Protect Biodiversity & Wilderness
5 Countries Control 70% of the World's Remaining Wilderness
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It is only thanks to Nature that man has all the necessities of life.
Biodiversity – under this name is all the life to be found in one particular area – that is, the diversity of animals, plants, fungi and even microorganisms such as bacteria that make up our natural world. So we can talk about the richness of life on Earth.
The term "biological diversity" was coined for the first time in 1916 by the American botanist Arthur Harris in his article "The Variable Desert", published in the scientific magazine The Scientific Monthly. The specific term "biodiversity" was first introduced by Walter G. Rosen in 1985 during a meeting for the National Forum on Biodiversity held in Washington, DC.
Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on our planet, and is significantly richer in tropical areas. Although these ecosystems cover less than 10 % of the Earth’s surface, they are home to approximately 90 % of all world species. For example, the coral reefs in the north of Australia host about 500 species of fish, while reefs off the coast of the Japanese islands host about 100 species.
If we wanted to measure the quality and diversity of the environment, it would be based on biodiversity.
Biodiversity hotspots map. Source: Wikimedia.
Biodiversity Hotspots In 1988, Norman Myers came up with a list of 10 primeval forests, which he selected according to the level of plant endemism and the high level of habitat loss. This created the first list of biodiversity hotspots. Two years later, he added 8 more.
Conservation International subsequently developed criteria for selecting regions to be classified as hotspots:
- at least 1 500 species of vascular plants should be present as endemics (> 0.5 % of the global total).
- the region has lost more than 70 % of its original environment.
The resulting list with biodiversity epicenters serves to better target the protection of the most endangered areas.
At this moment, 36 areas are determined according to strict criteria. Even though it only makes up about 2.3 % of the Earth's surface, 44 % of the world's plants and 35 % of terrestrial vertebrates can be found here. The vast majority of species here are endemic i.e. they do not occur anywhere else on Earth. Biodiversity hotspots are also home to approximately two billion people who rely on the local healthy ecosystems.
Clown Fish in a Sea Anemone. Source: Unsplash.
How is biodiversity measured? Measuring biodiversity is not that complicated and only depends on how big a whole we focus on. We can distinguish biodiversity at the local level, but of course also at the global level – from counting individual trees, ecosystems or landscapes. But in general, biodiversity is measured according to three levels:
- genetic diversity which takes into account the total diversity of genes within one species. We know that each species is made up of a number of different individuals, and each individual is made up of thousands of individual genes. Combining all the genes in a species then provides information about the genetic diversity of the species.
- species diversity, where the diversity of endemic species in the region is calculated i.e. species that can be found exclusively in one place and these species do not occur anywhere else in the world. Endemic species are of course more prone to extinction, because all it takes is to destroy a relatively small habitat and the entire species is endangered.
- ecosystem diversity, where the number of individual ecosystems found in one locality is counted and compared. With a greater number of individual ecosystems, the probability of a greater variety of species that can live there also increases.
If we wish, we can also focus on the diversity of the ecosystem in a specific location. In the same way as endemic species, we could also count unique ecosystems that do not occur anywhere else in the world. These can be, for example, ecosystems on islands where life evolved separately from e.g. terrestrial species, and specifically adapted to a new environment.
Why is biodiversity so important to humans? Biodiversity provides food, medicine, and sources of raw materials. We draw energy from it and it inspires us to new discoveries and inventions. Without any exaggeration, we can say that our well-being and entire existence depends on Nature.
Biodiversity plays a fundamental role for humans, mainly in terms of:
- supply, as it provides us with water, clean air, food and medicine.
- regulation, because it has an effect on controlling the development of the climate and the spread of diseases.
- support, as the cycle of nutrients and processes associated with pollination occur.
- culture, as people seek it as a source of relaxation and for spiritual reasons.
Did you know… more than one-half of cancer drugs are of natural origin or are derived from natural sources?
Mount Assiniboine, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, East Kootenay G, BC, Canada. Source: Unsplash.
Wilderness Wilderness or wildlands usually refers to a natural environment that is not affected by any human activity. That is, without urban or agricultural intervention. Today, people seek it out and protect it, but throughout history, the opposite was the norm.
Unspoilt Nature is not always the most biodiverse area. In any case, wilderness plays a key role in preserving the diversity of species – it creates a buffer zone against the risk of extinction. Outside of wilderness areas, this risk doubles!
Wildlife is encountered in different places in the world. It may be really remote and spread over practically the entire surface of Antarctica, but some wildlife is hidden just a short distance from your home. For example, Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is located within the large, densely populated urban center of Los Angeles, California.
