are the greatest threat to biodiversity and are the major drivers of biodiversity loss. The principal threats to species in the wild are:
1.Habitat loss and habitat degradation
2.The spread of introduced species (that is, non-native species that negatively affect the ecosystems they become part of)
3.The growing influence of global warming and chemical pollution
4.Unsustainable hunting
5.Disease
Learn about the factors that threaten biodiversity and the efforts to protect endangered species. Find out how human activities, climate change, pollution, and disease affect the survival of plants and animals.
An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation.
People also ask
What is an endangered species?
What is the Red List of Threatened Species?
What are the world's most endangered animals?
What is considered a critically endangered species?
- Javan Rhinos. Once found throughout south-east Asia, Javan rhinos have suffered a staggering decline in their numbers due to hunting and habitat loss.
- Amur Leopard. The Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world, with only around 100 individuals left in the wild. Although their wild population seems to be stable and increasing, these leopard subspecies are still critically endangered since 1996.
- Sunda Island Tiger. The Sunda Island tiger, or the Sumatran tiger, is the smallest tiger subspecies in the world, weighing up to 140kg. For reference, the tigers that live in the Amur region are the biggest of all the big cats where males can weigh up to twice as much as Sunda Island tigers.
- Mountain Gorillas. The Mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, which lives in two isolated populations in the high-altitude forests up in the volcanic, mountainous regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, and in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda.
Learn about the IUCN Red List, the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Find out which species are Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, and how you can help protect them.
WWF is a global organization that works to protect wildlife and their habitats, and to reduce the threats of climate change and deforestation. Learn about their goals, impact, and how you can help them conserve nature and people.
