Currently, nature is in danger for a number of reasons. First, there is always the possibility of another contamination. Environmental catastrophes of a different nature are increasingly hanging over the inhabitants of the Earth. Secondly, the constantly changing climate creates negative conditions for the environment. You can list many more reasons due to which the quality of life is deteriorating not only for humans, but also for animals. Because of this, they may reduce their numbers or even disappear as a species.
Causes of extinction
Why are so many species now under threat? Why was the Red Book of Animals created? There are several options. This may be due to biotic factors. These include actions performed by the animals themselves. For example, an uncontrolled increase in the level of reproduction of a species, or, on the contrary, a fair influence of predators on it, can change life and affect the number of individuals. Another important factor is abiotic. This is, first of all, climate change and habitat conditions of animals. And, of course, one cannot but pay attention to the most important factor of our time - anthropogenic. This is, of course, the actions of the person himself. After all, the influence that wewe have on nature, immensely and not always positively.
Creation of the Red Book
Recognizing the importance of preserving nature and animal species, the International Association for Conservation of Nature has taken the initiative. In early 1949, she created the Commission responsible for rare species. And already in the 60s, the first Red Book of Animals was published. What is she like? First of all, her main task was to make a list of especially rare species that are on the verge of extinction. Each animal is accompanied by an illustration and annotation that briefly describes the lifestyle, habitat, diet and reason for the disappearance of individuals. Moreover, animals are divided into groups. What animals are in the Red Book? These, of course, are mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, etc. The section of mammals is the largest. They, in turn, are divided into artiodactyls, equids, rodents, predators, bats and many others.
Animals from the Red Book of Russia
Russia is a huge country, rich not only in its natural resources, but also in the diversity of animal species living in its vast territories. It would be strange if they were not subjected to natural and unnatural extermination. Therefore, the animals from the Red Book of Russia amaze with their number and diversity.
If it were possible to create a "top three", talking about the most famous endangered species in Russia, it would not amount to muchlabor.
Red book. Animals, list
The Amur tiger would certainly have taken the leading position in Russia's book. This predator, living in the Far East, was on the verge of death in the 1930s. Then there were only 20-30 tigers left. Action has been taken to change the situation. The hunting of animals was banned. Therefore, by the 1950s, there were already as many as 100 tigers. Now, according to recent estimates, there are about 400 of them left., on the contrary, is quite large. The Red Book, animals, the list of which is huge, is becoming wider. Of course, the activity of poachers most of all reduces the standard of living of a tiger. They continue to hunt them despite injunctions and the threat of jail time. These people are not afraid of anything in pursuit of money. They sell skins to China and other Asian countries.
Polar bear
Another animal whose numbers are constantly declining is the polar bear. Few animals of the Red Book, the description of which is constantly updated, are so valuable for our country. Polar bears live in several places. So, they are in Greenland, on the coast of the Barents Sea, in Chukotka. According to their range, they are divided into populations belonging to a particular habitat zone. For the most part, their number remains stably low in all places. What is it connected with? Natural low factorbirth rate and high mortality of cubs leads to a reduction in the number of bears. In addition, changes in the Arctic climate have an impact on the food supply. And of course, a person is able not only to change the last condition by killing seals, but also to exterminate the bears themselves for known poaching purposes.
Steppe Eagle
One of the most valuable birds for Russia is the steppe eagle. No wonder they dedicate songs and fairy tales to him, sing of his beauty and freedom. The latter is limited by the anthropogenic factor. Since the plowing of virgin lands began, the number of birds has declined sharply. It is difficult for them to adapt to life in agrocenoses. Young eagles are killed by power lines. Stocks of food (ground squirrels) also constantly vary. Nests that birds build (usually in old haystacks) are often accidentally burned. All this does not contribute in any way to the fact that the number of eagles has become normal. The Red Book of Animals indicates that no more than 19,000 pairs of them remain in the European part of Russia. This is a very low figure. There is also poaching. Although hunting and illegal export of birds have long been banned, this does not stop the criminals.
In our age, animals have had a severe test. They have to survive in new conditions created by man. The Red Book of Animals helps to detect and record endangered species to make a difference.