What is species loss?
 

      Since the beginning of time, our Earth has been changing.  The environment and habitats of the planets species are constantly being improved and tailored.  These changes pose a threat to species. This is known as species loss or endangered species. It is a species that is present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction. There are numerous causes of species loss, including both natural and manmade.  Natural causes changed at an ongoing pace giving species a chance to adapt to the changing environment. They include Global Climate Change, Greenhouse Effect, Introduce Species, Cascade Effect, and Pollution of Habitats.
     Pollution causes the endangerment of certain species.  Acid rain has caused many lakes around North America to become lifeless.  Air pollution has damaged thousands of forest and the species that live within them throughout the world.  It is a major effect of Global Climate Change or Global Warming.  Because of pollutants in the air gases, become trapped within the atmosphere causing a rise in temperature anywhere from one to three degrees.  Numerous species are unable to adjust themselves fast enough to keep up with the changing environment.
     The loss of a certain species can result in a disturbing outcome to the remaining species. This is known as the Cascade Effect. The type of species it alters and how the effect depends on the kind of ecosystem is taking place in.  Another inevitable factor of species loss is known as Introduced Species. This occurs when animals unknowingly eat other animals to survive. “In these isolated ecosystems, a new predator, competitor, or pathogen can rapidly imperil species that did not co-evolve with the newcomer.”
There are many causes of man-made habitat loss.  Some of the human activities that have led to habitat loss are farming, urbanization, mining, road building, pollution and recreation.  The following describes each of these activities that have caused so much damage to certain types of species.
     A great portion of the land in the United States is used for farming.  “Agricultural development, particularly the conversion of the small family farm into the massive single crop agribusiness, is the leading cause of habitat destruction in this country, substantially impacting our forests, range lands and wetlands.”   Small family farms are converting into large corporate farms causing more crops to be planted, an increase in soil erosion, and an increase in water pollution because of the need for more fertilizers.
     Urbanization is another threat to species loss.  More and more people are starting to leave the city and move into areas that are more rural.  This influx of people into urban areas is causing building companies to cut down more trees to make lots to build houses.  In the meantime, animals are being driven out of their natural habitat and forced to adapt to an area with high human activity.
“Mining significantly impacts ecosystems by destroying habitat and polluting and degrading streams and waterways.”   Mining causes an excess amount of underground material to be brought to the surface of the ground.  When the rain hits these underground materials and erosion is created that is very acidic and very toxic to aquatic species.
     Road building causes much damage to an ecosystem.  A dirt road brings down the quality of the water in nearby streams and rivers because of erosion.  Paved roads force water to be drained in a different place, which is often polluted with lead, oil and gasoline.  “When roads cut through an ecosystem, further habitat degradation and fragmentation results.  The introduction of roads in the wilderness increases the chance of species being hit by cars or killed or illegal hunting or trapping.
     Many species have been impacted by chemicals that humans put into the environment.  “For example, more than a billion pounds of toxic chemicals were discharged directly into America's water's between 1990 and 1994…thirty million pounds of these chemicals were carcinogens, reproductive toxins or persistent toxic metals.”   As can be assumed these chemicals killed many species because it affects their immune, nervous and reproductive systems.
     Some forms of human recreation invade wildlife and habitats.  One of the most dangerous out-door forms of recreation is the use of off- road vehicles.  “These vehicles provide access to remote wilderness areas, resulting in the harassment of wildlife and an increase in legal and illegal hunting and trapping.”   The use of these off-road vehicles also results in the accidental killing of wildlife.
 

                            What are Snow Leopards?

     Snow leopards (panthera unica unica) are known to be found in the mountains of Central Asia. These animals can be found in the countries of: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Snow leopards are known for their whitish gray fur with dark rosettes and spots. They have a short, broad muzzle, large forepaws, short limbs, well developed chest muscles, long hair with dense wooly underfur, and a exceptionally long tail. Adult shoulder height ranges around 60 cm with head and body length of 100130 cm. Female adult weight ranges from 35-40 kilos and male adult weight is from 45-55 kilos.
     Snow leopards are typically solitary animals throughout the year, until their mating season which occurs from January through late March. A typical litter consists of 2-4 cubs. Their maximum reproductive age is 15 years (in captivity) and their average life span is up to 21 years, (also in captivity). Males and females do not form life-long bonds, as it was once believed, and the males have no role in the raising of the cubs. The cubs start out by hunting with their mother through their first winter, then begin to disperse around 18-22 months old.
     These leopards prefer to live in alpine and sub alpine zones which are usually characterized by a sparse grassy or shrubby vegetation. They rarely venture above 17,000 feet and they prefer steep, rugged terrain broken by cliffs, ridges, gullies, and rocky outcrops. They are at the top of the food chain, making them a predator who is able to kill prey up to three times its own weight. It preys mostly upon blue sheep, ibex, marmots, and other animals distinctive to the Asian mountains.
     Snow leopards can be crepuscular or nocturnal, which scientists believe is due to the degree of persecution by humans. They are excellent rock climbers and prefer to travel along linear features such as major ridge lines, gullies, and the base or crest of broken cliffs.

                         How are Snow Leopards affected by species loss?

     The most significant cause of species loss today is habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation.  As humans destroy and degrade ecosystems that species rely upon for survival, we are causing species to decline and eventually disappear.  The activities of humans threaten the snow leopard's survival, making people key to its protection and conservation.  The snow leopard is currently an endangered species, and due to the inaccessibility of their habitat, the exact number left in the wild is unknown.  However, some estimates are as high as seven thousand and some as low as forty-five hundred.  The snow leopard is a mighty predator that generally preys upon animals that are two to three times their size.  On the other hand, the snow leopard is consistently hunted for their beautiful furs and their bones.  The pelt of a snow leopard is deemed as very valuable, as they are used to make rugs and coats.  As well, snow leopard bones have recently become a substitute for bones of the near extinct tiger, which are used in traditional East Asian medicines.  The snow leopard is protected internationally however poachers and trappers continue to hunt them because of the great money reward for the furs and bones.
     Another large problem for the snow leopards and their survival is farmers and villagers moving into snow leopard territory.  Many villagers with growing domestic herds have moved into snow leopard territory.  By doing this, the natural ecosystem is being disrupted by humans, and the natural prey of the snow leopards is being forced to other areas.  With the relocation of the snow leopard's natural prey, they are forced to make an easy meal of the farmer's livestock.  Most of these villagers are poor and depend on their animals for survival, and would much rather kill a snow leopard than lose an animal from the herd.  The problem of snow leopards being killed by herdsmen has become a very big problem.  In attempts to save snow leopards, programs have begun which provide incentives for these people in return for protecting, rather than competing with snow leopards.  Unlike the elephant for its tusks, the snow leopard is hunted for at least two reasons, the fur for materialistic purposes and the bones for medicinal cultural purposes.  Like the demand for other animal skins such as the snake and the alligator, the demand for the snow leopards assets will most likely always be present.  We can only wonder how long it will be until the snow leopard is extinct.  Programs such as the International Snow Leopard Trust will be instrumental in the future of the species.  ISLT is the leader in snow leopard research and conservation efforts.

Additional Information
Wildlife Need Wild Places

World Resources Institute

Snow Leopard Endangered

References