Wilderness areas are protected for a wide range of biological, social, economic, spiritual and recreational benefits. Often their added value lies in the fact that they are spectacularly beautiful places that evoke awe.
Gila Wilderness Area in 1960. Source: Wikimedia.
Wilderness Conservation in Retrospect Religion has had a great influence on wildlife. From the beginning, it was associated with natural deities and was respected by people. With the arrival of Christianity in Europe, this "divine part" gradually moved to only one God and with Him also to divine laws. According to the new religion, God no longer resided in Nature, and for those who interpreted religion, Nature was a place where evil forces and generally bad things originated. This new view was to root out people's interest in the original natural deities. Moreover, at the time of the colonization of new lands, the wilderness was seen as one of the main obstacles to the penetration of "proper civilization" into the New World and the main enemy of settlers.
In order to be fair to our ancestors, efforts to protect Nature also took place throughout history. The first mentions can be traced back to the period of the Babylonian and Chinese Empires. In Europe, around the 3rd century, English Kings began to protect parts of Nature. Their motive back then was not the well-being of Nature, but rather to secure territories rich in game, which they could hunt. It was the same in other medieval European countries.
In Asia, on the territory of the present-day Mongolia, Bogd Khan Uul mountain was already protected in the 13th century. In 1778, it was declared a "Major Sacred Mountain" by decree of the Manchu Emperor, and in 1783 the ruling Qing Dynasty declared it a protected area to be preserved for its beauty. Thus, the very first protected reserve in the world was created.
In the Western world, progress in Nature Conservation occurred during the Enlightenment and subsequently with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. People became more aware of their impact on Nature and that natural resources are not inexhaustible. The second protected area was Yellowstone National Park, founded on March 1, 1872, based on a decree of the American President Ulysses S. Grant. It is spread over an area of 3 468.4 square miles (8 983 square kilometers) in the heart of North America.
The third oldest protected territory is the Royal National Park in Australia. It was formally proclaimed on April 26, 1879 by Sir John Robertson, the acting Premier of New South Wales. It has an area of 151 square kilometers (58 sq mi).
In the wilderness area, a breakthrough in conservation happened on June 3, 1924 (thanks to Aldo Leopold), when the Gila Wilderness Area was created in New Mexico with the size of 755 000 acres (over 3 000 square kilometers). It was the first truly protected wilderness area.
During the 20th century, protected areas grew and conservationists received the support of new laws. One of the groundbreaking laws was The Wilderness Act. It was signed on September 3, 1964 by the President of the USA, Lyndon B. Johnson. With it, he created a way for Americans to protect their pristine wilderness for future generations. More than 750 wilderness areas from coast to coast, totaling nearly 112 million acres are now protected by this Act.
Exploring Nature. Source: Unsplash.
How can wilderness be measured? In order to qualify an area as a wilderness, it was necessary to establish parameters. The Wilderness Act of 1964 lists four characteristics that a wilderness area should have. These are:
- Untrammeled - territory without significant human influence. At the same time, Nature and natural influences should be allowed to fully manifest themselves here.
- Natural - a place with original flora and fauna.
- Undeveloped - there should be as few human-made objects and structures as possible, such as paved surfaces or signboards.
- Opportunities for Solitude or Recreation - so that people have the opportunity to spend time in Nature hiking, watching animals or just simply relaxing.
How much wilderness is left and where is it? Places where there is still wilderness can be found all over the world, but most of the time these are only small islands of the original larger units. There are 5 countries where more than 70 % of the world's total area of wilderness is located:
- USA.
- Brazil.
- Canada.
- Russia.
- Australia.
These five countries will probably not be a surprise. But if we expand the number, a surprising fact is that 94 % of the wilderness is located in 20 countries around the world.
Biodiversity loss is now 100 to 1000 times faster than through natural processes.
For millions of years, life has evolved on our planet in perfect balance. In every habitat, in every ecosystem, predators and prey, from microbes to large mammals, coexisted in complex, interconnected networks. But man changed that. After the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the negative impact that man has on his surroundings gradually became visible.
Industrial agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels have affected virtually every ecosystem on the planet. Climate change, deforestation and pollution have destroyed or damaged the habitats of species. Species decline is now 100 to 1000 times faster than it would have been by natural processes! The speed and extent of this extinction is comparable to the extinction of species that already took place in the past.
In many countries, wilderness lacks the formal status of a protected natural area. Sometimes it even lacks a culturally recognized word. At the same time, these are areas that fundamentally affect life, including human life.
