The Negative Impacts of Human Practices on Local Animal Wildlife
By Danielle Kursh and Adam Friedman
People see Marin as a place full of blooming flowers and rich wildlife. However, much of what makes Marin beautiful is being ruined by the humans that live there. Humans have negatively impacted the wildlife in Marin in a number of different ways. Some of the animals that have been affected by humans are the river otter, the coyote and the Showy Indian Clover. Otters have been exposed to dangerous pathogens such as Vibrio that are leading to disease and death at a troubling rate. Additionally, the largest known cause for death of the otters is being hit by cars. It is clear that the otter population is being ravaged by human actions. The coyotes are also being harmed by humans. In order to control the North American coyote, humans used broadcast poisoning, trapping, and selective poisoning. Coyotes were harmed and killed because of human cruelty in attempt to control them. Along with the otter and the coyote, the Showy Indian Clover, a flower native to California, is in danger of becoming extinct. They used to grow all over the place, but, due to loss of habitat, they are now listed as an endangered species. The constant factor throughout all of these cases is humans. Humans, whether it be through pollution or urbanization, are harming the organisms in our environment.
Although damage has been done, some are trying to solve the issues caused. The killing of the coyotes is being protested by several groups and we are now working on ways of controlling coyotes without harm or death. In addition to helping the coyotes, people are trying to reintroduce the Showy Indian Clover to more environments in hope of reviving the species as a whole. This species was once a central part of the Bay Area ecosystem and was a major food source for many animals. However, much of the population was exterminated as more areas were developed. In 2006, the plant was put on the endangered species list. According to the Endangered Species Bulletin, “The single remaining wild population grows in the front yard of a private residence in coastal Marin County” ( Bloom). There has been a major movement to revive the plant population throughout Marin. It has been relatively successful. Another animal deeply impacted by human encroachment on their habitat is the river otter. An assessment of the otters states, “A pilot assessment of disease and mortality indicates that otters are being exposed to pathogens such as Vibrio and that observable mortality was largely due to car-strikes” (Bouley, Isadore, and Carroll). This animal’s population was greatly decreased by humans in a very direct way. Car accidents involving otters have crippled the population, along with the pathogen Vibrio. However, measures are being taken to rebuild the depleted otter population. Ecosystem restoration efforts have been very successful so far. The future is promising for these otters.
Similarly affected by humans is the coyote. The coyote population has been greatly reduced by farmers attempting to protect their land. Coyotes have also been harmed by ingesting poisonous materials designed to keep the population down. According to the article "Making Peace with the Coyotes", “From the 1920s to the 1970s, North American coyote populations were subject to broadcast poisoning with strychnine-laced animal carcasses” (Agocs). The farmers involved in protecting their land would shoot coyotes to keep their animals and produce safe. At a certain point, people recognized that the coyote population was so low. In response, programs have been created that use alternative means of protecting farms, such as dogs, and the poisoning of these animals has decreased: “Public pressure ended that practice, and coyotes began to repopulate areas, like Marin, from which they had been driven out” (Agocs). Since the implementation of these programs, the coyote population is doing better.
Through harming plants and animals, humans have been unknowingly affecting themselves. Many ecosystems have been deteriorating. Beautiful wildlife areas are now devoid of many of the plants and animals that once made them unique and special. Through reducing the size of animal populations, people miss out on wonderful ecosystems. Many animals and plants are affected by humans, some to near extinction. Fortunately, people have taken notice and are taking steps in the right direction to keep our ecosystems alive and well. There is still much to be done to stop humans from hurting animals. Luckily, efforts are being made to help support our rich environment and the wonderful animals that constitute it. Hopefully, the practices that have threatened our ecosystems in the past will cease their destruction of native populations of animals. The first step must be with humans. Therefore, it can only be people who will truly make a difference in reestablishing said populations.
Work Cited
Bloom, Valary. "Showy Indian Clover Reintroduction Project." Endangered Species Bulletin Spring 2009: 46. General OneFile. Web. 1 June 2015.
Bouley, Paola, Megan Isadore, and Terence Carroll. "Return Of North American River Otters, Lontra Canadensis, To Coastal Habitats Of The San Francisco Bay Area, California." Northwestern Naturalist 96.1 (2015): 1-12. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2015.
