Spring Break
Extinction of certain species on the rise
Allison Mack, Daily Vidette Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
Many endangered species are closer than ever to becoming completely extinct. In fact, more than 8,000 ministers, UN officials, scientists and business chiefs have come together in Barcelona, Spain to discuss ideas on how to slow the rate of species extinction.
"If the students want to have plants and animal diversity in the future, we are going to have to act now, otherwise it's only going to exist on TV," Angelo Capparella, professor of biological sciences and director of the conservation biology program at ISU, said.
According to the 2007 conservation list, more than one-third of the 41,000 species examined are facing extinction. Among them are a quarter of all mammals, one out of eight birds, one out of three amphibians and 70 percent of plants.
The 2008 version, which is compiled from the work of 1,800 scientists, is even more pessimistic.
Mohammad Yunis, a Nobel Peace laureate, stated that conservation work could no longer be confined to the narrow task of saving animals and plants from extinction.
According to Capparella, there are three major efforts that can help the preservation of these species: first, more habitat than in the past would have to be protected, second, deterioration prevention of existing habitats and third, an increased focus on global warming.
"If [global warming] gets out of control many, many species will go extinct because it will change their habitats extremely," Capparella said.
Capparella warned that humans rely on many of these species on a daily basis.
"We depend on natural resources and their health is dependent on other species," he said.
If a large group of these endangered species dies off, our natural resources will become even more scarce.
"It's sad when our world's biodiversity is put on a path of destruction just because we as human beings can't see that everything that we do is linked," Liz Lukacek, a senior psychology major, said.
"From what we do every day that we see as menial, to even the books we read and places we go to, [it] affects the world and all the creatures in it."
If students want to help the cause, there are several ways for them to participate, such as getting involved in local habitat protection.
"[There are] places right off-campus - Sugar Grove Nature Center [or] Park Lands Foundation just north of town," Capparella said.
Students can become a member of larger foundations, like the World Wildlife Fund.
"Students can also become involved in the political process, encouraging their state representatives and federal representatives to protect species and their habitats," Capparella said.
"If the students want to have plants and animal diversity in the future, we are going to have to act now, otherwise it's only going to exist on TV," Angelo Capparella, professor of biological sciences and director of the conservation biology program at ISU, said.
According to the 2007 conservation list, more than one-third of the 41,000 species examined are facing extinction. Among them are a quarter of all mammals, one out of eight birds, one out of three amphibians and 70 percent of plants.
The 2008 version, which is compiled from the work of 1,800 scientists, is even more pessimistic.
Mohammad Yunis, a Nobel Peace laureate, stated that conservation work could no longer be confined to the narrow task of saving animals and plants from extinction.
According to Capparella, there are three major efforts that can help the preservation of these species: first, more habitat than in the past would have to be protected, second, deterioration prevention of existing habitats and third, an increased focus on global warming.
"If [global warming] gets out of control many, many species will go extinct because it will change their habitats extremely," Capparella said.
Capparella warned that humans rely on many of these species on a daily basis.
"We depend on natural resources and their health is dependent on other species," he said.
If a large group of these endangered species dies off, our natural resources will become even more scarce.
"It's sad when our world's biodiversity is put on a path of destruction just because we as human beings can't see that everything that we do is linked," Liz Lukacek, a senior psychology major, said.
"From what we do every day that we see as menial, to even the books we read and places we go to, [it] affects the world and all the creatures in it."
If students want to help the cause, there are several ways for them to participate, such as getting involved in local habitat protection.
"[There are] places right off-campus - Sugar Grove Nature Center [or] Park Lands Foundation just north of town," Capparella said.
Students can become a member of larger foundations, like the World Wildlife Fund.
"Students can also become involved in the political process, encouraging their state representatives and federal representatives to protect species and their habitats," Capparella said.
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