Brady Terry
Professor Debra Reece
English
2010
November 14, 2014
Are
the Worlds Environments at Risk?
Biodiversity is the sum total of different species in a
geographical location. The interaction
between these species is crucial for an environment to thrive. Some say that due to un-natural causes the
number of different species around the world as well as the number of
individuals of certain species is declining.
As result of this decline, the interactions between species have also
declined, thus harming the environments around the world. Is there anything being done to stop this
decline and protect the remaining biodiversity?
If so, is it enough to make a difference? Many organizations have attempted to protect
and restore this precious commodity we all share. Research has shown that many instances where
attempts have been made have had very diverse outcomes. We can look at history to help us determine
the most effective ways to achieve the goal of preserving biodiversity for
years to come.
A study was conducted on the topic of biodiversity in
2006, and was written about by Tom Arrandale.
The study was conducted because beekeepers were noticing a significant
decline in the number of bees returning to a seemingly healthy hives. As the study went on, some of the culprits
found and deemed responsible for this rapid decline in bee numbers were;
pesticides, contaminated water, decreases in pollen and furthermore,
overcrowding due to the introduction of more aggressive bee species.
(Arrandale)
In an article written by Jennifer Weeks there was a great
deal to be said about these non-native, or ‘invasive’ species. An invasive species is any species that did
not originate in the area where it is now found. (Weeks) These species compete with native species for
food, shelter, and living space, along with many other factors. As with any competition, he who is strongest
will prevail. In the case of the honey
bees, it was another bee species that was overtaking the population of native
honey bees. (Arrandale) However, many
times the species aren’t quite as similar.
Many of the White Bark Pine trees that cover the mountains of the
Western United States are dying at an alarming rate. The cause of their death is not another tree
species; rather it is a small bark eating beetle. These small beetles feed on the bark of the
trees. They then use the trees as a host
where they lay their eggs. Doing this
ensures that the young beetles will have a safe place to grow and have plenty
to eat as they grow. When the young
beetles reach maturity they seek mates and new places to live. They do this by flying to another tree and
the cycle continues. These are two of the many examples of an invasive species
being a significant factor in the decline of biodiversity around the world.
From these examples we can see that invasive species can
be very destructive to an environment.
The Africanized bees that are overtaking the honey bees are constantly
being sought out so that they can be destroyed from their non-native home in
order to give place for the native bee species to once again take hold and
flourish. However, these bees are very
resilient and are very difficult to get rid of. At one point in time, the bark beetles that
are destroying the pine forests of the Western United States were controlled by
the use of a pesticide called DDT.
However, this pesticide has been deemed harmful to the environment and
the use of it has been discontinued. This
evidence proves that once an invasive species has been introduced into an area,
it can be very difficult to entirely remove it and return the environment to
its natural order.
Pesticides like DDT can be very destructive on an
environment if not controlled. There are
however, many implications for them which can help other species thrive. Fishing was a big part of my growing up years
and I still enjoy it very much. Fishing
is something that I do to relax and enjoy the outdoors. This used to be a very popular past time
around the state of Utah. However, during the past couple of decades it seems
that there has been a great decline in the number of people who take part in
this leisurely activity. One thing I
have noticed is that there are many mosquitos and other bugs around the lake,
more so than in the past. I find that
when these swarms of bugs come invade my fishing domain it is less enjoyable
and I usually don’t stay as long, even if the fishing is good. However, over the past several years the Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources has taken action to control the number of lake
bound bugs by spraying them at the time of their hatching. The result is a more enjoyable fishing
experience. The Utah DWR is now hoping
that more people will start fishing more as result of their spraying the
bugs. In an article published in October
of 2014 they talk about the problems that have arisen due to the lack of people
fishing as well as proposed changes to ensure that the fisheries will be
healthy for years to come. Lakes have a
carrying capacity, which means that there are only a certain number of
organisms that can live in that area.
Due to the lack of people fishing and keeping the fish that they catch
the fish are over-populating certain bodies of water and there numbers are
outgrowing their carrying capacities.
With increased fishing, these numbers can be reduced to a healthy level
once again. This will also ensure larger,
more desirable fish for the anglers to catch. (DWR) This use of pesticide is an example of one of
its benefits to an environment.
