Animal Endangerment in Brazil
Brazil is home to some of the world’s most diverse wildlife, with over 2,900 animal species occupying in the Amazon rain forest. (Animals) These animals serve an important role in the world’s ecosystem, but are quickly becoming endangered. Although the extinction of animals is a natural occurrence, human activities has quicken their rate of becoming extinct. From early European colonists and settlers, to deforestation, and to animal smuggling, the number of species in the Brazilian rain forests are rapidly decreasing, but with the endangerment of animals, comes the formation of organizations that are making an effort to help conserve the rainforests where these animals live and limit the factors which are putting …show more content…
Along with the introduction of explorers, the people needed space to settle. Over time, city populations became overcrowded, forcing people into forests. Government policies ensured these people space to farm: in the Amazon. Highways and roads were built in the Amazon for transportation purposes. However, introducing these people into the forest to farm became an issue. (Johnson 24) “The new settlers, practicing a type of farming known as slash-and-burn, had a disastrous effect on the health of the forest.” (Johnson 24).
Deforestation/ Destruction of Natural Habitats. Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. (Bradford) It is one of most significant, if not the most significant cause of animal endangerment. The destruction of habitats accounts for 36% of the loss of species in the Brazilian Amazon. (“Endangered”) “Forests are complex ecosystems that affect almost every species on the planet. When they are degraded, it can set off a devastating chain of events both locally and around the world.” (Bradford)
Deforestation can be traced back to European settlers in the 16th century, where it has developed to become part of the culture. Space is cleared for activities, but the species of wildlife are burned …show more content…
Cloning of animals is another possible solution to prevent or reverse endangerment of animal species in the Brazilian Amazon rain forest. According to author George Dvorsky, “Brazilian scientists have announced that they are moving ahead with plans to clone a number of endangered species, a list of animals that includes the jaguar, maned wolf, and black lion.” (Dvorsky) Having already collected the genomes of many species, the scientists state that they will clone an animal in extreme cases of extinction. (Dvorsky)
Conservation
Destruction has been widespread through the rainforests of Brazil, but governments have been increasingly willing to address environmental issues in pursuit of protecting the ecosystems. Brazil's first conservation prohibited the burning or destruction of forests in 1797, and the government has continued to develop further plans to protect the forests. (Pearson)
Conclusion
Though the introduction of European settlers, deforestation, and animal smuggling has increased the rate species endangerment in Brazil, there has been efforts to help slow down the process of animal endangerment and help conserve the rainforest in which the majority of these animals thrive in. Helping to preserve these 2,900+ animal species is making a difference for the ecosystem because the species have an irreplaceable role on the ecosystem. By decreasing or eliminating causes of animal endangerment and taking steps to help conserve them will make a big
Brazil is home to some of the world’s most diverse wildlife, with over 2,900 animal species occupying in the Amazon rain forest. (Animals) These animals serve an important role in the world’s ecosystem, but are quickly becoming endangered. Although the extinction of animals is a natural occurrence, human activities has quicken their rate of becoming extinct. From early European colonists and settlers, to deforestation, and to animal smuggling, the number of species in the Brazilian rain forests are rapidly decreasing, but with the endangerment of animals, comes the formation of organizations that are making an effort to help conserve the rainforests where these animals live and limit the factors which are putting …show more content…
Along with the introduction of explorers, the people needed space to settle. Over time, city populations became overcrowded, forcing people into forests. Government policies ensured these people space to farm: in the Amazon. Highways and roads were built in the Amazon for transportation purposes. However, introducing these people into the forest to farm became an issue. (Johnson 24) “The new settlers, practicing a type of farming known as slash-and-burn, had a disastrous effect on the health of the forest.” (Johnson 24).
Deforestation/ Destruction of Natural Habitats. Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. (Bradford) It is one of most significant, if not the most significant cause of animal endangerment. The destruction of habitats accounts for 36% of the loss of species in the Brazilian Amazon. (“Endangered”) “Forests are complex ecosystems that affect almost every species on the planet. When they are degraded, it can set off a devastating chain of events both locally and around the world.” (Bradford)
Deforestation can be traced back to European settlers in the 16th century, where it has developed to become part of the culture. Space is cleared for activities, but the species of wildlife are burned …show more content…
Cloning of animals is another possible solution to prevent or reverse endangerment of animal species in the Brazilian Amazon rain forest. According to author George Dvorsky, “Brazilian scientists have announced that they are moving ahead with plans to clone a number of endangered species, a list of animals that includes the jaguar, maned wolf, and black lion.” (Dvorsky) Having already collected the genomes of many species, the scientists state that they will clone an animal in extreme cases of extinction. (Dvorsky)
Conservation
Destruction has been widespread through the rainforests of Brazil, but governments have been increasingly willing to address environmental issues in pursuit of protecting the ecosystems. Brazil's first conservation prohibited the burning or destruction of forests in 1797, and the government has continued to develop further plans to protect the forests. (Pearson)
Conclusion
Though the introduction of European settlers, deforestation, and animal smuggling has increased the rate species endangerment in Brazil, there has been efforts to help slow down the process of animal endangerment and help conserve the rainforest in which the majority of these animals thrive in. Helping to preserve these 2,900+ animal species is making a difference for the ecosystem because the species have an irreplaceable role on the ecosystem. By decreasing or eliminating causes of animal endangerment and taking steps to help conserve them will make a big