An Encyclopedia of Species That Have Disappeared During Human History

This comprehensive encyclopedia documents the tragic loss of countless species that have vanished from our planet as a result of human activities. From the iconic dodo to the lesser-known but equally important passenger pigeon, this volume tells the stories of these extinct species and the factors that led to their demise.

Extinct Animals: An Encyclopedia of Species that Have Disappeared during Human History

by Ross Piper

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3953 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	204 pages

FREE

The Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it is essential for the health of our planet. Biodiversity provides us with food, clean water, and medicine. It also helps to regulate the climate and provides us with essential ecosystem services, such as pollination and water filtration.

When species become extinct, we lose not only their unique genetic material, but also the important roles they play in the ecosystem. The loss of even a single species can have a ripple effect, causing other species to decline and ultimately leading to the collapse of entire ecosystems.

Human Impact on the Environment

Human activities have been the primary driver of extinction throughout history. We have hunted species to extinction, destroyed their habitats, and introduced invasive species that have outcompeted native species for resources.

In recent years, the rate of extinction has accelerated due to climate change. Climate change is causing species to lose their habitats, disrupt their food sources, and become more vulnerable to disease.

Extinct Species

This encyclopedia includes detailed descriptions of over 1,000 extinct species, including:

• The dodo: A flightless bird that was native to the island of Mauritius. The dodo was hunted to extinction by humans in the 17th century.
• The passenger pigeon: A migratory bird that was once one of the most abundant birds in North America. The passenger pigeon was hunted to extinction by humans in the 19th century.
• The Tasmanian tiger: A carnivorous marsupial that was native to Tasmania. The Tasmanian tiger was hunted to extinction by humans in the 20th century.
• The baiji: A freshwater dolphin that was native to the Yangtze River in China. The baiji was declared functionally extinct in 2007 due to habitat loss and pollution.
• The golden toad: A small, brightly colored toad that was native to Costa Rica. The golden toad became extinct in 1989 due to habitat loss and climate change.

The Importance of Conservation

The extinction of species is a serious threat to the health of our planet. We need to take action to protect the remaining species on Earth and to prevent further extinctions.

There are many things that we can do to help conserve species, including:

• Protecting their habitats
• Reducing pollution
• Combating climate change
• Educating ourselves and others about the importance of biodiversity

By taking action to conserve species, we can help to ensure a healthy future for our planet and for future generations.

This encyclopedia is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the extinct species of our planet. It is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of conservation.

Let us all work together to protect the remaining species on Earth and to prevent further extinctions.

Image credits:

• Dodo: By John Gerrard Keulemans - The Birds of Paradise and Other Birds of Paradise. Illustrated by J.G. Keulemans, p. 122, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11269941
• Passenger pigeon: By John James Audubon, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3047876
• Tasmanian tiger: By John Gould - The mammals of Australia. Volume 1, Plate 48, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29126763
• Baiji: By John E. Randall - http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/PicturesSummary.php?StartRow=835&ID=1391&what=species, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22971195
• Golden toad: By Wolfgang Wüster - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10917143

Extinct Animals: An Encyclopedia of Species that Have Disappeared during Human History

by Ross Piper

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3953 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	204 pages

FREE