The New Childrens Encyclopedia

SLEEP AND DREAMS

81

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

UNDER THREAT: PROTECTING SEEDS

O

More than one-third of all flowering plants are

vulnerable to extinction. Many of these species

could be valuable to humans, but are being

wiped out before their uses can be discovered.

Scientists are now going around the world

looking for plants and taking their seeds for

storage in seed banks. This way, they can grow

new plants if their original habitat is destroyed.

CONSERVATION

Wild areas are important, but many are

being destroyed or raided for their

resources. Organizations around the world

are trying to protect wildlife and habitats

by building sanctuaries for endangered

species, such as the orangutan, and

preserving key areas, including wetlands

and forests.

TAKE A LOOK

Tourists bring wealth to an area. When

wildlife itself is a tourist attraction, local

businesses are likely to look after the habitat.

Ecotourism Traveling to a

new place is fun, but tourism

has an impact on the people,

animals, and plants that live

there. Ecotourism helps

protect the future of national

parks and other protected

areas by encouraging

operators to plan resorts

in a way that looks

after the local

wildlife and

environment.

Reforestation Many of

the world’s original forests

have been cut down.

Forests are a vital

ecosystem, so in some

areas new woodlands are

being developed using

native trees. If managed

sustainably, they will

provide an income for

local people and a safe

home for wildlife.

AND ECOLOGYENVIRONMENT

Earth is getting warmer. Scientists have

been measuring the temperature and have

noticed that the global average is slowly

increasing. This coincides with the increase

of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over

the last 200 years. It is set to keep climbing.