Florida's Ancient Islands Home Ancient Islands Shifting Sands Why Save Species? Working Together: Human Activity What Shapes the Ridge? From Scrub to Creek: The Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group How You Can Help Protect the Ridge Whom to Call PeopleProfile Acknowledgements
Why Save Species?

THE DOMINO EFFECT

Some species appear to be "keystones in the arch" supporting entire ecosystems, like the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) . The gopher tortoise's burrow and mound can provide shelter for more than 360 species of wild creatures. If the gopher tortoisedisappears, then the web of life begins to unravel. Does it make sense to lose now something that may one day prove vitally important? After all, extinction is forever.

Gopher Tortoise
Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows shelter more than 360 species of wild creatures.
Why Save Species Why Save Species?-Page 1 Why Save Species?-Page 2 Why Save Species?-Page 3

FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

A Native American saying advises us to consider the impact of decisions for seven generations. It is true that we will never recapture the Florida that 18th century explorer William Bartram saw. However, ensuring that future generations inherit a diverse and healthy land is a legacy worth striving for.

THE ETHICAL FACTOR

Many also believe that as responsible stewards of the land, it is our duty to save species that took hundreds, thousands or millions of years to evolve.