Animal Extinction In The Dominican Republic

Animal Extinction in the Dominican Republic

Theoretical framework

Extinction of species

According to Mercadal (S.F.), extinction is the definitive disappearance of some animal or plant species on our planet. It is an irreversible process. Millions of and thousands of years ago extinctions occurred due to natural causes, but in the last centuries they have accelerated by the direct or indirect action of man. In this way, it is definitely deprived of organisms (even not yet discovered) that could be beneficial.

A species can become functionally extinct, when only a handful of individuals survive, who are unable to reproduce due to poor health, age, distribution dispersed in a wide range, the lack of individuals of both sexes, etc.

In ecology, species extinction is often used informally to refer to local extinction, in which a species ceases to exist in the study area, but it still exists in other places. This phenomenon is known as "removal". Species extinction can have chain effects, causing the extinction of more of them. This is called "chain extinction" being especially common with the extinction of key species.

Native species

The terms native species, native or indigenous species in biogeography are used to describe the species that corresponds to an ecosystem or determined area. Therefore, these are species that originated naturally, without the help of man, in certain distribution areas.

The fauna and natural flora of a region are a consequence of specific factors of that distribution area, of which they are native. On the other hand, if they move outside their natural region, they become species introduced in domesticated organisms.

A native species does not have to be endemic, since in biology and ecology it is considered endemic to the native species of a particular biota. An indigenous species can adapt to different places. Native species are vegetation and native animals in the region that, being adapted to each other, make up a particular ecosystem. When introduced species are incorporated or native species are destroyed, the ecosystem balance system is altered and can even reach the extreme of not being able to restore the balance naturally.

Invasive species

An invasive species is defined as;an exotic species whose introduction causes or can cause economic, environmental damage or damage to human health. With respect to a particular ecosystem, an exotic species is any species that is not native to that ecosystem.

Native species can be added to a community, either by the range of natural distribution or as a result of human activity, most non -native harmful species have ecological effects, by which they are known as invasive species. Virtually all ecosystems are exposed to the harmful effects of the introduction of invasive species.

Invasive species are an important threat to the environment because:

1. They can change habitats and alter the function of ecosystems and environmental services.
2. They throw or replace native species.
3. They damage human activities, with an excessive cost in the economy.

Species in ban

The term "ban" refers to the time space in which it is forbidden to hunt or fish. Veda species are those that cannot be consumed, hunted or fish for a specific time or time.

Problem

The Ministry of Environment, in its 2012-2016 Institutional Strategic Plan, indicates as main threats to local biodiversity the conservation and/or destruction of habitats, citing in this factor the expansion of agriculture, livestock, tourism development andmining actions;overexploitation of fauna and flora, due to excessive fishing and hunting and illegal collection;the effects of invasive species on biodiversity, especially terrestrial;Climate instability and the degradation of habitats and functions of the ecosystem, this due to forest fires and pollution of the earth and water.

We can say that, in danger of extinction are the consequences left by man’s activities with all his actions;being those like stalking to the environment for pollution activities;no recycling;overexploitation of natural resources, as well as forest exploitation. Each of these activities has an impact on the health of the environment and with it to the living beings that are in the midst of each of the ecosystems;having greater consequences of danger;Animal species.

This is how it has been determined that the headquarters when he tested on animals in danger of extinction is man;Since it goes at all times altering the integrity of habitats, wet or seos and in any season, resulting as the decrease and loss of many important animal species for the conservation of the food chain in all its ranges.

Justification

The ecosystems and biodiversity that they house are the life support of the Earth -we must depend on them, for the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink, the wetlands filter the pollutants of the water;Plants and trees reduce global warming absorbing carbon, microorganisms decompose the matter organize and fertilize the soil, to provide food. Biodiversity helps pollinate flowers and crops and also provide food and medicines for our well -being. Without it we would not be able to survive.

The importance of our natural world is revealed in the thousands of different ways in which Earth’s organism interact with each other, to contribute to the balance of the global ecosystem and the survival of the planet. Tropical forests are important simply by their existence, to protect the innate and cultural values of the natural world. Preserving biological diversity now, we make it possible for future generations to value and also benefit from it. Now more than ever, we must be conservationists.

The degradation of natural habitats continues at an alarming pace, and the near future will determine how much nature will survive and which creatures will fade with their unique genes and their role carefully designed in the plot of life. Creating awareness about the speed with which we are impacting the habitat of endemic and native species is the purpose of this project, so the course of this research is important.

Formulation and systematization of the research problem

Formulation:

• What are the species of land fauna that are currently in danger of extinction in the Dominican Republic and what environmental factors have influenced it?

Systematization:

• How could the disappearance of endemic fauna affect the country?
• What Dominican government institutions are responsible for the care of threatened species?
• What are the measures issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the last list of threatened and protected species?

Research objectives

General objective:

Identify the in danger of extinction and rebuild the main factors that influence the disappearance of species.

Specific objectives:

• Categorize threatened species according to their condition: vulnerable, protected or endangered.
• Analyze the environments where these species are reproduced.
• Conceptualize the environmental conditions that have influenced the extinction of species.
• Consider possible alternatives to solve environmental problems.

Materials and methods

To get closer to the answers that respond to the questioners who support our research, we will have a working group composed of six university students who will have diverse functions, from collecting information to digitting and tabulating the idealized part of the project, with the purpose of materializing it.

In our agenda we have a visit to the National Zoo as the first phase for data collection. At first we will participate in the tour of the area assisted by a specialist guide in charge of issuing the general information of the animals in the area. Then, we will request an interview with one of the collaborators of the place, in order to illustrate us about the endemic species of the Dominican Republic that are in danger of extinction, statements that will be recorded in audio and video.

