TODAY - Sunday, May 25, 2014International day of Biodiversity 2014
Naorem Munal *
Everything comes from biodiversity-from the food we eat to the air we
breathe. But issues arise threatening this vital part of nature. Threats
on endangered species, depleted watersheds, denuded forests, receding
wetlands and other harmful effects of human activities are just some of
these many issues. To keep these risks at bay, we are celebrating World
Biodiversity Day today. Biodiversity means the variety among living
organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine
and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they
are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of
the ecosystems.
Biodiversity supplies us in basic human needs such as food and water,
but also helps us, for example, dealing with our organic waste. These
are just some examples of the ecosystem functions that we can get for
free from our natural environment. If we want to preserve these free
services, we must protect the biodiversity we have still got left,
foster it and give it the space it needs to endure climate change and
related environmental threats.
CBD Graphic Timeline
The Earth's biological resources are vital to humanity's economic and
social development. As a result, there is a growing recognition that
biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present
and future generations. At the same time, the threat to species and
ecosystems has never been as great as it is today. Despite the attempts
that have been made to undermine progress made in solving environmental
problems, major progress has been made. Scientists and, increasingly,
the public are realizing that we are in an environmental crisis of
global-ecological proportions.
Human populations are still ascending at an exponential net rate of 3
persons per second, the atmosphere is warming up at the rate of 0.76ºC
per decade, both tropical and temperate rainforests are being cut at
alarming rates of a Football ground per minute, and serious pollution is
also much more prevalent than admitted previously. From the perspective
of biodiversity this means, species are being lost almost not on a
daily basis but on seconds, at the rate of one species per 20 minutes.
Acknowledgement of these problems, however, means that we can find
solutions for them, although most solutions require enormous economic
aids which may anchor these coherent problems.
Biodiversity of India
The natural wealth of the Indian subcontinent has remained unique,
mysterious and fascinating for nature lovers for ages. In Indian
philosophy, life in any form is deemed sacred and it is advocated that
compassion for all living creatures is essential. The worship of nature
in all its different forms is an essential part of our cultural legacy.
India owns 7.8% of the recorded species of biodiversity reserved in the
planet, though we share only 2.4% of the world's geographical area; over
and above harboring 18.6% of world population and 20% of world cattle
population. The country is in the 5 hot spots of the world. The rich and
fascinating variety of India's biodiversity populates more than 500
species of mammals, 1,220 species of birds, 1,600 species of reptiles
and amphibians, and 57,000 species of insects. India harbours 60% of the
world's wild tiger population, 50% of Asian elephants, 80% of the
one-horned rhinoceros and the entire remaining population of the Asiatic
lion.
Yet the biodiversity found within our country is in jeopardy. From
pollution to poaching, invasive species to habitat loss and
fragmentation, these life forms that we call biodiversity are not enough
to ensure for the future survival. The challenges of our Keibul Lamjao
National Park, the only floating N.P. in the world, the home of our
lovely Sangai is also not an isolated one from such agony.
Island Biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day for
Biological Diversity (IDB). Designation of IDB 2014 on the theme of
island ecosystems provides Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity and everyone interested in island life, the opportunity to
raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action. In Manipur,
we also have small islands of Thanga and Karang in the Loktal Lake.
Therefore this year's theme also endowed us to relates to the Loktak
where the Manipur's Ningthem shrine amidst endangers.
What is Island Biodiversity?
In terms of biodiversity, the issue is clearer: islands boast a truly
unique assemblage of life. Species become island dwellers either by
drifting on islands, like castaways, as they break off from larger
landmasses in the case of continental islands or by dispersing across
the ocean to islands newly emerged from the ocean floor for oceanic
islands.
Henceforth they are confined to small, isolated areas located some
distance from other large landmasses. Over time, this isolation exerts
unique evolutionary forces that result in the development of a distinct
genetic reservoir and the emergence of highly specialized species with
entirely new characteristics and the occurrence of unusual adaptations,
such as gigantism, dwarfism, flightlessness, and loss of dispersability
and defence mechanisms. Genetic diversity and population sizes tend to
be limited, and species often become concentrated in small confined
areas.
The legacy of a unique evolutionary history, many island species are
endemic—found nowhere else on Earth. Islands harbour higher
concentrations of endemic species than do continents, and the number and
proportion of endemics rises with increasing isolation, island size and
topographic variety. It has often been remarked that islands make a
contribution to global biodiversity that is out of proportion to their
land area. In this sense, they can be thought of collectively as
biodiversity "hot spots", containing some of the richest reservoirs of
plants and animals on Earth.
Island Biodiversity - Why is it Important?
Islands are home to some 600 million people—one-tenth of the world's
population. Many islanders are endowed with unique cultures and derive
much of their economic, environmental and cultural well-being directly
or indirectly from the rich natural resources in their immediate
environment. Islands harbour numerous discrete ecosystems, from mountain
forests to wetlands and beyond, that provide food, fresh water, wood,
fibre, medicines, fuel, tools and other important raw materials, in
addition to aesthetic, spiritual, educational and recreational values,
that support island livelihoods, economies and cultures. Island
ecosystems also contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem functions:
they provide defence against natural disasters, support nutrient
cycling, and soil and sand formation; and they contribute to the
regulation of climate and diseases.
Yet island biodiversity is not only of vital importance to island
dwellers. Islands are repositories of genetic information whose
present-day biodiversity stands as a record of millions of years of
evolution. This biodiversity has an inherent value to humankind the
world over.
Island Biodiversity - What's the Problem?
The unique characteristics that make island biodiversity so special also
leave it particularly fragile and vulnerable. Despite the high levels
of biodiversity and the prevalence of endemism, island species are
present in relatively small numbers, making them very vulnerable to
extinction. Furthermore, because island species have diminished
dispersal capability and evolve in competition with relatively few other
species, they develop survival strategies based on interdependency,
co-evolution, and mutualism rather than defence mechanisms against a
broad range of predators and competitors.
As a result, many island species have become rare or threatened, and
islands have a disproportionate number of recorded species extinctions
when compared to continental systems. Of the 724 recorded animal
extinctions in the last 400 years, about half were of island species. At
least 90% of the bird species that have become extinct in that period
were island-dwellers. Therefore the biodiversity loss is a particular
concern on islands.
The global celebrations which takes place in the fourth year of the
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, will contribute to the ten-year
project to raise awareness about the role of biodiversity for human
well-being and the actions that can be taken to protect it. Future of
our valued biodiversity depends on the action and values of people.
Local authorities and governments are in the best position to reach out
to citizens and involve, enable and inspire local stakeholders.
Cultural diversity and biodiversity (Wild Life) exist hand in hand. By
facilitating a deeper relationship with the environment and the mankind,
the world's Biodiversity can be conserved for the future. Let us not
harm our environment today and only that will make a bright and
rich-full biodiversity.
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