From the beginning, the meaning of this word was applied only to areas that are located on land, but, recently, areas in the oceans are also coming to the fore. It is these areas that have suffered the greatest decline in recent times. We currently have about:
- 23 % of wilderness area on land,
- 13 % of wilderness area in the oceans.
Threats Due to Climate Change For a long time, climate change was denied and its role downplayed. Today, however, we see direct consequences in practically all areas of our planet. The main symptoms are:
- rising temperatures (Average US temperatures have risen by more than 1 degree Fahrenheit over the past century, and the Earth's atmosphere has warmed by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900.)
- sea level rise (over the last 100 years, the level has risen about 8 inches.)
- melting of sea ice (this is the process that is most visible because, since 1979, the area of Arctic sea ice in September, when the annual minimum is reached, has decreased by more than 30 %. This threatens the existence of polar bears, seals and walruses.)
- ocean acidification (atmospheric carbon dioxide enters the seawater, which absorbs it. But this causes a change in pH. It has decreased by 0.1 units since 1750 and is predicted to decrease by another 0.5 units by 2100.)
- change in the amount of precipitation (due to higher temperatures, the saturation of the air with water vapor also changes. The amount of precipitation changes, where, for example, in the Northeast and Midwest, precipitation has increased by 5 % to 20 % over the last 50 years, while the Southeast of the USA suffers from greater droughts, as well as floods.)
Loss of Natural Habitat As a result of habitat destruction, fragmentation or degradation, natural areas where animals can live are lost. The loss of natural habitat is thus the main threat to wildlife. Growing requirements for agricultural land, the need for more land for housing development and the development of the water situation in the landscape may be to blame.
Did you know... meat and dairy production takes up more than 70 % of the world's agricultural land, even though it only covers 18 % of humanity's caloric needs?
Due to its scale, industrial agriculture has a huge impact on biodiversity, as well as on human health. Excessive use of pesticides can help protect crops, but, on the other hand, it decimates insect populations. Used fertilizers are washed into water sources during rains, contaminating them. In rivers and other bodies of water, they cause excessive growth of algae, which takes away the living space of other life. This creates dead zones.
Pollution We encounter pollution around us every day. It can take the form of air in a city affected by exhaust fumes from cars and chimneys of factories and power plants. This may include trash produced by people, dirty water, as well as chemical substances that get into the soil during agricultural activities.
Through this pollution, substances enter the soil, air or water that Nature cannot always deal with. Their excess then causes a number of problems. For example, phosphorus and nitrogen are indispensable to plant life. With the use of fertilizers, however, a huge amount of them enters the soil, which is subsequently washed away with water and causes damage to waterways and their ecosystems. Mercury is one of the most harmful substances that endangers humans as well as animals. Mercury contained in emissions in the air falls to Earth and accumulates in soil and water. There it turns into methylmercury – a highly toxic form. It is a potent neurotoxin that affects the function and development of the central nervous system in humans and wild animals.
Did you know… coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury contamination in the United States and are responsible for approximately 50 % of human-caused mercury emissions?
Overexploitation People got used to exploiting Nature to the fullest. Overexploitation manifests itself at almost all levels:
- fish - with the improvement of fishing boats and technology, fishing is very efficient in terms of extracting as many as possible from the water. In this way, not only is the fish population being decimated, but also that of other animals. They either become by-catch or the quantity of food available to them is secondarily reduced.
- birds suffer from humans’ presence on multiple levels. They are captured or hunted for sport, food or as part of the exotic animal market. Millions of birds are traded internationally every year. Almost 30 % of globally endangered birds are affected by overexploitation, mainly parrots, pigeons and pheasants.
- mammals have always been hunted by humans as a source of food or fur. Over time, sport hunting and animal trade were added to it. Rhinos, tigers, bears, primates, but of course also many other animals are threatened by this.
- reptiles are hunted, for example, for their skin (crocodiles or lizards), eggs or their meat. Egg collecting has brought Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles to the brink of extinction.
- amphibians, e.g. frogs, suffer as victims of the pet trade, gastronomy, medicine and as educational aids.
- invertebrates belong to the largest group of animals. A number of other animal species depend on them as food. Thanks to overexploitation, entire animal orders are threatened.
- plants are vital to our survival and are the basis of most ecosystems. To humans, they are, among other things, a source of food, medicine and building materials. Due to excessive logging and interventions in ecosystems, a whole range of plants is endangered.
Invasive Species It doesn't sound too serious as a threat, but these species have an even greater impact. It is estimated that approximately 42 % of endangered species are threatened merely because of invasive species.
