Unit10-Reading-Listening
While you read
Read the text then do the tasks that follow.
Endangered species are plant and animal species which are in danger of extinction. Over 8,300 plant species and 7,200 animal species around the globe are threatened with extinction, and many thousands more become extinct each year before biologists can identify them.
The primary causes of species extinction are habitat destruction, commercial exploitation and pollution. The drainage of wetlands, cutting of forests, urbanization and road and dam construction have destroyed or seriously damaged natural habitats. Since the 1600s, worldwide commercial exploitation of animals for food and other products has seriously reduced the number of rare species. Toxic chemicals in the air and land, contaminated water and increased water temperatures have also driven many species to the verge of extinction.
Plant and animal extinction leads to a loss of biodiversity. Maintaining biodiversity is important for us in many ways. For example, humans depend on species diversity to have food, clean air and water, and fertile soil for agriculture. In addition, we benefit greatly from the many medicines and other products that biodiversity provides.
Different conservation efforts have been made in order to save endangered species. The Red List − a global list of endangered and vulnerable animal species − has been introduced to raise people's awareness of conservation needs. Governments have enacted laws to protect wildlife from commercial trade and overhunting. A number of wildlife habitat reserves have been established so that a wide range of endangered species can have a chance to survive and develop.