Agocs, Clifford. "Making Peace With Coyote." Bay Nature 7.1 (2007): 7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2015.
People see Marin as a place full of blooming flowers and rich wildlife. However, much of what makes Marin beautiful is being ruined by the humans that live there. Humans have negatively impacted the wildlife in Marin in a number of different ways. Some of the animals that have been affected by humans are the river otter, the coyote and the Showy Indian Clover. Otters have been exposed to dangerous pathogens such as Vibrio that are leading to disease and death at a troubling rate. Additionally, the largest known cause for death of the otters is being hit by cars. It is clear that the otter population is being ravaged by human actions. The coyotes are also being harmed by humans. In order to control the North American coyote, humans used broadcast poisoning, trapping, and selective poisoning. Coyotes were harmed and killed because of human cruelty in attempt to control them. Along with the otter and the coyote, the Showy Indian Clover, a flower native to California, is in danger of becoming extinct. They used to grow all over the place, but, due to loss of habitat, they are now listed as an endangered species. The constant factor throughout all of these cases is humans. Humans, whether it be through pollution or urbanization, are harming the organisms in our environment.
Although damage has been done, some are trying to solve the issues caused. The killing of the coyotes is being protested by several groups and we are now working on ways of controlling coyotes without harm or death. In addition to helping the coyotes, people are trying to reintroduce the Showy Indian Clover to more environments in hope of reviving the species as a whole. This species was once a central part of the Bay Area ecosystem and was a major food source for many animals. However, much of the population was exterminated as more areas were developed. In 2006, the plant was put on the endangered species list. According to the Endangered Species Bulletin, “The single remaining wild population grows in the front yard of a private residence in coastal Marin County” ( Bloom). There has been a major movement to revive the plant population throughout Marin. It has been relatively successful. Another animal deeply impacted by human encroachment on their habitat is the river otter. An assessment of the otters states, “A pilot assessment of disease and mortality indicates that otters are being exposed to pathogens such as Vibrio and that observable mortality was largely due to car-strikes” (Bouley, Isadore, and Carroll). This animal’s population was greatly decreased by humans in a very direct way. Car accidents involving otters have crippled the population, along with the pathogen Vibrio. However, measures are being taken to rebuild the depleted otter population. Ecosystem restoration efforts have been very successful so far. The future is promising for these otters.
Similarly affected by humans is the coyote. The coyote population has been greatly reduced by farmers attempting to protect their land. Coyotes have also been harmed by ingesting poisonous materials designed to keep the population down. According to the article "Making Peace with the Coyotes", “From the 1920s to the 1970s, North American coyote populations were subject to broadcast poisoning with strychnine-laced animal carcasses” (Agocs). The farmers involved in protecting their land would shoot coyotes to keep their animals and produce safe. At a certain point, people recognized that the coyote population was so low. In response, programs have been created that use alternative means of protecting farms, such as dogs, and the poisoning of these animals has decreased: “Public pressure ended that practice, and coyotes began to repopulate areas, like Marin, from which they had been driven out” (Agocs). Since the implementation of these programs, the coyote population is doing better.
Through harming plants and animals, humans have been unknowingly affecting themselves. Many ecosystems have been deteriorating. Beautiful wildlife areas are now devoid of many of the plants and animals that once made them unique and special. Through reducing the size of animal populations, people miss out on wonderful ecosystems. Many animals and plants are affected by humans, some to near extinction. Fortunately, people have taken notice and are taking steps in the right direction to keep our ecosystems alive and well. There is still much to be done to stop humans from hurting animals. Luckily, efforts are being made to help support our rich environment and the wonderful animals that constitute it. Hopefully, the practices that have threatened our ecosystems in the past will cease their destruction of native populations of animals. The first step must be with humans. Therefore, it can only be people who will truly make a difference in reestablishing said populations.
Work Cited
Bloom, Valary. "Showy Indian Clover Reintroduction Project." Endangered Species Bulletin Spring 2009: 46. General OneFile. Web. 1 June 2015.
Bouley, Paola, Megan Isadore, and Terence Carroll. "Return Of North American River Otters, Lontra Canadensis, To Coastal Habitats Of The San Francisco Bay Area, California." Northwestern Naturalist 96.1 (2015): 1-12. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2015.
Agocs, Clifford. "Making Peace With Coyote." Bay Nature 7.1 (2007): 7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2015.