Habitat destruction

TASK 1: Read the article and answer the questions that follow.

Humans are the leading cause of plants and animals becoming endangered or extinct. An endangered species have so few members that the species may die out. Unless something is done to protect an endangered species, they will be gone forever. We will not have any more of that kind of plant or animal on Earth.

The most dangerous thing humans do to endangered animals is destroy their habitats. This is usually because we do not pay very close attention. When there is an area of land we want to use, we don’t notice what is already living there.

Thousands of acres of tropical forest, or rainforest, have been destroyed by humans. People wanted the land and lumber for building projects. Countless plants and animals have been lost in this one habitat alone. Many of the organisms that live in the tropical rainforest do not live anywhere else. We are just beginning to discover medicines and other resources there. We risk losing that knowledge if more species die out.

Most of us don’t live near a tropical rainforest. However, that does not mean we are far away from habitat destruction. When a town expands, more houses and businesses are built. The town pushes the local wildlife farther from its natural habitat. Wetlands and grasslands are unique habitats that are especially at risk. Thankfully, people are more aware of the problem. This is the first step toward protecting habitats.