Protecting Endangered Species - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the late 20th century, mountain gorillas faced significant habitat loss, leading to a considerable decline in their population. However, in the last decade, this species has increased rapidly, thanks to conservation efforts. Recently, similar tales of woe have surfaced from all global spheres. From California condors and pandas to tigers, much of the world’s wildlife is under threat. Proponents of environmental conservation have attributed species endangerment to the continued growth of the global population, which is also to blame for several environmental problems, including pollution and global warming. Unfortunately, the human population's growth and the subsequent threat to endangered species pose the likelihood of these species becoming extinct soon. Species endangerment signals a falling ecosystem, and humans are primarily to blame for the declining wildlife population. The currently endangered species form part of biodiversity that offers numerous benefits to the ecosystem and humans; however, the growing habitat loss when these species need it the most has underlined the importance of protecting threatened plants and animals against imminent extinction.

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Argument

Protecting endangered species underlines the need to maintain an ecological balance. Many conservationists and environmental scientists consider species endangerment an indication of ecosystem imbalance (Collins). Typically, flora and fauna species form the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Thus, a specific species’ endangerment signals a crumbling ecosystem. In any given ecosystem, the loss of a particular species triggers other species’ loss.

For instance, when humans hunted grey wolves to near-extinction, the beaver populations in Yellowstone National Park decreased significantly (Collins). The primary explanation for this population decrease was that hunting grey wolves increased the elk population that consumed massive amounts of plants needed by beavers for survival during winter. Healthy ecosystems also significantly contribute to environmental purification. The absence of healthy forests, grasslands, oceans, rivers, and other ecosystems would translate to impure air, land, or water. In turn, an environment exposed to contamination augments the risks associated with people’s health and wellbeing. Therefore, these roles highlight the importance of a balanced ecosystem.

Other than the ecosystem, humans can also benefit from the conservation of endangered species. According to Gascon et al., humans depend on biodiversity in many ways, including for food, recreation, and other cultural activities; for instance, all over the world, fishers catch more than 90 million tons of fish annually for human consumption, representing at least 8% of the animal protein consumed (432). Conservation also means access to species with medicinal purposes. Most prescription medications are inspired by or derived originally from nature.

Unfortunately, scientists have only tested a minor percentage of known species for medicinal uses, leaving many species yet to be identified. The extinction of flora and fauna often translates to lost potential for novel drugs and cures that humans are yet to discover. Millions of people succumb annually to illnesses for which no known cure exists. Thus, the knowledge that the remedies for these illnesses may come from plants underlines the importance of protecting all species before they disappear altogether from nature's medicine cabinet. Consequently, these, among other uses, show how humans may benefit from conserving plant and animal species.

Lastly, endangered species are losing protections at a time when they need them the most. A report published by the United Nations highlighted that a million plant and animal species globally face extinction within decades, with human activity being the prime reason for this extinction (Fears para. 1). Many would agree that these findings suggest a possible correlation between the absence of drastic conservation efforts and increased extinction rates.

Thus, the lack of transformative changes would mean significant biodiversity losses that will continue in years to come. Currently, human activities both on land and in the sea are significantly altering wildlife habitats. For instance, agriculture activities are considerably impacting ecosystems that provide people with clean water and food besides stabilizing the climate. Like climate change, the loss of species poses a significant danger to life on earth. Therefore, biodiversity needs to be a priority concern in the global agenda if the world needs to protect endangered species' habitats.

Counterargument

While there have been increased calls to protect endangered biodiversity, critics may question whether such a move makes economic sense. More specifically, this group may highlight the staggering costs involved in conservation efforts. Research by McCarthy et al. found that preserving endangered terrestrial animals would cost about $76 billion a year (948). Adding marine species to this mix translates to far more costs. As such, the question, in this case, would be: why should stakeholders spend vast sums on wildlife conservation when these monies could help people succumbing to hunger diseases.

Dillard argued that “Evolution loves death more than it loves you or me.” (179). What this means is that rather than going out of one’s way to protect wildlife species, humans should let evolution pursue its cause. Some critics would contend that many endangered species are neither sufficiently charismatic for tourist attraction nor make compounds directly useful for human use. For instance, one would hardly understand the need to preserve fauna like wolves, which threaten both humans and livestock—further suggesting that the environment would be better off without some species. Due to such reasons, critics may argue that protecting such species makes no economic sense.

Response

While critics may deem their arguments stable in highlighting the drawbacks of preserving endangered species, the truth of the matter is that these arguments are flawed. Most critics try to back their stance by placing a specific value on nature. However, unlike what most comprehend, biodiversity’s monetary valuation supersedes the value of a single species. One could justify the need to preserve threatened species using Aldo Leopold’s land ethic concept, which holds that “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” (Leopold 262). Based on this assertion, many would agree that the value of nature encompasses all species in a given ecosystem. To understand the importance of nature and the need to protect threatened species, one must estimate the value presented by ecosystem services to human communities.

For instance, one could look at the value stemming from insect-facilitated pollination and the mitigation of floods by mangrove forests. Thanks to pollinating bees, a nation will not have to grapple with the cost of pollinating plants artificially, and locals will also benefit from consuming healthy foods. Charisma is subjective. Despite some of the endangered species being traditionally uncharismatic, this does not warrant ignoring them, especially if one considers their unique traits, including phenotypical characteristics, behaviors, and life. Monetizing nature is not easy. Many conservationists believe that protecting specific species entails doing the right thing ethically and morally.

Conclusion

In brief, the justification for protecting endangered species stems from the numerous benefits they offer to the ecosystem and humans, plus the threat of habitat loss. While critics may argue against preserving threatened species, most fail to understand that the benefits of protecting this part of biodiversity may not be immediately evident. Still, there is an ecological and economic sense attached to conservation efforts if the currently endangered species are to overcome extinction. If humans valued their health, the ability to drink clean water and breathe clean air, then saving species would make so much sense.

Works Cited

Collins, Alix. Why should we save endangered species? GVI UK, 2019,
https://www.gvi.co.uk/blog/why-should-we-save-endangered-species/.

Dillard, Annie. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Bantam Books, 1975.

Fears, Darryl. One million species face extinction, U.N. report says. And humans will suffer as a result. The Washington Post, 6 May 2019,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/05/06/one-million-species-face-extinction-un-panel-says-humans-will-suffer-result/.

Gascon, Claude, et al. “The importance and benefits of species.” Current Biology, vol. 25, no.10, 2015, pp. R431-R438. Doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.03.041

Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County almanac: With essays on conservation from Round River. Ballantine Books, 1970.

McCarthy, Donal P., et al. "Financial costs of meeting global biodiversity conservation targets: current spending and unmet needs." Science 338.6109 (2012): 946-949. Doi: 10.1126/science.1229803.