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Nearly one fifth of all reptiles — turtles, snakes, lizards and crocodiles — are on a slippery slope toward extinction due to loss of habitat, overharvesting and other factors, a new report says.
The study is the first of its kind to summarize the global conservation status of reptiles. More than 1,500 species were selected at random from around the world for conservation assessments in an effort to gain a representative sample.
The results highlight "conservation priorities and knowledge gaps which need to be addressed urgently to ensure the continued survival of the world’s reptiles," more than 200 researchers led by Monika Böhm at the Zoological Society of London write today in the journal Biological Conservation.
Not to sound cruel towards animals, but is it not inevitable that a species which lacks the ability to survive in an ever changing environment will be wiped out, and the one more suited to live in such an environment flourish?
Sorry turtles but the destruction of the land you live on could mean fields of rice to feed starving humans.
Strange how all this decline only starting occurring since the industrial revolution.
But some of these species have been around for MILLIONS of years. Far longer than any human. Or at least that we know of.
No, mostly it means developing projects that line the pockets of rich people and keep money out of the mouths of the poor.
But I see your point. We can do a far better job at conservation. The planet is a big place, and 9 Billion people is a drop in the bucket.
Because that's when humans discovered the technology that allows us to live longer and live more comfortably. Sorry if the priorities of the only thinking beings on this planet capable of actually observing, and explaining the universe are higher on the importance scale than a gecko.
Is that what this study proves, or is this simply emotional conjecture on your part?
If we don't find a way to expand off this planet we will just have to accept that animals are not as important we are, and prioritize accordingly.
You don't know that animals aren't capable of self observation. We simply do not have the ability to communicate. That does not mean they have nothing to say.
Recent studies have shown that animals one some level, seem to be just as sentient as we are.
Not emotional conjecture. Please show me how the destruction of the rain forest has helped the native populations?.
Large scale projects that involve large scale destruction for the environment are always negative.
What most fail to realize is that animals and insects play a vital role in the health of our current environment.
I'm not disagreeing with looking outwards to find other places to settle, but I certainly disagree that we should just cast our environmental responsibilities aside. Especially considering that we haven't really needed to destroy our environment to live properly.
We simply chose to do so, because it was more convenient and easy, not because it was the only choice.
Congratulations!
Originally posted by tothetenthpower
This is really stunning. 1/3 of reptiles, some of the longest surviving species on the planet, are nearing extinction.
NBC News
Nearly one fifth of all reptiles — turtles, snakes, lizards and crocodiles — are on a slippery slope toward extinction due to loss of habitat, overharvesting and other factors, a new report says.
The study is the first of its kind to summarize the global conservation status of reptiles. More than 1,500 species were selected at random from around the world for conservation assessments in an effort to gain a representative sample.
The results highlight "conservation priorities and knowledge gaps which need to be addressed urgently to ensure the continued survival of the world’s reptiles," more than 200 researchers led by Monika Böhm at the Zoological Society of London write today in the journal Biological Conservation.
The study is linked above and is quite startling if you ask me. We always hear of endangered species but hardly ever about these particular animals.
I don't expect this to be seen as drastically important by the general population or government however. We as humans have a pretty crappy record of conservation to begin with.
Thoughts ATS?
~Tenthedit on 2/15/2013 by tothetenthpower because: (no reason given)