Evolution; people and the animal world

Almost everything people do affects nature: they keep pets and protect animals in zoos, but also cut forests and pollute water. A forest is home and food for many animals; when it is cut they lose their habitat and the soil washes away. The Aral Sea was once one of the biggest lakes in the world. Much of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya water was taken to irrigate cotton fields, so little reached the sea, and most of it dried up; the salty Aralkum desert appeared in its place. Wind lifts salt and dust, and fish and other creatures disappeared. Today saksovul is planted on the dry seabed. Another example: when rabbits were brought to Australia they multiplied and ate the plants; when foxes were brought against them, the foxes started hunting native animals. So bringing a new species to a new place without thought is dangerous. Birds and sea animals also swallow plastic waste and are poisoned.