Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________
Trying to Save Plants and Animals
works with the International Union for Conservation of
Nature.
The other reason to save species is to maintain
biodiversity, which is diversity among plant and
animal species. Conservationists maintain that
biodiversity is key to environmental health. Why? The
living things that share an environment depend on one
another to meet their needs for food, shelter, and more.
The threatened species in Europe, which include
This is an Iberian lynx photographed in Spain. European
officials say that hundreds of native plants and animals are
endangered, and they have a plan to help save some species.
BRUSSELS, Belgium. The Iberian lynx prowls
the grasslands of southern Spain. The Mediterranean
monk seal swims waters off Greece and Turkey. The
Bavarian pine vole scurries in the high meadows of the
Alps mountain range. These are among the hundreds of
European animal species that are threatened with
extinction. This includes up to a quarter of the total
species native to the continent. That's according to a
warning that the European Union (EU) issued in May
2011. Europe's plant life is threatened as well, say
environmentalists. They argue that saving these species
is important for a healthy environment.
"Biodiversity is in crisis, with species
extinctions running at unparalleled rates," said a
statement from the European Union's Environment
Commissioner, Janez Potocnik.
Environmentalists maintain that there are two
reasons for saving species. One reason is moral. People
have an obligation to preserve species, even if there are
no consequences for letting them go extinct.
"The species [were] here before we were even
here, so there's... a moral issue," said Ana Nieto. Nieto
mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and butterflies,
as well as plant life, are disappearing for several
reasons. Loss of habitat, pollution, presence of
invasive species, climate change, and overfishing have
all resulted in species decline. As species have
disappeared, biodiversity has become threatened.
According to Nieto, the loss of biodiversity is
more acute in Europe than in many other parts of the
world. That's because Europe is highly developed, both
residentially and industrially. With an average of
nearly 180 people per square mile, Europe is the
second most crowded continent, after Asia. Europe is
about three times as crowded with people as North
America.
"Today, biodiversity doesn't simply mean the
protection of rare plants and species," said Sarolta
Tripolzsky, with the European Environmental Bureau.
"It's about protecting a system people rely on to live.
The costs of replacing nature's free services would be
[enormous]."
Conservationists argue that ecosystems take
time to find a complex balance among living things.
Changing one seemingly small aspect of an ecosystem
can have significant consequences that cannot always
be foreseen.
The crisis threatens humans, as well. That's
because it can potentially cause economic and social
Environmentalists have generally welcomed
the targets. Still, they have expressed doubts. "There
needs to be funding [to reach the targets], and there's
not really funding," said Nieto.
problems in Europe, said Joe Hennon, an EU
Environmentalists say that the EU strategy
spokesperson. How can the disappearance of species
"appears to fall short of delivering what is needed to
harm humans? The continuing loss of birds can allow
protect Europe's valuable natural resource base."
insects to breed at alarming rates, harming crops,
Hennon acknowledged that funding so far is
Hennon said. A reduced number of bees prevents some
insufficient to meet the EU's goals. A report explaining
plants from multiplying. Disappearing forests mean
the EU's new proposals said the EU is determining the
water is not cleaned naturally. (Forests clean water
funding needs for meeting the 2020 goals. The EU
because trees absorb carbon dioxide.) Having fewer
failed to meet its biodiversity targets for 2010.
trees allows the soil to loosen, making floods and mud
slides more likely.
On behalf of the EU, Potocnik set a variety of
Hennon believes that governments should
spend sufficient money to preserve species from
extinction. "People say, 'Yes, but we don't have the
targets. These include halting the loss of species in the
money to spend on environmental protection. Surely
European Union countries by 2020, putting
growth and jobs are more important,'" Hennon said. "...
management plans in place for all forests, restoring at
[But] you can have [terrible] flooding because forests
least 15 percent of damaged ecosystems, controlling
have been cut down. [Forests can help protect against
invasive species, and more.
flooding.] So it ends up costing you more in the long
run.”
Dictionary
aspect (noun) particular part or feature of something
consequence (noun) the result of an action or event
exchange (verb) to give something and get something in return
invasive species (noun) a type of plant or animal that enters an area to which it is not native
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. What is a cause and effect relationship that takes
place in the article?
3. Which of these is a statement of opinion?
A. The European Union reported that it did not meet its
biodiversity targets for 2010.
A. Many factors, including loss of habitat, pollution, and
presence of invasive species, have led to a decline in
B.
species, even if there are no consequences for letting
species.
them go extinct.
B. The loss of biodiversity in Europe has caused many
farmers to go out of business on the continent.
C. With an average of nearly 180 people per square mile,
Europe is the second most crowded continent.
C. The loss of biodiversity in North America has led to an
increase in invasive species from Europe.
D. Climate change and overfishing have caused the
European Union to miss important environmental
deadlines.
2. What is this article mainly about?
A. Some people believe they have an obligation to protect
Humans must do everything possible to preserve
D.
The European Union said that hundreds of European
animal species are threatened with extinction.
4. Which is the closest synonym for the word
consequence?
A. Debut
B. Outcome
plant species, even if there are no consequences for
C. Barrier
letting them go extinct.
D. Income
B. The environmental crisis threatens humans because it
could potentially cause economic problems in Europe.
C. With an average of nearly 180 people per square mile,
Europe is the second most crowded continent, after Asia.
D. The European Union has warned that hundreds of the
continent's native plants and animals are threatened with
extinction.
5. Based on the article, the reader can predict that
__________.
A. Now that the European Union has set targets, other
continents will copy them.
B. Once the environmental problems in Europe are gone,
the economy will be much stronger around the world.
C. Unless the European Union obtains more funding, the
2020 targets will not be met.
D. Europe will ask most people to leave the continent so
that more space can be dedicated to preserving wildlife.
6. Which of these is most important to include in a
summary of this article?
A. The continuing loss of birds can allow insects to
Which would be the closest synonym for the word
acknowledged?
A. Admitted
multiply more quickly, which can harm crops that
B. Subscribed
humans need.
C. Denied
B. Living things that share an environment need one
another to meet their needs for food and shelter.
C. Decreased forest lands can lead to an increase in
mud slides and flooding.
D. Presumed
8. The news article says all of the following except
__________.
A. Even without money, Europe's environmental
D. Officials in Europe say that up to a quarter of the
continent's native plant and animal species is
problems will be solved by 2020.
B. The Iberian lynx and the Bavarian pine vole both
endangered.
7. The article states:
face extinction.
C. The European Union's biodiversity targets for 2010
were not met.
Hennon acknowledged that funding so far is insufficient
to meet the EU's goals. A report explaining the EU's new
D. Many factors have caused a threat to biodiversity on
proposals said the EU is determining the funding needs
the continent of Europe.
for meeting the 2020 goals
Opinion Question: In the space below explain your opinion; do you believe it's important for leaders to come
up with enough funding to save species from extinction? (5 points)
Thought Question: In the space below write what you think about the plan to save plant and animal species in
Europe? How important do you think it is to preserve the planet's biodiversity? (5 points)