Four Reasons Why We Should Save Endangered Species

Why do we need to save endangered species? Of what use are wildlife nearing extinction to the human race? This article lists four reasons why we should save endangered species.

Some people do not understand the importance of keeping a healthy population of animals or plants on the planet. This article, therefore, aims to provide a deeper understanding of the need to preserve endangered species.

Why should we save endangered species?

Here are four principal reasons why everyone should do their share in conserving these valuable natural resources.

The Four Seasons Why We Should Save Endangered Species

The following are the potential benefits from plants and animals that may be facing extinction:

1. Medicinal value

The drug digitalis, derived from purple foxglove (Fig. 1), prevented the death of millions of people. Digitalis is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), fluid retention, irregular heartbeat, asthma, epilepsy, tuberculosis, headache, constipation, headache, and spasm. It can also heal wounds and burns. Withering (1785) described the healing properties of the plant as early as the 18th century.

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Figure 1. Digitalis purpurea

This observation means that if one plant species gets extinct, the potential benefits, such as a source of medicine, will be forfeited.

However, many plants may be nearing extinction without our knowledge. These plants could contain thousands of important compounds that can lengthen the human lifespan.

Plants are not the only sources of medicine. Animals have medicinal properties, too.

Here is a list of animals and their medicinal uses:

  • leeches – secretions prevent coagulation and inflammation, microcirculation disorders elimination, restores organs and tissues, removes hypoxia or inadequate oxygen in the tissues, and decreases blood pressure (Shakouri and Wollina, 2021)
  • vipers – elements in their venom control blood pressure
  • scorpion – brain tumor research uses its venom
  • shark – utilized in the study of certain forms of cancer and muscle degeneration
  • bees – honeybee products prevent microbes from thriving
  • lizards – secrete a toxin that may benefit diabetes sufferers (Ault, 2004)
  • frog – produces compounds that prevent infection

2. Agricultural value

Wild species of plants can be a source of essential genes to improve crops that are grown today. Among those genes that scientists splice from plants’ DNAs are pest or disease resistance, salt tolerance, and drought resistance. These properties can help counter the effects of global climate change.

While there are concerns about genetic engineering products such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), these products helped attain food security. People have had reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food.

For example, genetic material from a wild corn species stopped a leaf fungus that previously wiped out 15% of US corn crop. Thus, more crop production ensued by rapid production of corn that can resist diseases. Technological innovations as well as research and development ensure food security.

Animals such as gecko and spiders are also important natural pest control agents. Geckos feed on at least five different kinds of pests, while spiders are known to prey on cockroaches.

3. Ecological value

Have you heard the famous quote: “No man is an island?” No man stands alone? A song was even composed about this truism on human social behavior.

saveendangeredspecies
No man is an island, no man stands alone.

Just like humans, an individual plant or animal could not live by itself. It has to interact with the other organisms as well as its environment to survive.

Removing one animal or plant species from the ecosystem will compromise the life of other organisms that interact with it. Animal or plant extinction can drastically change an ecosystem.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one lost plant species can lead to the loss of 30 other insects, plant, and other animal species found in the higher levels of the food chain. These individual species of plant or animal are sometimes called the keystone species. If that species is removed, the whole ecosystem will be changed drastically.

Examples to illustrate this importance of endangered species and how they link with other organisms are the following:

  • northern spotted owl – health indicator of the ancient forest of the Pacific Northwest
  • gray wolf – controls the population of the elk
  • killer whale – affects the diet of bald eagles (see Fig. 2)
reasonswhyweshouldsaveendangeredspecies
Figure 2. Chain of events that show how the killer whale can affect the diet of bald eagles.

The illustration shows the food chain dynamics in Alaska. If killer whales (Orcinus orca) deplete the population of otters, the population of sea urchins will increase. Overfeeding of large algae by sea urchins will leave no place to hide or breeding places for fish that in turn will migrate to other areas.

Once the fishes migrate, the bald eagle population switches their diet to marine birds. In this case, it appears that the keystone species are the sea otters. Thus, if killer whales deplete the population of sea otters, the bald eagle’s diet will change. The change in the diet of the bald eagle affects other species in the coastal and marine ecosystems.


If killer whales deplete the population of sea otters, the diet of the bald eagle will change. The change in the diet of the bald eagle affects other species in the coastal and marine ecosystems.


 4. Bequest value

Leaving out a legacy for the next generation is a desirable value. We want our children to enjoy the benefits that could be gained from wildlife species, not only of their mere existence, but also for the potential benefits they can provide.

Here is a video from Above the Noise for more reasons we should save endangered species.

Above The Noise narrates more reasons why we should save endangered species.

How to Save Endangered Species

Endangered animals and plants, considering the four reasons why we should save endangered species, must be conserved by all means possible. Doable initiatives include the following strategies:

  • reforestation,
  • rehabilitation of degraded lands,
  • sustainable harvesting of timber and other natural products,
  • pollution reduction and prevention,
  • waste reduction and management, and
  • development of innovative strategies to conserve endangered species.

Can you think of other ways to conserve endangered species? There may be other reasons why we should save endangered species that you know. Please share your ideas in the comment section below.

References

Ault, A. (2004). Ventures with venoms: several toxin-based products are in the running as treatments for cancer, stroke, and diabetes. The Scientist, 18(19), 43-45.

WebMD, n.d. Digitalis. Retrieved on May 23, 2014 from http://goo.gl/VvlfYD

Withering, W. (1785). An account of the foxglove, and some of its medical uses: with practical remarks on dropsy and other diseases. Classics of Medicine Library.

Shakouri, A., & Wollina, U. (2021). Time to Change Theory; Medical Leech from a Molecular Medicine Perspective Leech Salivary Proteins Playing a Potential Role in Medicine. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin, 11(2), 261.

Zoo Granby, 2014. Why protect endangered species… So what? Retrieved on May 23, 2014 from http://goo.gl/6zFiZn

© 2014 May 23 P. A. Regoniel
Updated 16 November 2020

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