Conservation of biological Diversity Essay Example for Free

Conservation of biological Diversity Essay Conservation of biological diversity is the most important aspect on the globe since all demands of human existence are entirely dependent on it. Domestic, industrial, and leisure considerations of human existence are derived from nature. Recently, the focus on biodiversity conservation has increased owing to the greater levels of understanding on the local and international significance of conservation. Since the first United Nations Convention on Human Environment held in Stockholm 1972, the disparities between conservation and development have come to the lime light with great emphasis (Clifford Clifford, 61-62). However, conservation analysts have continued to differ over the overall effects of the international conservation rules in enhancing harmony that inculcates human being as a subcomponent of the ecosystem in which they exist. Whereas misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the term conservation has recurred for a long time, UNEP points out that it is the overall use of biological resources while enhancing their resilience to enhance inter and intra generational equity. The term conservation has been used interchangeably with preservation a notion which is totally wrong. The later denotes taking care of the biological diversity without exploiting them or their proceeds. Biological diversity (biodiversity) is a term used to indicate variations of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or the whole earth. It also encompasses the variability of living organisms from all sources, that include inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic and ecological complexes that they are part. This includes diversity within species, between them, and ecosystems (James Kim et al, 193-195). 2. Overview of the paper This paper explores conservation of biological diversity with an aim of establishing the existing conservation strategies present on a global scale and assessing their effectiveness. Tracing the origin of the concerns for conservation, the paper uses statistics to indicate the current situation of biodiversity conservation and threats globally. To add to that, it explores the policy and legislative framework to address the threats on a global scale and their domestication by various states. Using examples, the paper seeks to establish the future of conservation and the factors that will determine effective conservation of the biological diversity. 3. Background and statistics Conservation of biological diversity has existed since historic times where most of the communities lived and co-existed with the natural flora and fauna without posing any threat to it. Notably, after the settling of the Red Indians in Northwest Coast and Southwestern regions of North America, they totally relied on the wild without causing any threat to them. However, the modern conservation ideals are mostly linked to the first United Nations Convention on Human Environment which was held in Stockholm Sweden in 1972 (Clifford Clifford, 102-105). It was this meeting that resolved to form the United Nations Environment Program to act as the main body responsible for environment and conservation globally. Conservation biologists have indicated that the world is threatened with extinction than any other period in history. Global extinction is estimated to be 10, 000 higher than the natural background extinction rate. 32% of all the global surviving amphibians are threatened with extinction. Over the last 50 years, it is estimated that two-thirds of all the mammal genera weighing about 44 Kg (97lb) have become extinct. To add to that, 12% of all birds in the globe and 23% of all mammals are listed in the IUCN Red Data Book. By the year 2000, about 27% of the entire world coral reefs had collapsed and by 2050 extinction rates will range from 15% to 37% for all the planet species (IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, 60-65). Of greater concern is that about 70% of all the studied plants have been designated as threatened or endangered. 4. Threats to conservation of biological diversity a) Industrial and Agricultural activities Since industrial revolution, advancement in technology has heightened the rate of natural resources exploitation from the natural system. This increase in exploitation has directly or indirectly affected the flora, fauna, or their habitat with a great extent. Currently, massive whaling industries in the pacific have resulted to the great decline of the species. After the discovery of â€Å"new lands† (currently North America), the British industrialists embarked on large scale harvesting of the forest products that threatened vast species of flora and fauna in the region. Of greater concern, is the wildlife products sale and use that have endangered biodiversity like the Tragelaphus speke, Myotis leibii, Lamptetra bifrenatus, Ambystoma opacum, Crotalus horridus, and Sterna dougalii among others. In addition species like Gavia, immer, Martes americana, Notropis bifrenatus, and Clemmys guttata have become threatened with time (Mark, 280-300). Agricultural activities on the other hand have encroached into most of the biodiversitys habitats due to the demand from the rising population to be fed. At this point, agriculturalists have shallowly argued that it is more important to feed the people as opposed to conservation. To add to that, modern agricultural activities have resulted to use of inorganic and toxic agro-chemicals that poison the flora and fauna. Pesticides and fertilizer remnants are easily swept to the aquatic ecosystems during the rainy seasons killing or inducing mutations in the biological systems. b) Pollution As indicated earlier, industrial productions most negative effect is probably pollution emitted to the natural systems. Notably, production of goods is operated on a totally capitalistic note where reduction of production costs is strongly emphasized. As a result, pollution control and waste management has taken a back hand in most of these industries and urban establishment. Therefore, they release most of their wastes directly into the ecosystems where massive poisoning of flora and fauna takes place. During the United Nations Convention on Environment and Development in 1992 at Rio-de-Janeiro, agenda 21 indicated the great need to control pollution by the member states. Of greater concerns was the direct emission of heavy metals that undergo bio-magnification and bio-accumulation to the environment. These toxicants have long tern effects and shift upwards to affect all level of food chain in an ecosystem. Glenn et al (540-545), emphasis the earlier connotation of the Silent springs on the trans-boundary nature of pollutants which results to extended impacts on a global scale. Rachael Carson found out that even after chemicals are used, they are transported via environmental dynamics to far places like the Polar Regions where she noted extensive death of penguins. c) Monopolistic application of conservation policies Notably, conservation of biodiversity has become a hard nut to crack due to lack of harmony in the overall design and application of conservation consideration between states. Though diplomacy has recently taken an upper hand in ensuring amicable resolution of conflicts, conservation of biodiversity still lags behind. This has been prompted by the varying priorities by different administrations and countries authorities’ consideration. This has especially been noted with the migratory birds in the world where they shift to various regions during different seasons. According to David (254-257) about 50% of the birds found in the Northern Hemisphere migrate towards the tropics during winter and back in springs. David continues to say that the Bar Tailed Godwit and the Sooty Shearwater have especially been under great threat from massive wetlands destruction. To add to that, Mara and Serengeti ecosystems (seventh wonder of the world) is under threat due to extensive destruction of forests that supply water to the fragile downstream ecosystem. 5. International laws, regulations and policy framework a) UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program) As indicated earlier, the United Nations Conference on Human Environment which resulted to formation of UNEP was the main beginning for conservation concerns. The body was established with the overall mandate of coordinating all environmentally related issues globally. It was especially charged with the responsibility of ensuring that conservation of biodiversity was strictly enhanced. As a result, it organized the Convention on Biological Diversity that was held in Rio-De-Janeiro in the year 1992. The latter is considered to be the most comprehensive meeting in the history of conservation as it formed the main guidelines for conservation of biodiversity in the member states which it broke into three main considerations: (1) Conservation of biological diversity by the member states with short and long term considerations (2) Sustainable use of its components (3) Fair and equitable sharing of the proceed resulting from consideration (2) It formed the main platform for the later conservation initiatives like Cartagena protocol and played a key role in establishment of Kyoto protocol. Holistically, the Convention on Biological Diversity is envisaged on precautionary principle which calls for greater concern and study of all impacts that would result to the biodiversity destruction upon establishment of various projects (European Union, 9-12). b) Ramser Convention (The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance) This convention was established to assist in conservation of wetlands that have international importance. Notably, most of the wetlands have usefulness that goes beyond their territorial jurisdictions either culturally, economically, scientifically, and have extensive recreational values. The convention came to force in 1975 and by the year 2000, about 1, 630, 000 square kilometers in 1, 021 sites had been designated. Canada has the greatest area of designated wetlands of 130, 000 square kilometers. Notably, this convention has particularly assisted the migratory bird species that occasionally uses these wetlands (William James et al, 495-500).