Human-induced extinction and endangerment of two Indonesian species (Bali tiger and Asian elephant) and its affects on humans
Kara Collier
Nikki Engel
Carly Magill
Carly Wickhem
Geography 361 - Environmental Hazards
In the past, our world's historical extinctions have been caused by natural processes and great catastrophes such as volcanic eruptions and meteorites. Currently, earth is on the brink of its sixth great extinction, but this extinction is much different because its affects are greatly enhanced due to human activities. Scientists predict that approximately 100 species go extinct every day, many of which have yet to be discovered.
Two of Indonesia's major megafauna, the extinct Bali tiger (Panthera tigris balica) and the currently endangered Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), have been directly affected by deforestation and overexploitation by humans. When these umbrella species are removed, or their populations drastically decreased, their ecosystem is no longer homeostatic, which means all surrounding species, including humans, are affected. Throwing this delicate system off balance can have several negative affects on humans, such as increasing the populations of pest species, or decreasing populations of beneficial species. Because tigers are the top predator in most food chains, removing them will have the largest effect, referred to as the top-down effect, as opposed to species lower in the chain.
The endangerment of the Asian elephant is also affecting humans. As their habitas are being deforested, they are moving onto human-occupied land and destroying crops and property. If the deforestation was to stop and their natural environment restored, this would decrease the human-elephant conflicts occurring throughout Indonesia.
While humans have caused the extinction/endangerment of these two major megafauana, the loss of these species has been negatively affecting their 0surrounding species and will continue to in the future.
GENERAL BACKGROUND ON INDONESIA'S SUSCEPTIBILITY
DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE MEGAFAUNA: 1900 VS 2001
DEFORESTATION: WHY DO WE CARE?
"Only when the rivers run dry, the trees are all gone and the animals are all dead will humans realize that we can't eat money..." Unknown.