Biodiversity Conservation - Research Paper Example

?Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity refers to the variety and assortment of various life forms in the environment. This includes the variety of plants and animals in various ecosystems including marine ecosystems, forest ecosystems as well as grasslands. Biodiversity is very critical to the development of the human species due to food provision, ecological balance and other developmental benefits. However, there are continued threats posed on biodiversity leading to extinction of species. Due to this, scientists have emerged with various strategies to conserve biodiversity and reduce species extinction. This paper will analyze the major causes of biodiversity loss as well as the strategies for conservation based on current scientific and anthropogenic knowledge. Introduction Most scientists argue that the present immense deprivation of environment and extinction of many of the Earth’s species is unparalleled and is occurring on a terribly short timescale. They argue that loss of biological diversity is occurring at very high rate due to the many ecological disturbances affecting ecosystems functioning. Currently, there is a widespread massive degradation of rainforest ecosystem, which is posing a substantial threat to biodiversity. In addition, there is rampant destruction and degradation of the marine ecosystem leading to extinction of the variety of marine species, which were once dominant and vital to such ecosystems. Scientists feel that if the present global extinction of species continues at the current rates, then it will drastically alter the species evolution in the future. It is due to this evidence of the massive biodiversity loss that scientists have embarked on a serious mission of conservation of the biodiversity1. In a global scale, there is increased action of conservation of biodiversity due to an increasing reality and evidence of species extinction. There are numerous global, national and local organizations trying to formulate policies and strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. These organizations are both governmental and non-governmental. In audition, many scientists are currently undertaking extensive research in order to come up with winning measures for curbing species extinction2. Causes of biodiversity loss There are several causes of loss of biodiversity ranging from anthropogenic factors, genetic factors, to environmental factors. Anthropogenic factors are purely human-induced causes of biodiversity loss. These include overexploitation of the natural resources, industrial actions causing pollution, which poses a threat to the health of species as well as overharvesting of fish. On the other hand, environmental factors include climate change, habitat and ecosystem disturbance and invasion of alien species. Recently, there is increased evidence that emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are causing species extinction. There is a lot of concern among scientists regarding the multiplicity of EIDs afflicting wildlife, and the fear that an augmented occurrence of outbreaks will take place in the future. In fact, infectious diseases can mediate community dynamics of species, minimize host variety and extirpate local populations3. Amphibians comprise 30% of gravely endangered species and over 75% of the gravely endangered species vulnerable to infectious disease. The infectious fungus chytridiomycosis is a causative factor for over 40% of these. Even though chytridiomycosis is the most noteworthy threat to gravely endangered amphibians, it only occurs as an assumed or possible future threat for the majority of these4. Destruction of habitat and habitat fragmentation are some of the most central causes of loss of biodiversity. Habitat fragmentation influences several aspects of species that may pose a threat to species hence increasing chances of their extinction. These aspects include rates of gene flow, migration and spreading of species and invasion by alien competitors. In the interim, because of fragmentation, species become more inbred and might have lesser capability and productivity because of inbreeding depression. In the long term, complex harmful mutations may cause a low level of association between populations leading to unfavorable genetic effects5. According to a study by international union for conservation of nature (IUCN), 65 percent of the natural habitats in south of the Sahara have been subject to major ecological degradation. In addition, the study found that there was 67 per cent of natural habitat loss in South East Asia. The Species Survival Commission of the IUCN has anticipated that this is a crucial cause in the imminent extinction of two out of five of the threatened vertebrate species6. Scientific evidence also proves that genetic processes can cause species extinction and the consequent biodiversity loss. Genetic processes can bring about alterations in the number or occurrence of alleles in species populations and in levels of diversity. These variables are significant to plant species. Hypothetically, decreased gene diversity can bring about reduced population growth because of inbreeding depression. Conversely, allele richness might lead to population growth due to its effect on evolutionary probability, or the capability of a species to react to changes in its selective setting. This explicates the profuse existing scientific literature directed at the study of the genetic diversity in relation to endangered plant species7. The industrial activities also play a crucial role in the destruction of natural systems and the extinction of species. Most of the industrial activities release various toxic substances in to the atmosphere, which might harm most vulnerable plant and animal species. In addition, increased and uncontrolled industrial activities increase the volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere thereby causing global warming. Global warming highly causes species