Saving Fauna and Flora :Understanding biodiversity loss through Mapping.

The Earth biodiversity include species in the Ocean, Land and Birds. A study conducted by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found loss and fragmentation of habitat are among the reasons for the decline of species worldwide; land use changes are a major driver of biodiversity extinction. Many bird species have adapted and now use urban and agriculture land has their habitat. It is important planning conservation policies value all species as they play a vital role in the ecosystem not only those classified as “usefulness”. 

The government should expand their conservation focus and prioritise key habitats outside wilderness and current protected areas; it is suggested half the Earth surfaces requires protection, to preserve most of the species including humans.

Global conservation policies were successful in protecting some species but this ranges geographically as countries such as Brazil and China has not implemented these protective policies. According to a study in Nature Climate Change the best way to protect Corals and other threaten species is to conserve their habitats.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported a staggering 500 million people rely on Corals Reefs for food and livelihoods; however, Reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion. The Coral Reefs are under threat of extinction from global warming in the form of warm water bleaching, ocean acidification from carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels.

Global surface sea temperatures have been steadily rising since 1884; at the end of each summer, the sea ice cover reaches its minimum extent, leaving what is called the perennial ice cover. The area of the perennial ice has been steadily decreasing since the satellite record began in 1979 (climate.nasa.gov) NASA, recent satellite observations has detected a thinning of parts of the Greenland ice sheet at lower elevations.  A partial melting of this ice sheet would cause a 1-meter (3-foot) rise and if melted completely, the Greenland ice sheet contains enough water to raise sea level by 5-7 meters (16-23 feet). 

Warming Earth surface will lead to evaporation and precipitation with some regions becoming wetter and other’s dryer; an increase in the green house gas effect will continue to warm the ocean, melt glaciers and contribute to rising sea level. 

To protect and halt species extinction the environmental movement should work with government organisation to formulate conservation strategies in the Caribbean and worldwide and implement robust policies to preserve the ecosystem. 

The role of human activity has exacerbated global warming with a 95% probability greenhouse gas emission such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide has caused an increase in the Earth atmospheric temperature in the last 50 years. NASA (climate.nasa.gov) reported 1,300 scientific experts agreed the climate crisis is caused by anthropogenic movements. Scientist has observed a trend since the mid-20th century in the expansion of green house gases that resulted in warming of the Earth which is a process that traps heat radiating from Earth towards the sun. 

Heat waves caused by climate change and urbanisation are some the factors that has caused a decline in the Yellow-billed Cuckoo population, it is only one species in the vast world of fauna and flora. Its natural habitat is decreasing in size, NASA has created four innovative projects that will use data to map the species, their habitat and how they migrate to mitigate against climate change. The information will guide scientist, landowners and managers regarding the health of the ecosystem to aid adaptation. 

A healthy ecosystem is fundamental to our survival on Earth, therefore finding ways to map species will play an important role to sustain and maintain our vital resources and species. 

The MAP of Life developed by NASA is an interactive virtual database that tracks birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, insect and amphibians around the world. It integrates satellite images, museum records and other sources. The information provided from the database will forecast future migration due to climate change and help to understand whether their habitat will require protection by law and regulations.

According to Laura Rogers, a project manager at NASA’s Langley Research Centre, “these projects provide critical information to conservationists and policymakers to protect our planet”. The world is changing due to the climate crisis and rapid decisions should be made by policymakers, society, businesses and individuals on how best to engage with the environment in a sustainable way.

The data mapping tool aims to assist government and nongovernment bodies respond to the climate change positively to conserve and protect our planet’s most vulnerable species across the land and ocean habitats in a cost efficient and pragmatic way. The data so far,  has revealed land use changes such as agriculture, deforestation, and housing developments over wetlands are the primary drivers that impact on the decline of species and their habitat such as the decrease in dragon flies (peeny wally) in a particular area.

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Author: Keithia Grant