10 Natural Wonders To See Before They Disappear

One of the most diverse reef ecosystems in the world, this 700-mile long reef is home to whale sharks, rays and manatees. Since its bleaching in 1998, this reef has continued to decline due to factors like global warming of the world seas, agricultural pollution, increase in coastal tourism giving rise to development which invade this reef.

This tropical rainforest produces 40% of the world's oxygen and is the world's second-largest rainforest; it is a source of food and minerals. It is estimated that by 2040, two-thirds of the forest and its unique plants could be lost unless measures are put in place to protect it. Ten acres of this forest is degraded each year through mining, ranching, illegal logging and guerrilla warfare. Bush meat hunters also prey on endangered animals like bonbons, forest elephants and mountain gorillas.

Considered to be the lowest point on earth - 1312 feet below sea level, it is also 10 times saline than sea water and believed to contain therapeutic minerals. The threat is that it has sunk 80 feet and shrunk by 1/3rd. Many countries tap water from Jordan River and only little reach the Dead Sea, another menace is cosmetic companies which drain the Dead Sea for minerals.

This 2.5 million acre wetland is the only place where crocodiles and alligators share a territory; threats to this wetland include pollution from farms, urban encroachment and invasive species. Everglades is now half the size it was in 1900, the worst thing is that when this wetland disappears in the next 40 years, the remaining 100 Florida Panther will vanish too.

80% of flora and fauna found in Madagascar are found nowhere else on earth, this fourth largest island will disappear in 35 years if nothing is done. Initially 120,000 square miles, they are down to 20,000 square miles, forest ecosystem are being destroyed by logging and subsistence farming. Even the 20 species of lemur will go with them.

This world's lowest nation is rich in coral reefs and endangered fish species like leopard sharks and manta rays. If ice caps continue to melt due to global warming, the sea levels will rise. It has 1,190 small islands standing just 8 feet above sea level.

Consists of towering icebergs, aurora borealis and majestic animals, it has been predicted that 80% of the emperor penguin population of Antarctica will disappear and the remaining are in danger of extinction that is if global warming continues. Studies show that if global warming continues no ice will form in Antarctica after 20-40 years.

It is one of the best places to see tigers, the population of tigers has now fallen to 3,200, these tigers were 100,000 in 1900 and they are now 3,200, this big cat can possibly extinct in some years, their habitats have also been reduced by 93%. The threat is that these tigers are hunted for use in Chinese medicine.

This massive rainforest is home to parrots and macaws, this forest is also known to hold some of the last old-growth stands of mahogany. But the forest is getting depleted as a result of illegal logging, gold mines nearby which release mercury into the air and water.

It is too early to tell the impact of the recently constructed three gorges dam, but even the government of china admitted that this river basin is in danger of losing its marine and animal life. Pollution from shipping industry is another problem for this river basin.