Report warns of extinctions By Curt Andersen News-Chronicle The Endangered Species Act, passed thirty years ago, set out to protect various species of plants, animals, insects, birds, and fish from becoming extinct. According to a study by Rutgers University, the destruction of every 120 square miles of tropical forest or 60,000 square miles of rangeland causes a loss of hundreds of species. A new report by BirdLife International says that 1200 bird species, or about 12% of the world’s birds, have a real risk of becoming extinct in the next 100 years According to the report, the current rate of extinction is 10,000 times faster than what would occur naturally. Those animals that survive the destruction of habitat will be those able to adapt, such as rats. The loss of species could eliminate key predators that keep vermin populations checked. Imagine the number of mosquitoes, ticks, and crop pests that will thrive because of the loss of those species. About 36% of extinction is based on habitat destruction, such as logging, which, when done improperly, endangers many species of birds, animals, and fish, and has hurt other industries, like tourism. Development of land and the resulting loss of forest cover or prairie grasses is also a contributing factor. Those carpet-green lawns, soaked in pesticides, can be fatal to birds that eat bugs or weed seeds, but can also run into streams to affect fish and into our own drinking water. It is a particularly human trait to pee in one’s own soup, as in the case of paper mill PCBs in our drinking water. It is ironic to see someone who applies pesticide to his lawn also feeding birds and allowing his grandchildren to run around barefooted. The pesticide does not know grandchildren are not bugs. The Endangered Species Act has been most visible when it was used as the last arrow in the quiver. There are numerous examples of dams that were built using specious studies and questionable estimates for construction … estimates later proven to be pure fantasy. The only thing left that might stop an ill-conceived dam was the Endangered Species Act, no matter how ludicrous it sounded when a tiny fish called the “snail darter” was named as the species in question. Rational economic arguments bounced off money-hungry profiteers like bullets off Superman. Dam builders who had speculated on huge contracts were left high and dry. Grandiose plans for lakeside property sales evaporated, and gave developers reason to grind their teeth. We can thank the Endangered Species Act for the current 5,748 nesting pairs of bald eagles back from the brink. As one looks around these days, one sees American eagles on car windows, bumper stickers, flags, lawn signs, buttons, and you name it. In spite of that so-called patriotic fervor, the people who worship the eagles on bumper stickers are supporting candidates who would do in the eagles to support their donors in the chemical and manufacturing industries. Extinctions mean we will lose sources of pest control and sources of food for other creatures, and eventually, ourselves. As former Apollo astronaut, John Young said, “If you want to see an endangered species, get up and look in the mirror.” For more information, read "The Endangered Species Act", by local writer and biologist, Brian Czech, and Paul R. Krausman.