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Dense populations usually works against biodiversity so if we’re reading TreasureNature, chances are we live far from areas with highly diverse animal and plant life, except for those in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, if we are fortunate enough to be living in one of the Biodiversity Hotspots, then the greatest single thing we can do to protect biodiversity is prevent habitat loss.
Animals in the wild need a home and sources of food. Once we deny them these resources by destroying forests, reefs, and other ecosystems, they will die. How much area do they really need? It depends on the size of the animal.
Consider the Critically Endangered and majestic Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), of which there are an estimated number of less than 400 pairs in the wild and only a dozen or so in captivity. A breeding pair usually needs 38 square miles (approxiamately 100 square kilometers) of hunting ground–for comparison, Manhattan has 22.7 square miles. That is assuming that the said area is well-stocked with monkeys, rodents, lemurs, civets, and snakes.
Man is competing with the eagle for the available resources by cutting down trees for timber and clearing forests for farming. These activities reduces the eagles’ hunting range which serves as home for their food too. As men encroaches on the eagles’ home ground, the risk of hunters trying to bag one as a trophy also increases.
The Philippine Eagle is not alone, if we check all species on the Critically Endangered list, they all face the same problems: habitat loss, dwindling food supply, and poaching.
If we live far away from Biodiversity Hotspots, are we powerless to get involved in biodiversity issues? On the contrary, we can do a lot to help. See, most biodiversity-related issues has their roots in densely-populated urban environments.
Here are a few measures to protect biodiversity we can do right where we are:
1. Be aware of where the stuff that we buy comes from and don’t buy anything that contributes to habitat loss.
Reaching for a can of corned beef at your local mart? Check where did the beef came from. If it says Brazil, then think about the Amazon rainforest. For the record, Brazil provides only a minuscule amount of the FRESH beef available in the US market. It’s main market is Europe.
Brazilian ranchers tore down the Amazon to raise beef. A few enlightened individuals have cropped up with eco-friendly ideas but they are only a drop in the bucket. Some people contends that cutting down the Amazon for cattle can be compensated for by planting a forest elsewhere. Sadly, this is impossible to do so because we’re not talking here only about trees but of the biodiversity contained in a patch of the Amazon. Biodiversity lost cannot be regained, except on paper.
2. Don’t buy or keep exotic pets.
That colorful Macaw might come from a long line of birds breed in captivity but it still sends the signal that it is okay to keep them. Trapping for the underground exotic pet industry is a major factor why colorful species regularly turn up in the Critically Endangered list.
3. Keep the CREED of REAL mountaineers.
If we head off to the great outdoors for some fun and communing with nature, keep these words close to our hearts:
- Take nothing but pictures
- Leave nothing but footprints
- Kill nothing but time
4. Spread the word.
Do what TreasureNature tries to do, tell other people about it.
5. Support agencies and other entities that works for biodiversity.
There are dozens of them out there. If we want to get our hands dirty, then why not volunteer in Yachana’s Protected Forest in the Amazon?
More ideas on how we can help protect and preserve biodiversity?
13 comments ↓
i don’t eat meat, does that help?
do you have posts regarding reusing materials? i think it is way much better than recycling.
payasos last blog post..when the heat is on
Biodiversity is a huge topic, very critical to our planet. I think it can get overlooked when we’re dealing with the bigger issues of world hunger, world health, and the energy crisis. But actually, I think biodiversity is related to these in some sense. Throwing off the food chain could cause dramatic changes in how the planet’s eco-system works.
Great post, your ideas are awesome and inspiring!
kims last blog post..Next Layer………..
I like the creed of the mountaineers that you posted here:
“Take nothing but pictures
Leave nothing but footprints
Kill nothing but time .”
Let me add one line, “but bring all good memories home.”
Your campaign is noble and I support you. The occurring imbalance in our eco system is now annihilating rare species. We should nurture mother earth, because if we don’t, she comes back with a vengeance and our puny human effort is not a match to her powerful natural power.
We should remember GIGO, garbage in garbage out, just like in a computer.
Thanks for sharing and keep posting.
Jena Isles last blog post..CHAPTER 10 - UMMA AYAM SINSANA (WHERE ARE YOU NOW?)
The tips you mentioned are good. But they are not surely easy to follow. How about a next post with ideas on how to acheieve the above? Nice Blog, I clicked here n there, if you know what i mean
Friendship Tipss last blog post..Ten most powerful yet romantic novels of all times
The bit about parrots/exotic pets in general hits a soft spot with me. These creatures should not be removed from their natural environment, and should absolutely not be considered pets. Their long lives alone make them unsuitable. We also understand so little about their diet — the nutrients they rely on, the combinations of native food that they require to thrive.
