Question

Overharvesting

What habitats and species are most vulnerable to overexploitation?

How can we manage overexploitation?

Why is international management of endangered species difficult?

How does legislation develop to manage endangered species?

Answer 1

1) Many species have become extinct in the last century. But, the most common characteristics found in the extinct species include,

• Habitat destruction
• Food specialization
• Large body size and
• Slow reproductive rate

The habitats that are most vulnerable to over exploitation include grasslands, steppes and prairies, inland freshwater ecosystems and marshes which are easily accessible to humans and also invasion of foreign species.

2) Over exploitation of ecosystem can be managed by stopping the human activity in those habitats. Preservation of flora and fauna along with afforestation activities, prohibition of human intrusion and control of pollution.

3) International management of endangered species becomes difficult as it is impossible to form a consensus. People in some of the developing countries may depend upon hunting these species for their livelihood and it forms an important part of revenue for their country. Further, animal trafficking across international borders is difficult to control.

4) Legislation like prohibition of human intrusion into specified areas, heavy fines for animal hunting, prohibition of animal trade and trafficking, stopping leather business etc. may help to limit the rate of disappearance of endangered species.