Human Causes of Extinction and Endangerment

Facts
Humans caused 322 animal extinctions in past 500 years
Species endangered include one in four mammals, one in eight birds, one third of all amphibians
About 68 % of evaluated plant species are threatened with extinction

Reasons to save endangered species
Most species play a critical role in maintaining the health and integrity of their ecosystem, and are therefore indirectly important to human welfare
nutrient cycling
pest and weed control
species population regulation
cleansing chemical and organic pollution from water and air
erosion control,
production of atmospheric oxygen
removal of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Organisms other than humans have moral and ethical value, and a natural right to exist!
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