Estefani Covarrubias

APES P.4
June 08, 2015

Climate change, disease, and invasive species are all reasons why species
around the world are disappearing. From the U.S to Australia things are changing
and disappearing. Is this something we should be worried about? Well yes,
especially when it can interrupt with our food. With things such as honeybees
disappearing wed be left without any fruits and vegetables. Honeybees have a
purpose of living and that is to pollinate plants so that they can thrive. Without
them pollination by hand would be necessary, which takes a very long time. In the
article, Pesticides not sole culprit in honey bee colony declines, bees re studied
further to check if pesticides have anything to do with their disappearance.
Scientists found however, that pesticides do not affect bees as much as previously
thought. It does affect them, but it isnt significant. The question is what can we do
to stop our bees from disappearing. First off we can start by not killing them.
Secondly, we can start planting native plants in our garden that bees can feed off of.
In order for us to survive we need bees. They really are not an option. Bees are
taken for granted so much. We do not appreciate what they do, instead people hate
them because they have the ability to sting, but that is just their very own way to
defend themselves.
Not only insects are endangered, all types of species are including those who
live in Antarctica. This is due to climate change. Most species are used to a

certain type of climate and when It changes they fail to adapt and therefore
their population declines. Either that or invasive species that do have the
ability to adapt take over and steal their habitats and food causing the
population to decline as well.
Additionally, when non-native species are introduced into and environment it
can shift the whole ecosystem and cause a species to do poorly.
The ability to be able to adapt to an environment is describes by Darwins
theory of survival of the fittest. Practically the species with the most favorable traits
will survive and pass those traits on to the next generation. This is true, that is why
peacocks with the most colorful feathers will live on and pass those genes on to
their off springs.
In the article, Australias mammals are on the edge, published by
Iflscience.com other species that are disappearing in Australia are described. In
another article named, Pikas in California, It is described how The American Pika is
disappearing. It is a small mammal with short limbs, no tail, and rounded ears. It is a
species close to a rabbit. They are usually found in the low elevation areas of the
California Mountains. However, they are no longer seemed to be found and new
research shows it may be due to climate change. Pikas have thick fur that allows
them to stay warm at high elevations. Therefore, when temperatures get high they
have to go underground to avoid overheating. A model predicts that Pikas will
disappear in 75% of all regions by 20170 is greenhouse emissions continue at the
same rate. This is an example of what happens due to global warming and some of
the species is affects. The weather is changing faster than species can adapt and it
is the biggest problem for our ecosystems.

There are laws that protect endangered species, however they are not always
followed. People go hunting and kill whatever they find. Some do it commercially,
while others do it as a hobby. I think stricter laws and acts should be passed to
make sure every species is protected. So many have gone extinct anymore and
every species is beautiful, we should take care of them. The more biodiversity the
better.