Page 35 - 443

Protection of the Earth

To conserve means to ‘protect’ or ‘take care of’. In
ecology, conservation means to protect the earth’s plants, animals,
habitants, and natural resources. But from what does the earth need
to be protected?
The number of people in certain places on the earth is
growing faster than local supplies of food and water. This creates a
problem called overpopulation. If a place is overpopulated, there
are not enough resources for people to survive. These same
resources are also needed by other animals and plants. Many
animals have become extinct, or died out completely. Others are
threatened with extinction, or are endangered.
In 1973, the United States government passed the
Endangered Species Act. The law is meant to protect endangered
animals and help them survive. The act has saved many species,
including the national symbol, the bald eagle.

Comprehension Questions

I. Say which of the following statements are false and
which are true. Correct the false statements to make them
true.

1. Overpopulation is not a problem.
2. In an overpopulated place there are enough resources
for people to survive.
3. Many animals have become extinct.
4. In 1793 the US government passed the Endangered
Species Act.
5. The law is meant to protect endangered animal.

33