Have you ever considered that the percentage of elephants killed is faster than the percentage of elephants being born? According to the wildlife conservation society, 96 African elephants are killed every day for ivory; at this rate, no elephants will be left in 20 years (Jones, 2015). This directly means 34,560 elephants get killed every year. Imagine to what extent that they are being killed every year! Ivory trade was started during the seventh and eighth centuries, when Muslim Arabs secured a trade monopoly in Maghreb, in the north African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, between the Atlas mountain and the Mediterranean with peoples of the Sahara; as it was used for luxury goods by Carving, it was considered as a commodity from the early times (Seaver, 2009). This situation created the illegal ivory trade in the world. At the same time, poachers started to hunt elephants, so as to sell their ivory on the black market for an exorbitant price. Consequently, the elephant species started to become extinct. Hence, people should not buy ivory products as it Causes the extinction of elephant species, the devastating decline of plant species, and negative impact on herbivorous animals.
The first reason why people should not buy Ivory products is because it causes to the rapid trending down in the population of elephant species, which finally leads to extinction of the species. People should consider that, buying Ivory products would literary mean encouraging poachers to continue their brutal act on elephant species. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, 96 elephants are killed by poachers every day to meet the demands of ivory trade (Jones, 2015). For instance, In1976, The African Elephant Specialist Group estimates that there were 1.3 million elephants ranging over 7.3 square kilometer; then after 11 years the elephant population decreased to 760,000; the preceding 2 years also dropped to 608,000 (Stiles, 2004, p. 312). Imagine what is going to happen if the number is continuously decreasing like this! We are killing them just for their ivory.
Table of Contents
1. Ivory Trade and Its Negative Impacts
1.1 Introduction and historical context of ivory trade
1.2 Impact on elephant population decline
1.3 Environmental consequences: Biodiversity and forest health
1.4 Impact on plant species dispersal
1.5 Effects on herbivorous animals and ecosystem balance
1.6 Conclusion and call to action
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the detrimental consequences of the global ivory trade, specifically focusing on how the poaching of elephants disrupts critical ecological processes. The paper explores the link between consumer demand for ivory and the resulting threats to biodiversity, plant regeneration, and the survival of other herbivorous species.
- Historical evolution of the ivory trade and its transition into an illegal market.
- Statistical analysis of elephant population decline and the risk of extinction.
- The ecological role of elephants as essential seed dispersal agents for flora.
- The indirect negative impact of elephant loss on herbivorous animal populations.
- The imperative to halt the ivory trade to preserve global ecosystem stability.
Excerpt from the Book
Ivory Trade and Its Negative Impacts
Have you ever considered that the percentage of elephants killed is faster than the percentage of elephants being born? According to the wildlife conservation society, 96 African elephants are killed every day for ivory; at this rate, no elephants will be left in 20 years (Jones, 2015). This directly means 34,560 elephants get killed every year. Imagine to what extent that they are being killed every year! Ivory trade was started during the seventh and eighth centuries, when Muslim Arabs secured a trade monopoly in Maghreb, in the north African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, between the Atlas mountain and the Mediterranean with peoples of the Sahara; as it was used for luxury goods by Carving, it was considered as a commodity from the early times (Seaver, 2009). This situation created the illegal ivory trade in the world. At the same time, poachers started to hunt elephants, so as to sell their ivory on the black market for an exorbitant price. Consequently, the elephant species started to become extinct. Hence, people should not buy ivory products as it Causes the extinction of elephant species, the devastating decline of plant species, and negative impact on herbivorous animals.
Summary of Chapters
1. Ivory Trade and Its Negative Impacts: This chapter introduces the historical origins of the ivory trade, highlighting the severe statistical decline in elephant populations due to illegal poaching and the resulting environmental crisis.
Keywords
Ivory trade, poaching, elephant extinction, biodiversity, seed dispersal, ecological impact, herbivorous animals, conservation, habitat modification, wildlife protection, environment, ecosystem, illicit market, sustainability, nature preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work examines the devastating effects of the global ivory trade on elephant populations and the broader environmental consequences triggered by their disappearance.
Which areas are primarily covered?
It covers the history of the trade, the statistical reality of poaching, the role of elephants in seed dispersal, and their importance for habitat modification for other herbivores.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to demonstrate why consumer demand for ivory must cease by highlighting the cascading negative impacts on global ecosystems and biodiversity.
What methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literature review and synthesis of data from wildlife conservation organizations and scientific journals to argue against the ivory trade.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The body discusses the decline of elephant numbers, the loss of plant species due to inhibited seed dispersal, and the indirect harm caused to other herbivores that rely on elephant-modified habitats.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include ivory trade, poaching, elephant extinction, biodiversity, seed dispersal, ecosystem, and habitat modification.
Why are elephants considered vital to forest health?
Elephants act as "megagardeners" by dispersing vast amounts of seeds; their removal leads to a decline in plant species and disrupts the natural cycle of forest regeneration.
How does the ivory trade affect animals other than elephants?
The trade harms herbivores like gazelles and zebras, as they rely on the habitat modifications (such as browsing lawns and clearings) created by elephants for their own food and survival.
- Citar trabajo
- Bereket Yemane (Autor), 2016, Ivory Trade and Its Negative Impacts. Say No To Ivory, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/380900
