Death sentence for endangered species

Endangered species and habitats like victims of war battlefields are ranking by environmentalist specialists. They think this is the most efficient way to protect species, even if need to give up such animals like Southern Rockhopper Penguin, the Chinese River Dolphin or give up habitats like Mangrove forests.

Considerably decrease number of species on the earth and unfortunately evident that impossibility save all of them. Because of human effects too many species have been endangered and no amount of money which could be protected all from extinction. Therefore even if it sounds unpleasant have to rank them.  Triage is a medical expression. It’s the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition (for example in a war battlefield). In recent years nature conservation try to take over this method for rating species but also but this is them most disputable method.

Function or genetics?

Researchers propose several aspects for the classification. Some experts believe that species need classify based on their function . They think should protect those endangered species which influence on survive of other species as well. They are keystone species like the Krill which is a small sea crustacean and it’s food for many other creatures. Or for example the woodpecker which with its nature-transformer activity can create habitat for other species. Its disadvantage that it working only at in the case of very few well- examined systems.

According to other researcher species should classify based on their genetics (Evolutionary  Distinct and Globally Endangered of Existence). They think have to focus on species which are the most endangered genetically. For example the Bactrian camel, the Western long-beaked echidna or the Japanese giant salamander. It really helps protect genetic changes. But what happens if a complete genetic branch become endangered?

Many of the experts believe not only should protect some species but need protect whole ecosystems. Hotspots have individual floras which were in serious danger but their protection helps protect great variety of genetic and ecosystem as well. Because of the climate change this system can’t work well. Species are wandering and this system be attached to areas.

Winners and Losers

If the funcion matters

It favours for such species which have special funcion. For example the grey wolves are very important in regulating of their prey animals’s population. In contrast it the Chinese river dolphin doesn’t have any significant function.

If the genetics matters

Goal is to protect great variety of genetic. The California condors are rare remains species of the Pleistocene, so they count critically endangered, while while the Sage Grouse have lots close relatives.

If the hotspot matters

In this case prefer is protection of species-rich ecosystems. Giant redwood forests give homes for variety of unique plants and animals while mangroves forests’s fauna is much poorer.

Death sentence?

 ”People think these classifications mean that environmentalist give up species.” – says one of researchers. But with this methods they can identify easier species which need protection, which will be extinct or which could be survivor with more material help.

Written by Ilona Kaszanyi

Tagged Animals, discuss, environment discussion, Environmental protection, protect the environment