extinction due to increased desertification and loss of food and water to most animal species. Climatic change already emerges to be occurring at a speedy rate than ever before and this might have radical effects for most ecosystems. In addition, current knowledge reveals that many species are very sensitive to variations in the carbon dioxide volume in the atmosphere8. Another major cause of loss of species is invasion of alien species. Introduction of exotic species in some habitats threatens the already existing species of that ecosystem. For instance, alien fish species introduced in the large African lakes threaten to eradicate a large part of the diverse fish species. In addition, the introduction of alien mammals has caused half of the exterminations of islands bird species. In this regard, goats and other introduced herbivores have devastated entire island environments. Furthermore, scientists regard exotic plant species as the main threat to the US National Parks system9. Some of the more spectacular examples, for instance the introduction of the Nile Perch into Lake Victoria and the consequential decimation of no less than 200 prevalent cichlids, reveal the disastrous effects of invasion by alien species. In spite of of their scale, human-induced introductions of species in new environments have and will constantly be one of the main causes of biotic change10. Conservation Measurers Several methods can significantly help in the conservation of biodiversity and especially the endangered species. These strategies are both scientific and anthropogenic. One such scientific measure that biologists have used and are still using is ex situ, conservation method. This method entails gathering selected or representative samples of the genetic diversity of each group of organisms and placing them outside the natural ecological conditions in which the species have developed. The storage of germplasm of threatened plants occurs in botanic gardens and devoted germplasm services. Presently, one of the most suitable and extensive methods of ex situ conservation is the storage of seeds. This is because the method involved is very simple and it recues the cost of infrastructure, technology, labor and operating costs11. In the case of the threat caused by introduction of alien species, the best strategy of mitigating their effects is by conserving the habitat that they threaten. Experiments instituted on irregular species patterns, gene flow, and vagility of major community species designate a main concern for preserving processes that keep the equilibrium within the community. Moreover, these approaches merge with land use patterns and preservation policy. Another technique of lessening the invasive effects and supporting the prevalent components is the reinstallation of the historic interruption regime. Such a method may comprise the exclusion of dams that prevent recurrent flooding necessary for establishment or the reintroduction of fire in a society reliant on fire for seed germination12. In order to institute effective biodiversity conservation methods, it is vital to have precise information concerning the individual factors causing species extinction and endangerment. To achieve this, scientists should move toward a methodical evaluation of the relative impacts of the extensively proposed causal dangers. These include overharvesting, habitat degradation and fragmentation, pollution, infectious disease and invasive species. In addition, scientists should ground such evaluation in sound scientific support13. For instance, when developing strategies for conservation of populations of an endangered plant species, scientists should address various concerns. These include the state of declining of the population under evaluation, factors determining the feasibility of the population as well as the most vital life stage for the feasibility of the population. Another major concern that conservationists should address regards the possible effects on the population of certain human-mediated ecological changes on the ecosystem14. Nevertheless, it is evident that the solitary reliance on scientific measurers does not provide an overall solution in biodiversity conservation. In order to improve the current knowledge biodiversity and ecological relationships, it is vital to integrate scientific knowledge with the comprehensive roles of the human species15. Future research in conservation should aim at evidence-based conservation strategies. In spite of the predictable challenges in achieving a standard of evidence-based conservation strategy, the strategy is very vital in saving the endangered species. The efficiency in biodiversity conservation can get better by working to that standard, both with the facts presently available and by establishing a structure to augment the quality of facts available16. Conclusion Conservation of biological diversity is very critical due to the significance of the variety of life forms in the environment. In order to curb the loss of biodiversity it is vital to understand the various causes of biodiversity loss. The strategies for conservation should integrate scientific methods with the human-mediated strategies. This is because the causes of the loss of biodiversity are both human-induced and scientific. References Heywooda, Vernon. & Iriondo, Jose., “Plant conservation: Old problems, new perspectives,” Biological Conservation Vol. 113 (2003): 321–335. Novacek, Michael. & Cleland, Elsa., “The current biodiversity extinction event: Scenarios for mitigation and recovery,” PNAS Vol. 98 No. 10 (May 2001): 5466-5470. Pullin, Andrew. et al., “Do conservation managers use scientific evidence to support their decision-making?” Biological Conservation Vol. 119 (2004): 245-252. Shiva, Vandana. Biodiversity: Social & ecological perspectives. London: Zed Books, 1991. Smith, Katherine. et al., “Evidence for the Role of Infectious Disease in Species Extinction and Endangerment,” Conservation Biology Vol. 20 No. 5 (March 2006): 1349-1357. Read More