It’s been said that caging a bird is like caging a soul…I wish more people would consider that before they get caught up in the beauty and sweetness of parrots, and acquire one without doing their research.
Grumpuss last blog post..Then What the Hell Am I Going to Do?
Hiya people!
@ Payaso
Good for you. I don’t eat much beef myself, maybe 2 pounds the past 6 months. I’m planning to write a series on recycling and reusing. I usually cover topics in series because all the info would be too much for one article.
I do have a little post about the 5 Rs here… http://www.treasurenature.com/.....vironment/
@ Greener Pastures
True, when we don’t mind biodiversity, that’s when most of our problems occur. Even this talk about one race being superior to another, well, they don’t really understand what they are talking about.
Even in food crops and domestic animals, it’s best to cross different varieties to produce hybrid vigor. BTW, you might be interested in the book “No Blade of Grass.” I haven’t read it but I’m on the look out for a copy.
@ Kim
Thanks for the encouragement. But they aren’t mine.
I learned them from better folks.
@ Jenna Isle
Nice to hear from a kababayan.
You must be aware of the plight of our forests and the environment in general. Just last week, a monkey-eating eagle was killed in Mindanao. It’s disheartening that a lot of people are trying to protect this Critically Endangered species then a few wayward souls undoes all that effort.
But its amazing that, despite various natural catastrophes, people still doesn’t believe that nature is getting back at us for neglecting her. They don’t believe that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, eh?
@ Friendship tips
Thanks for the idea. Regarding the tips, they were broad because all of us are unique but we can still do little things that can help.
It’s true that it’s difficult to do things for nature because that will often necessitate a major lifestyle change. I’m not an environmentalist, fact I’m wary of anybody who says they are. We don’t believe in forcing people to see things our way as that will only make it harder to reach them and nature will suffer in the end.
We do believe that each one of us is capable of making little sacrifices, like swapping a bean burrito for that burger twice a week.
For specifics, here are a few products that MIGHT be contributing to habitat loss:
1. Beef (Amazon)
2. Biofuels–Ethanol/oil (Amazon, Africa)
2. Paper/Toilet Paper (North America, Asia)
3. Disposable wood products (chopsticks, etc.–Asia)
4. Hardwood (Indonesia and Africa)
5. Banana (South America, Asia)
Thanks for the here and there clicks too.
It does cost to maintain an online presence and making nature a career doesn’t pay a lot.
@ Grumpus
Would it bother you if I say that I used to hunt birds when I was a kid? My grand pop who taught me how to shoot, however, also told me that I have to eat whatever I killed. Quite ironic that I learned from a hunter the value of life. Or maybe the old folks are just wiser.
But those hunting trips instilled in me a love for nature. Never kept a pet bird, I like it better when I see them nesting and flying. Even planted 2 trees near our house so the birds can live right next to us.
I kind of miss the hummingbirds though. When I was a kid, we had flowering shrubs near our porch and we would often sit and watch while they hover from flower to flower. Now, they’re all gone after the city engulfed the suburbs.
There is a big difference now and before. Even we couldn’t feel the difference, but now, everywhere there are many species who are disappearing.
Hi!
The sad part is we can’t bring back those that were already gone.
TN, You are very right and I am also very sad about that.
Payaso, We shall have to do much more than that. At the moment we are doing nothing and all of our next generations will ruin.
Biodiversity is the natural variety found in living systems and individuals, and is essential to the function of ecosystems and to the continuation of life on earth. The current human-driven extinction of vast numbers of species is one of the most pressing issues facing humankind. Yet people can be good stewards of the land and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
We are so much ignorant in biodiversity and even don’t like to think about that. I think the time has gone and is still going out of our hands rapidly. There was time when people like stuffed lions and deers, perhaps we still have such people but this is a time to think about it seriously. I like the way you have told that how we (who don’t live near or at biodiversity hotspots) can save wild life.
Hello…
Sorry for being away for more than a week. Duty called.
@ Steve
Thanks, I sure hope we are.
@ Cats
How true, we are actually stewards of nature and all her species. The responsibility of stewards is to care for them and make sure future generations will enjoy the same benefits we do today.
@ Harry
Maybe we should just shoot the animals with cameras. The pictures or movie are more portable.
And it’s true, we who live far away from biodiversity areas have a great impact on them as it is our wants that drives the economy that utilizes the natural resources found on those habitats.
Thank you all!
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