International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 218-224 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 218 Review Article Open Access Proximate and Ultimate Causes of Species Endangerment and Population Decline Jing He, Jun Li Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jun.li@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0023 Received: 07 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 13 Sep., 2024 Published: 27 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 He and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: He J., and Li J., 2024, Proximate and ultimate causes of species endangerment and population decline, International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 14(5): 218-224 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0023) Abstract This study comprehensively analyzed the near and end causes that affect species endangerment, and explored the correlation mechanism between the two. Research has shown that habitat loss and fragmentation, overfishing, pollution, invasive alien species, and climate change are the main immediate causes of species endangerment, while human pressure, loss of genetic diversity, evolutionary constraints, disruption of reproductive strategies, and ecosystem changes constitute the ultimate causes of population decline. The synergistic effect of multiple threats, the impact of ecological thresholds, and the long-term evolutionary effects of rapid environmental changes also exacerbate the risk of species extinction. Through case studies on the decline of large carnivores in fragmented habitats, this study further analyzed the comprehensive impact of different threat factors and explored a series of conservation strategies, aiming to provide theoretical support for the development of more scientific and efficient biodiversity conservation measures, as well as guidance for policy makers and ecologists. Keywords Endangered species; Population decline; Ecological protection; Genetic diversity; Climate change 1 Introduction Species endangerment and population decline are pressing global issues that threaten biodiversity and ecosystem stability. The primary drivers of these phenomena include habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation, which are often exacerbated by human activities (Selwood et al., 2015). Habitat destruction remains the most significant ultimate cause of extinction, as it directly impacts the availability of resources and suitable living conditions for species (Hernández et al., 2013). Additionally, climate change poses a significant threat by altering habitats and affecting species' physiological tolerances and interactions (Cahill et al., 2013). The decline of species such as amphibians and tropical insectivorous birds highlights the complex interplay of proximate and ultimate factors, including environmental pollutants and evolutionary vulnerabilities (Hayes et al., 2010; Sherry, 2021). Understanding these causes is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies and mitigating the ongoing loss of biodiversity. A comprehensive theoretical framework is essential to unravel the complex mechanisms driving species endangerment and population decline. Current research indicates that both proximate causes, such as demographic changes and species interactions, and ultimate causes, like habitat fragmentation and climate change, play critical roles in these processes (Selwood et al., 2015). However, the interactions between these factors are not fully understood, necessitating a more integrated approach to study them. For instance, while habitat loss is a well-documented ultimate cause, the proximate causes leading to the final extinction of species, such as stochastic events or reduced genetic diversity, require further investigation. Developing a robust framework will enable researchers to predict extinction risks more accurately and design targeted conservation interventions. This study attempts to identify common patterns and research gaps in current knowledge by analyzing a wide range of research literature, in order to gain a clearer understanding of the near and end causes of species endangerment and population decline. The study will emphasize the importance of ecological and genetic factors in the risk of extinction, and emphasize the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to simultaneously
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