Threatened and endangered species are those that are at risk of extinction due to various human and natural factors. These species are classified based on the severity of the threat they face and the level of protection they require. Some of the major factors that contribute to the decline of threatened and endangered species include:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation: Destruction and fragmentation of habitats due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion can displace and disrupt the natural habitats of species, leading to population decline.
- Overexploitation: Unsustainable hunting, fishing, and harvesting of species can deplete populations, reducing their numbers to dangerously low levels.
- Invasive species: Non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, outcompeting and preying on native species, leading to population decline.
- Pollution: Toxic chemicals and pollutants can contaminate habitats and food sources, causing illness and death in affected species.
- Climate change: Changes in temperature, rainfall, and other environmental factors can alter habitats, food sources, and breeding patterns, affecting the survival and reproduction of species.
Examples of threatened and endangered species include the Sumatran orangutan, the African elephant, the blue whale, the monarch butterfly, and the hawksbill sea turtle. Efforts to conserve and protect these species include habitat conservation, regulation of hunting and harvesting, control of invasive species, and promotion of sustainable practices.