ENDANGERED SPECIES IN A RISING TIDE OF HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

Abstract

The tremendous increase in the world's population is described in relation to depletions in the populations of wild plants and animals. Examples are given from the tropics, from islands and from temperate continental areas. Evidence from the better-studied regions shows that many species are declining in numbers. The most frequent cause of this is the destruction of essential features of their wild habitats. The case of the Cape Floristic Kingdom in South Africa, probably the richest area for flowering plants in the world, is examined. The area once occupied by its vegetation has been reduced by man by 61%, to remnants that are together smaller than the Kruger National Park. About 20% of the plant species in the Kingdom are suspected of being not far from extinction. It is shown that there is a good case for increasing the number and size of nature reserves in South Africa, to help preserve the country's natural heritage against the pressures of a human population that is growing by 60 000 persons a month. Basic priorities are a reduction in this population growth, education on the importance of natural diversity, and a better economic status for conservation.