Preserving Our Evolutionary Heritage in the Face of an Extinction Crisis

Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics: Preserving our evolutionary heritage in an extinction crisis (Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation Book 14)

by Kevin Van Tighem

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12042 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	623 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	396 pages
Item Weight	:	3.67 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.15 x 9 inches
Paperback	:	70 pages

FREE

The Earth is facing an unprecedented extinction crisis, with thousands of species disappearing every year. This crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. If we do not take action, we could lose up to one million species by the end of this century.

The extinction crisis is a threat to all of us. It is a threat to our food security, our water supply, and our climate. It is also a threat to our culture and our sense of place.

In Preserving Our Evolutionary Heritage in an Extinction Crisis, Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Chet C. Sherwood and an international team of experts explore the causes and consequences of the extinction crisis and discuss what can be done to save our planet's precious biodiversity.

The Causes of the Extinction Crisis

The extinction crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including:

• Habitat loss: The destruction of natural habitats is the leading cause of species extinction. When forests are cleared for agriculture, wetlands are drained for development, and rivers are dammed for hydropower, many species lose their homes and food sources.
• Climate change: Climate change is causing the Earth's temperature to rise, which is leading to the loss of habitat, changes in species' distributions, and disruptions to ecosystems.
• Pollution: Pollution from chemicals, plastics, and other sources can harm wildlife and disrupt ecosystems.
• Invasive species: Invasive species are non-native species that have been introduced to an area and have become a threat to native species.

The Consequences of the Extinction Crisis

The extinction crisis is having a devastating impact on our planet. The loss of species is disrupting ecosystems, reducing biodiversity, and threatening our food security, water supply, and climate.

The extinction crisis is also a threat to our culture and our sense of place. Many of the species that are disappearing are important to our cultures and traditions. For example, the American bison was once a symbol of the American West, but it was nearly driven to extinction by hunting and habitat loss.

What Can We Do?

The extinction crisis is a serious threat, but it is not too late to act. We can take action to save our planet's precious biodiversity.

Here are some things we can do:

• Protect and restore habitats: Protecting and restoring natural habitats is critical to saving species. We can do this by creating protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife refuges, and by restoring degraded habitats.
• Reduce climate change: Reducing climate change is essential to protecting biodiversity. We can do this by reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
• Reduce pollution: Reducing pollution is important for protecting species and ecosystems. We can do this by reducing our use of chemicals, plastics, and other pollutants.
• Control invasive species: Controlling invasive species is important for protecting native species. We can do this by preventing the of invasive species to new areas and by managing invasive species populations.
• Support conservation organizations: Conservation organizations are working to save species and protect biodiversity. We can support their work by donating money, volunteering our time, and spreading the word about their efforts.

The extinction crisis is a serious threat to our planet and our way of life. But it is not too late to act. By taking action to protect and restore habitats, reduce climate change, reduce pollution, control invasive species, and support conservation organizations, we can help to save our planet's precious biodiversity.

Preserving Our Evolutionary Heritage in an Extinction Crisis is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the extinction crisis and what can be done to save our planet's biodiversity.

Biodiversity Conservation and Phylogenetic Systematics: Preserving our evolutionary heritage in an extinction crisis (Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation Book 14)

by Kevin Van Tighem

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12042 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	623 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	396 pages
Item Weight	:	3.67 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.15 x 9 inches
Paperback	:	70 pages

FREE