process of reducing the number of certain species of plants and animals on Earth is observed for several centuries.The urgency of this problem, and today does not become smaller.
IUCN
issue of the protection of flora and fauna were raised by the international community in the XIX century, but the first organization to seriously address the problem, was established only in 1948.She was named the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
At the organization was established by the Commission on rare and endangered species.The aim of the Commission in those days was to collect information about the animals and plants that are threatened with extinction.
15 years later, in 1963, the organization published the first list of such species."The Red Book of Facts" - so this list.Later publication was renamed, and the list was called "red book of the world."
reasons for reducing the number of plants and animals
reasons that led to a reduction in species of flora and fauna, a wide variety.But they are mainly associated with human activities or reckless interference in the life of nature.
The most common reason for the decline of species of wildlife is the mass killing of animals during hunting, fisheries, destruction of nests of eggs, collecting plants.We are talking about the immediate destruction of the species.
Another, no less common reason for reducing the number of wild animals and plants of the planet is not related to direct their destruction.Here we have to say about the destruction of the environment: the plowing of virgin land, the construction of hydropower plants and reservoirs, deforestation.
there are natural factors affecting the reduction or disappearance of species of wildlife - climate change on Earth.For example, relict gull today lives only a few lakes in Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan and the Chita Region.The number of species is 10 thousand individuals, and the number of breeding pairs varies from year to year depending on weather conditions."The Red Book of the World" one of its pages devotes to this rare bird.But millions of years ago, when the modern areas of its habitat was a great inland sea, relict gulls, according to scientists, they are ubiquitous, and their population is not threatened.
activities Wildlife
Plants and Animals "Red Book" made man, not only to understand the causes of their disappearance from the face of the Earth, but also to develop a set of measures aimed at saving the wild.
Today it is clear that in order to restore the population of some species need only to prohibit hunting or collecting.To save other rare animals and plants, it is necessary to create special conditions for their stay.Thus any economic activity in this area should be prohibited.
Species on the verge of extinction, a man trying to save through artificial breeding in special nurseries to create all favorable conditions for existence.
«Red Book of the World" distributed listed on the pages of animals and plants by category.To do this, it takes into account the current state of the species, its predisposition to downsizing or disappearance.
first category species
Pages book, which listed types of the first category are the most disturbing.It recorded endangered wildlife.If humanity does not urgently take special measures, the rescue of these animals and plants will not be possible.
second category
These pages contain a list of the planet's living creatures, whose number is still quite large, but there is a process of steady reduction.Scientists are convinced that if we do not take action, then these species may face death.
third category of plants and animals
«Red Book of the World" has posted lists of species that today is not in danger, but their number is small and they live in small territories.Therefore, any changes in the environment, where they are common, can lead to unpredictable results.
most vulnerable plants and animals living on small islands.For example, the Komodo dragon inhabits the islands of Eastern Indonesia.Any ill-considered actions of man or natural phenomena (floods, volcanic eruptions) may lead to the extinction of species in a very short period of time.
fourth category
Despite the fact that science today is moving forward with huge rate in the world there are still representatives of flora and fauna that are poorly understood.They are represented on the pages of the "Red Book" in the fourth category.
For some reason, scientists are concerned about the number of species, but because of the lack of knowledge to rank them to other categories of plants and animals "alarm list" is not possible.
Green Pages
fifth category of species of animals and plants is located in the pages of the green.This special page.These are species that have managed to avoid the threat of extinction.The number of restored thanks to the actions of man.From the pages of "Red Book" species of these representatives is not removed on the grounds that their commercial use is prohibited.
«Red Book of the world."Plants
The publication "alarming" books relating to the 1996, contains a description of 34 thousand plant species that are threatened with extinction.They took under his protection public organization IUCN and the "Red Book".
Flora often becomes a victim of beauty.People admiring the uniqueness and refinement plants begin to mindlessly destroy the plantation for a bouquet of flowers.Not the least role in this case and the human desire for profit.Such is the fate of the Alpine edelweiss, bell Ossetian, narcissus.
There are many plants that are affected by human activities and pollution.These include tulips, water chestnuts, yew, some species of pine and many others.
Animals "Red Book of World»
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, now need to be protected about 5.5 thousand species of animals.
Paying tribute to fashion or to satisfy the gastronomic needs of man invades the lives of wildlife, inflicting irreparable damage.List of animals affected for this reason, an incredibly vast: European pearl oyster, giant salamanders, muskrat, Galapagos giant tortoise, the Asian lion and many other species.
IUCN is a public organization and its decisions are not binding, so the management is working closely with governments, ensuring those recommendations that will help save the life of the planet.