Wildlife and forests are not the only areas affected by
the loss of biodiversity. In the world
of agriculture there has also been a significant loss in biodiversity for
several reasons. Some of these reasons
are; as people we desire the better looking crops that yield the most abundant
harvest, some crops are easier to grow than others, and even the fact that
people in general have lost the knowledge of how to farm because of the
convenience of getting what is needed at the grocery store. For these and many other reasons we have
genetically engineered many plant species to our liking and in doing so we have
lost many of the previously existing plant species.
In another article written by Jennifer weeks titled, USDA
Seeks New Farmers, she addresses the issue of the lack of new and young people
with knowledge of how to farm. One thing
that she does address in her article is that there are many local farmers
sharing their produce locally through farmers markets.(Weeks) This is beneficial because it supports the
local economy and allows the farmers to grow crops desired by those in that
area. This in turn aids in the increase in biodiversity in those areas.
Another
article published by the Wildlife Conservation Society talks about a great
success story that came through conservation efforts. There is a rare species of deer found in the
mountainous regions of Afghanistan. The
deer populations were very low, and some thought the species had gone extinct. However, the society knew that the population
was small but still existent so they created a conservation project to protect
the remaining animals. As result of this
protection and by means of recent studies, there is still a small population
living in these mountains. Even though
it is small, it is healthy and consists of adult males and females as well as
young deer. (Sautner)
As an avid outdoorsman I have been able to participate in
many projects to improve wildlife habitat and aid in the comeback of habitats
after disasters such as fires. The Utah
Division of Wildlife Services allows citizens of the state of Utah to
participate in what is called the Dedicated Hunter Program. This program allows people to receive permits
to hunt deer in exchange for service hours or money. Every year hundreds of Utahan’s participate
in this program, providing hundreds of man hours of service as well as hundreds
of dollars towards the preservation and protection of the environments and
wildlife they all enjoy. In return the
hunters receive permits to hunt and manage the deer herds throughout the
state. There have been many great
outcomes from this program, and not all of them deal directly with the deer
herds alone. One project I was able to
participate in was to remove a fence that ran through a section of wetland in
central Utah. I, along with several
others, spent a full day removing this fence.
Subsequently, the watershed level was raised allowing more area for the
wetlands. Now as I drive past this area
I frequently see waterfowl and other wetland animals thriving in an area where
they once struggled. It makes me feel
great to know that I played a part in helping preserve and protect something I
love and can now share with family and friends.
Another act of preservation on a much larger scale is that taken by
waterfowl hunters. Every year hundreds
of thousands of people purchase state and federal waterfowl stamps. These stamps enable hunters to harvest
waterfowl and in turn, the proceeds from the purchases of these stamps go directly
to the preservation and creation of wetland habitat. As result of this act, the populations of
many species of waterfowl have been greatly aided. One very good example is that of the
Canadian goose. In the late 1960’s these
geese were put on the endangered species list.
However, with the aid of funds which were largely collected from the
selling of waterfowl stamps to hunters, their numbers now range in the
millions.
After looking at the issue surrounding the loss of
biodiversity and conservation efforts which are used to help maintain existing
biodiversity, and restore lost biodiversity where possible, I have noticed
several things. The first that I have
noticed is that there have been many things which have happened that directly
affected the biodiversity of many different environments. Thankfully, these things haven’t gone
completely un-noticed. Many groups are putting
forth a conscious effort toward the protection and conservation of many species
of plants and animals, thus attempting to ensure that we will be able to enjoy
the environments around us for many years to come. Sadly, many times these efforts are hindered
by other factors, making it difficult for one single effort dealing with
protection and preservation of biodiversity to have a significant effect. Sometimes it may even take years to decades before
preservation or conservation projects can be initiated. Some of the fastest working and most
effective ways of preservation come through hunting groups and other natural
resource groups. If we are all willing
to do our part as conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, biologists, and any
others of us who play a role in protecting the environments around us, then we
will be able to share and enjoy the beauties of nature in the years to come.
Works Cited
Weeks, Jennifer. "Native Species Suffer
When Invasives Thrive." CQ
Researcher 17 Feb. 2012.
Print.
Weeks, Jennifer. "USDA Seeks New
Farmers." CQ Researcher 10 Aug. 2012. Print.
"Encouraging Anglers to Keep Fish." Salt Lake Tribune 2 Oct. 2014. Print.
Sautner, Stephen, and John Delaney.
"Strange, Fanged Deer Persists in Afghanistan."Wildlife
Conservation Society. 13 Oct. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
<www.wcs.org/press/press-releases/strange-vampire-deer.aspx>.
"Mystery of the Vanishing
Pollinators." CQ
Researcher 13 Jan. 2007.
Print.
