As much as we like to distance ourselves from other organisms, the truth is that we too are entangled within the ecosystems and communities which are being destroyed. We are not so much shooting ourselves in the foot, as committing suicide. The entire world’s genetic engineers, molecular biologists and conjurers can’t replace the variety of [...]

The fishing industry is a prime instance. In the North Sea numerous species of fish have been successively over-exploited, until they no longer provide a sufficient catch to make them economically worth targeting. A new species is then selected and harvested in this excessive way.
There are 17 major fisheries around the world, and only four [...]

By crossing oceans, deserts and mountain ranges, humans have colonized new land, and introduced with them new species (unique or alien species). The introduction of a unique species frequently upsets the balance of nature, and can have fatal effects on native varieties. Commonly, the unique species has no natural enemies within the new land but [...]

One of the most famous and well studied examples from the effects human pollution can have on wildlife was the use from the insecticide DDT, created throughout World War II. It was found to be extremely efficient, and was broadly utilized all more than the world. During this time a serious decline was also noted [...]

Most with the natural habitats still remaining are divided into several smaller sections. Habitat fragmentation can be caused by roads, paths, fences, railways and so on. Although this may not seem too damaging at first, it is now accepted that any barrier to the normal movements of wildlife and plant seeds will result in species [...]

Other natural habitats are also being destroyed. Wetlands (for example mires, mangrove swamps and saltmarshes), tropical dry forests, chalk grassland and heathland are all of ecological importance. These tend to have a higher number of endemic species (species discovered only in a specific area). The amount of land turning into desert, by a process known [...]

Advances in business, agricultural techniques and medical knowledge over the last 150 years have been accompanied by a dramatic increase within the world’s population. These changes have spelt disaster for the ecology of our planet and brought several species to the brink of extinction. A species that has a high probability of becoming extinct within [...]

Since the beginning of life on Earth, the number of species current has been increasing. We’re now living in an age when species diversity is at an all time high. However, the charge at which species are disappearing forever is also at record levels, and far outstrips the charge at which new ones are evolving.
The [...]

During the day bats rest in a roost. Some species roost alone and others type groups. A large bat roost may contain thousands of members. Caves, old mines, house roofs, tree-holes and rock crevices are common roosting websites. Flying foxes frequently hang from trees in clusters. Tent-making bats bite via the midrib of a big [...]

Most bats are extremely similar in appearance, considering the number of species there are. Most are little and weigh 5-20g. The smallest of all mammals is Kitti’s hog-nosed bat at l-3g and 2.9-3.3cm lengthy. Pipistrelles are shrewsized while flying foxes are rabbit-sized. Clad in a furry coat which they moult once a year, bats are [...]