The Importance of Biodiversity Conservation, the Role of Zoos

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1 4 The Importance of Biodiversity Conservation, the Role of Zoos Lisa Banfield and Hessa al Qahtani, Conservation Department, Al Ain Zoo, Abu Dhabi We shall continue to work to protect our environment and our wildlife, as did our forefathers before us. It is a duty, and if we fail, our children, rightly, will reproach us for squandering an essential part of their inheritance, and of our heritage. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Envirocities emagazine

2 5 Issue 6, Sep 2013 What is Biodiversity and Why is it Important? Biodiversity, or biological diversity, can be defined simply as the variety of life on Earth. It includes everything that you find in nature from the species and genetic level to how species interact with each other to create ecosystems. We still have a lot to learn about biodiversity and the natural world. Estimates of the number of species on Earth vary from 3.5 million to million, with only 1.2 million discovered so far. At the current rate of new species discoveries it could take more than 1000 years of research before we discover everything! Meanwhile the human population is increasing across the world at staggering rates. More than 7 billion people now occupy our planet compared to 2.5 billion in the 1950s. This population growth is putting unprecedented pressure on the Earth s natural resources such as water and soil. Species are being over-hunted for food, traditional medicine, ornaments, skins and even sport. At the same time natural habitats are being destroyed, fragmented, polluted and permanently altered due to climate change. The consequences of peoples exploitation of the natural world can be seen in the fate of other species. The number of species which have become extinct can be directly correlated with human population growth. There is now such a high number of other species at threat of extinction that many scientists believe that our planet is facing an Extinction Crisis. Examples of biodiversity. Lisa Banfield, Al Ain Zoo The latest review of the IUCN Red List (1) states that 70% of plants, 28% of reptiles and 21% of mammals are at risk of extinction. You may know some of the famous examples the Arabian leopard, the Bengal tiger, the Orang-utan. But what of the forest coconut tree of Madagascar, of which only 10 trees remain, or the Addax antelope, which could number as few as 300? And why should people care if any of these species become extinct or natural habitats are destroyed? A Magazine for the Environmental Center for Arab Towns

3 6 Percentage of species at risk of extinction by species group. Critically Endangered = an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Endangered and Vulnerable = a very high or high risk of extinction in the very near or near future. Source: IUCN Red List. Why Should We Care? 1. Food People need to eat and all of our food comes from biodiversity meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, rice. In order to produce this food we need healthy soil and a sustainable supply of water as well as the food species themselves. 2. Medicine One of the greatest values of biodiversity to humans is the supply of medicines. Conditions treated with naturally-derived drugs include rheumatism, diabetes, cancer, HIV, stroke and heart attack. A large proportion of these medicines are derived from fungi, plants, bacteria and other organisms. The Madagascar periwinkle contains a natural substance that gives a 99% chance of recovery to children suffering from leukaemia. Digitalis from the foxglove is used to treat heart trouble, quinine used to prevent and treat malaria comes from the bark of a South American tree and morphine from the opium poppy provides pain relief. It has been cited that 25% of all prescription drugs are taken directly from plants and 50% based on naturally occurring compounds. As well as this, without access to modern-day health care, more than 60% of people Envirocities emagazine

4 7 Issue 6, Sep 2013 around the world still rely solely on plant medicine (2). What if these species had become extinct before we d discovered their medicinal value? 3. Ecosystem Services All species present in an ecosystem, or a group of species and their environment, will perform some kind of function that maintains the environment in its natural state. These roles are called ecosystem services and humankind benefits from many of them, for example: Fungi and micro-organisms break down animal waste and dead matter such as leaves and carcasses. Without these species, which we may not even be able to see, waste would build up and alter the health of the environment. Plants have a role in the cycling and purification of water, the prevention of soil erosion and landslides and the protection of coastal areas from flooding. Algae, non-flowering plants found in water and damp places, supply most of the oxygen that we breathe. Honey bees and other insects pollinate the flowers of many of our important food crops such as apples, pears and berries. A huge decline in the number of honey bees in recent years, possibly caused by the use of chemical pesticides, threatens future production of such crops in some areas. Rain forests help to regulate the climate. They store the carbon dioxide that people release into the atmosphere by burning the carbon-based fossil fuels - coal, gas and petrol. As rain forests are being destroyed the carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and contributes to unwanted climate change. All species usually have either a predator or prey relationship with other species in their environment. Removing one species from the equation can cause an imbalance in the natural system. For example, a study found that the overfishing of large sharks was found to lead to an increase in the number of rays and skates which the sharks usually eat. Because there were more rays and skates the population of scallops, an important food source for people, declined because they are also the food of rays and skates (3). 4. Ecotourism The last few decades have seen a sharp increase in holiday and leisure activities that rely directly on the presence of biodiversity and healthy environments. Examples include safaris, dolphin and whale watching, fishing, bird-watching, snorkelling and scuba diving. These ecotourism activities can generate large amounts of money for countries with high biodiversity (or biodiversity hotspots), which are mainly found in the developing world. It is not unknown for the ecotourism sector to generate the biggest percentage of income of such countries. The revenue that ecotourism generates can then be used to help conserve or protect the biodiversity but also to improve services, facilities and infrastructure for the indigenous population. 5. Industry Materials supplied by biodiversity has been exploited in many industries. Fibres, wood, energy, rubber, oils, dyes, fragrances, resins, poisons and cork are all derived from various plant species. Animal species can also provide silks, wool, fur, leather, lubricants and a mode of transport. These products of biodiversity can be used to generate income, trade for other goods, or simply to improve and advance the quality of life of people. 6. Cultural Value Some values of biodiversity may not have economical but purely therapeutic or inspirational. The vast majority of people will derive some pleasure out of nature or biodiversity, as shown by the popularity of falconry and gardening for example. Nature has inspired painters, poets, playwrights, authors and photographers, leading to the production of works which then give pleasure to countless others. 7. Intrinsic Value Whilst arguing the case for the conservation of biodiversity often focuses on the importance of that biodiversity for people, nature should not only be viewed for its benefits to humankind. Every species has a right to exist for its own sake. A Magazine for the Environmental Center for Arab Towns

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6 9 Issue 6, Sep 2013 Materials supplied by biodiversity. Clockwise from left: rope, wool, silk, wood. Source: Wikipedia. So, Why Should We Care? It s simple - people need biodiversity to survive. Unfortunately many of us now live in man-made environments far removed from the natural world. We have become separated from nature and think it is not important to us or that we don t need it. We are wrong. We are in fact as reliant on biodiversity now as before when we lived outdoors, hunted our own food, relied on plants for medicine and drank water from rivers or wells. As the top predator and exploiter of natural resources, we need to start respecting biodiversity and the natural world and honouring our responsibility to take care of it. References 1. The IUCN Red List Gaston, K.J. and Spicer, J.I Biodiversity: An Introduction. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. 2nd edition. 3. Navjot S. Sodhi, N.S., Brook, B.W. and Bradshaw, C.J.A Causes and Consequences of Species Extinctions. In: Levin, S.A (ed). The Princeton Guide to Ecology. Princeton University Press. A Magazine for the Environmental Center for Arab Towns