We need nature to survive

There are thousand species of plants and animals on Earth, but unfortunately people destroy a lot of the habitat (where they live) and also the animals and plants itself, and this can cause 'extinction' of that specific type of animal or plant.

If something is extinct, it means their are none of them left on Earth.  This is really sad if your think about it, because the future generations will only see these animals and plants on pictures.

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A lot of plants and animals are not extinct but they are on the 'endangered list', which means there is not a lot of them left on Earth and if we do not look after them, they will very quickly become extinct.

• Which animals do you know of that is extinct?  Find pictures of these animals and also the reason why they became extinct.

Even though humans play a huge role in this process, some extinctions can also happen because of 'natural occurrences'.  This can be things that happen in nature and we have no control over, like volcanic eruptions and climate change.

• Read more about this topic on http://www.ducksters.com/animals/how_animals_become_extinct.php

If a species become 'naturally extinct' it means they could not adapt (change and fit in) to the changes that took place.  Lets say some animals live in an area where it is very hot.  If the weather suddenly changes and the whole area becomes frozen, some animals will not be able to survive the cold and they can become extinct.  A new type of disease can also break out which the animals or plants are not equipped to fight and they will die.

Besides from the dinosaurs that became extinct a long time ago due to natural causes, there are also some other animals that no longer roam the Earth,

One such an animal is the Dodo.  

This was a bird that, like the ostrich, could not fly.  It was found on the island of Mauritius in the 17th century and when people came to this island, they could easily catch the Dodo, since they were not very fast.  In a time span of a 100 years, this bird was extinct.  Another sad example of how people can destroy the environment.

• Have a look at the video on animals that were hunted and became extinct because of the interference of humans.
• while you watch the video make some notes so that you can name the extincted animal and the reason why they are extinct

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'Endangered species' are in danger of becoming extinct and this is mostly due to their habitat being destroyed, poaching and human interference that makes the number of this animal or plant left very critical.

We as humans have a responsibility towards nature and to conserve (protect) it.  At this stage there is still 'biodiversity' (different types of animals and plants) but in certain areas we do not have this biodiversity.

We need to understand that we are dependent on nature and even though nature can survive without humans around, we cannot survive without nature.  We need it for food, shelter and medicine.

It is time that people wake up and start protecting what is important.

• Explain the following words by using your own words

1. biodiversity
2. habitat
3. poaching
4. extinct
5. endangered species

Besides from protecting the species for future generations we need to educate others on the important part that animals and plants play in our lives.

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