Invasive species are often spread by human activity and mostly unintentionally. Thanks to the interconnectedness of the world and the transport of goods over long distances, we also carry uninvited species with us. These are, for example:
- Cogongrass - an Asian plant that spreads southeast and displaces native plants. It provides no food value to native wildlife and increases the threat of wildfires, because it burns faster than native grasses.
- Dutch Elm Disease - since 1930, the disease has spread from Ohio to most of the country, killing more than one-half of the Elms in the northern United States.
- Feral Pigs - they will eat practically everything they come across, including native birds. They compete with native wildlife for food sources and spread diseases, such as brucellosis, to humans and livestock.
Diseases Diseases are a natural part of life. In a healthy ecosystem, diseases do not threaten species as much. Damaged ecosystems (whether through climate change, biodiversity loss or habitat loss) are more vulnerable to emerging diseases. Diseases from invasive species pose a danger, as native animals may not have natural immunity to them. Examples are:
- Fibropapillomatosis - which causes skin tumors in sea turtles.
- White-Nose Syndrome - which affects and decimates bat colonies.
- Chytrid Fungus - A fungus that attacks the skin of amphibians and impairs their ability to breathe or absorb water through their skin.
- Chronic Wasting Disease - a highly contagious and fatal neurological disease that primarily affects deer and elk.
Wildfires Forest fires are becoming an annual negative event. Of course, the self-regulating fires that have always occurred in wildlands benefit the entire ecosystem, but that is changing today. With climate change and a lack of rainfall, forest fire patterns are changing. Nowadays, they mostly affect the western USA, northern Siberia, central India and eastern Australia. In the US alone, there will be 66 255 wildfires in 2022, affecting 7.5 million acres. Fires, drought and heatwaves also cause significant economic losses. In 2021 alone, losses totaled $20.36 billion.
You can support wildlife as soon as you open the door of your home.
Conservation is the most important defense against biodiversity loss. It can take different forms and each individual will surely find the direction in which he/she feels best. Remember that biodiversity is all around you in every part of living Nature. Ecosystems are so interconnected that even if you live inland, your good deeds related to conservation will be reflected in the life of whales in the oceans, for example.
Habitat Protection This is extremely important for the preservation of biological diversity. It can take the form of protecting nesting sites of wildlife and of course building houses for birds and bats. You can plant native plants and maintain water resources in Nature. The animals thus get a place to shelter, find food and everything else needed to survive and raise the next generations.
Combat Climate Change Man plays the biggest role in climate change. That's why the biggest change is up to us all. It is necessary to limit the burning of fossil fuels, in order to reduce the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide. The time has come to give priority to renewable sources of electricity, more efficient use of electricity with more economical devices, to focus on the origin of food and to stop wasting raw materials.
Pressure on Elected Representatives Do you think that you are too small for some of the global or even local challenges? This is why we have democracy and representatives elected by the people. Elect those whose views best correspond with your worldview. Present your needs to them and request clear results. This is exactly why you give them your vote – so that your voice is stronger and you are able to enforce more effectively the protection and saving of our natural environment.
Adopt! This does not mean that you will suddenly have a Polar Bear by the pool and a Panda in your tree! On the contrary, you will choose an organization that cares for endangered animals and the adoption will be only virtual. You choose an animal that is important to you and can then support it financially from a (safe) distance.
Volunteer! Do you have a bigger heart than your wallet and helping is the meaning of life for you? You can be included among the volunteers who donate their time. You can help in shelters, in forests or in the cleaning of beaches – every activity is important and each one counts.
Spread the Word! Don't keep important information to yourself. Share with your friends, family and acquaintances about the issue of wildlife and biodiversity loss. You can share ideas on how to help and support each other to assist Nature.
Shop Responsibly! Watch what you buy. Some products may be made from protected animals (for example, preparations of traditional Chinese medicine) or directly affect the environment in which animals live, e.g. unsustainably grown oil palms that grow at the expense of virgin forests.
Recycle! You can find the origin of the materials around you in Nature. If you recycle paper, the number of trees cut down will be reduced. Thanks to the recycling of plastics, less plastic ends up in Nature as waste, and the same is true of glass, iron and other materials. Recycling makes sense!
Pick up Trash! Do not be indifferent to your surroundings. Even if the trash you find in your neighborhood is not caused by you, you can still help to clean it up. You will assist Nature and wildlife, and your activities will also motivate others to do the same.
Give! You can also assist financially in biodiversity and wildlife protection. Choose an organization that you think has a meaningful project and support it. It could be medical assistance at shelters on the other side of the world, or feeding animals in need in your own town. Here it is certainly true that no contribution is too small.
