Wildlife and Sustainability

Hello friends,

How time flies!!! We are already in the last week of the first month of 2022. I hope you kickstarted the year with a bang!

Friends, last month, Tequila Bubbles focused on Forests. And you did get a sneak peek into its irreplaceability.
This blog highlights the need for preserving the Carbon Sinks of the World as it is home to beautiful and unmatched Wildlife.

WILDLIFE

Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and any other undomesticated species in their natural habitat come under the periphery of Wildlife. Apart from the above, some environmentalists include plants and shrubs growing in the wild under the definition of Wildlife.

Wildlife and the Ecosystem

When I was researching this particular topic, an important aspect came to the forefront- the link between Wildlife and the ecosystems around the world.
Breaking the food chain will make the circle of life impossible. It’s a fact that every organism in this world is dependent on the other for their survival.

Here are a few food chains that demonstrate the Link between Wildlife and Ecosystems:

– Rabbits eat leaves of shrubs and other bushes. If the latter ceases to exist in the ecosystem, it will lower the number of rabbit species. In addition, those predators who depend on such animals for their food will also diminish.
– Certain insects like the grasshopper eat grass. Frogs and toads devour them in the food chain. Reptiles like snakes prey on these amphibians and, in turn, are consumed by eagles and hawks.
– Here’s another one, small fish eat weeds. So the small fish get consumed by large fish, which are the food source for cranes.
There are innumerable food chains where one animal or bird is dependent on the other or the existing plants and trees. And they all come under the purview of an ecosystem. And as the most advanced species, the onus is on us to maintain balance and sustain Wildlife in the best possible way.
As you have been reading in the previous posts, sustaining the environment and its components is the basis for continuing life on this planet.

But why is wildlife sustainability important?

Wildlife needs to be treasured and secured for future generations, not only to enjoy its beauty. But to ensure the survival of humans- as we depend on animals, birds, insects, etc. These non-human species perform many vital functions.

My personal opinion: Humans are dependent on the existence of the natural ecosystem, but the reverse is not valid. Every component of nature has been performing its functions and ‘responsibilities’ even when homo sapiens were not existing.

And the following will only prove the statement mentioned above:

Insects such as bees, bats, moths, and smaller birds are pollinators. And when they fly from one plant to the other, they transfer the genetic characteristics to the other species. Therefore, countless fruits and vegetables are a result of this pollination.
Insects like earthworms, animals like the turtle, and certain birds are responsible for maintaining the quality of the soil. They also act like mixers, i.e., birds, as they transport the earth from one place to another, leading to the successful growth of many plant-based foods utilized by humans.
Sustenance of Wildlife is essential as wild plants and shrubs have medicinal values.
Healthy and diverse Wildlife helps in the upkeep of ecological balance.
Excellent and abundant Wildlife with the required green cover will not only provide food security. It will lead to increased tourism and job creation as well.

Although these examples are minuscule compared to the myriad benefits of every organism, I must admit that the extent of usefulness and stability that humans derive from these species is overwhelming. And can’t be incorporated in a short article.

So far, the blog has been focusing on the need to maintain and sustain Wildlife.

However, one can undertake some basic steps to sustain the animal and plant kingdom.

Simple Steps to Sustain Wildlife

Individuals or groups can preserve Wildlife by undertaking simple measures.

Preserving water and ensuring that species can find water in their area
To maintain the food chain, protection of all forms of Wildlife is necessary.
Saving the endangered species from extinction is a measure that needs faster implementation.
Switching from non-vegetarian to plant-based foods is another step that people should promote avidly.
Another vital step is preventing illegal trading, hunting, and poaching animals for their skins, tusks, and horns.
Without a doubt, the regular upkeep and protection of habitats are mandatory.

Every country around the globe has its biodiversity to boast. But what needs to be understood is that future generations, too, deserve to experience this priceless treasure that nature has bestowed upon humans. And that no amount of money or economic benefit can bring back the flora and fauna that has become extinct-has to penetrate everyone’s minds.

Allow me to conclude this article with some interesting facts about specific species.

Lama Vicuna, Chile: In the 1960’s the Llama Vicuna (one of the South American camelids*, whose wool is costly as it is on the Vicuna in minimal quantity) was almost extinct. But with conservation efforts, they have been listed in the least concerned list of the endangered species.
Peregrine Falcon*: These blue beaked predators enjoy the prestigious position of being the fastest creatures on the planet. Humans have used them in falconry for thousands of years.
In the 1970s, these falcons entered the endangered species list, but thanks to the incessant efforts by conservationists, these majestic birds have revived their population.
Giant pandas have bounced back a little from the brink of extinction after a long and hard fight for conserving them. However, their future remains uncertain due to habitat loss and climate change.
Thus, one can understand that Wildlife and humans need to coexist. And in the current scenario, with unavoidable climate changes, it is all the more crucial to save them from disappearing from the face of the earth. And also ensure that humanity takes adequate steps in expanding the shrinking foliage and green cover to preserve natural habitats.So let us try and save this wonderful home called EARTH.