Another technique used to investigate is the documentary analysis where we will use some secondary information sources as scientific articles obtained from magazines brochures or books from which we intend to extract all the relevant data and concerning the endemic species of our country the main factors of their extinction andKnow what are the organisms that work in favor of their preservation.

Results

In studies carried out to land fauna in the Dominican Republic (2011) it shows a total number of invertebrate animals of 8,529, of which 6,833 are terrestrial and vertebrates, such as the most studied species a total of 483, to make a total total summationof 7,316 terrestrial species, predominantly over the sailors, also, being the invertebrates a group greater than that of vertebrates.Following in 2011, there were 223 species at risk including both marine and land, increasing in 2018 to 434, of which 151 are terrestrial and other marine or aerial.For the evaluation of the state of threat of animal species, the categories established by the IUCN, 2010, mentioned above, critical danger, in danger and vulnerable were taken into account.

Discussion and conclusion

To classify an animal in danger of extinction, it is necessary that their living conditions have been mistreated to a degree in which it no longer has the ability to reproduce enough to create new generations of support causing total eliminationof this species. So when we use the term "in danger of extinction" it is because in a short time this species will cease to exist. There are different reasons why a species can be found in danger of extinction, however the species that have depended on consumption or direct interaction with human beings with human beings can be much more threatened.

Because of this, we need to be aware of how our actions are able to cause until the extinction of certain animals and be more aware of how we can protect these endangered species, since the total extinction of a species leads to an entirechain of extinctions until reaching the last link of the chain that could be the human species. In other words this means that if our animals are in danger because of our own actions the same will happen with us if we are not able to put on our part achieving a change.But as we know this is something that affects us worldwide, in the same way the change begins with ourselves, as a person, then as a city and then as a country. In the Dominican Republic it is estimated that more than 77 species of animals are in danger of extinction. This is due to the abuse that we have caused to these species for both pollution, when we destroy their habitats or for other effects of overpopulation.

The diverse causes of animals that are in danger of extinction are usually identified according to the origin and type of activity that generates the degrading effects for these species;But we are completely sure that man’s action is undeniable in all categories. However, we can see that there are also biological causes or natural disasters that cause the extinction of some species. Within these natural processes that are capable of provoking the extinction of some species of animals and that even today there are many in danger is due to the age of life or aging;diseases that may appear, parasitism and even competition with other species in different types of activities.

While catastrophes of natural origin affect animals from fires, droughts, volcanoes and hurricanes. Although all these catastrophes occur naturally these are leaving an important consequence in animals until causing possible extinctions due to the elimination of complete families later and during mass catastrophes. Although these are not events that take place every day are still serious due to the immense amount of species that eliminate in one step;removing all the opportunity to do the reproduction function and combat extinctions. This is because when a natural disaster occurs, it happens greatly dragging with whether everything you find in its path.

However, the main cause of the extinction of species is undoubtedly those generated by the activity of the human being. These are the causes covered by most of those from the extinction of animals. Within these causes are: stalking to the environment due to pollution, non -recycling, overexploitation of natural resources, especially forest exploitation, ending this way with millions of inhabitants for no number of species.

These activities carried out by human beings have an impact on the health of the environment and living beings that are in half a decade one of these ecosystems. Another activity that the human being puts into practice that undoubtedly causes the extinction of some species is hunting. This is the majority cause that the human being directly generates to end species which is also fully intentional.

Within the consequences of in danger of extinction, the change given in the ecosystem is considered as a whole, which brings with itself the imbalance of other species by decreasing the quality of the trophic chain, which is involving all typesof animals found in different habitats.Unfortunately when a species extinguishes the entire ecosystem, gradually affecting that those left in the environment are also affected in all its aspects, not only by food but also due to the changes that occur at the level of the resources thatThey surround them.

Within the consequences of extinction animals we can find:

• Loss of genetic diversity.
• The complete extinction of species
• Human evolution
• The rapid destruction of the ecosystem

In conclusion we can see that the main cause of the extinction of the species is caused by man, since these perform activities that in one way or another directly affect a number of animals or the environment causing death in this wayand elimination of many species. However, natural disasters is also another of the reasons why species are threatened. Although this is the case, we still have the opportunity to see a change in humanity, taking care of our world and its animals.

References

1. Garcia, p., (2016). Dominican flora and fauna: 333 species in critical danger. Retrieved on December 1, 2019, available at: https: // www.the money.com.DO/28730/FLORA-Y-FAUNA-DOMINICANA-333-SPECIES-EN-PELIGRO-CRITIC/
2. Guerrero, p. (2012). Native species. Retrieved on December 1, 2019. Available at: https: // geography.Laguia2000.com/Biogeography/Native species
3. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, (2011). List of endangered species, threatened or protected from the Dominican Republic, Red List. Available at: File: /// c:/users/Amelia%20Jaret/Downloads/List_rojard-National.PDF
4. Mercadal, i., (s.F.). Meaning of extinction. Retrieved on December 1, 2019. Available at: https: // www.Mendoza.CONICET.GOV.AR/PORTAL/ENCYCLOPEDIA/TERMS/EXTINCTION.htm
5. International nature and culture, (s.F.). Why conserve ecosystems and biodiversity? Retrieved on December 1, 2019. Available at: http: // www.nature and culture.org/spanish/htm/why.htm
6. Royal Spanish Academy, (S.F.). Meaning of ban. Retrieved on December 1, 2019. Available at: https: // leave.RAE.is/motto/Veda
7. Drafting, (2017). In danger of extinction: causes, consequences and list of animals in extinction. Retrieved on December 1, 2019. Available at: https: // summit.org/Animals/Hazard-Excent/