In our ongoing exploration of biodiversity and climate change, we delve deeper into why protecting Earth’s variety of life is so crucial in the fight against climate chaos. Human activities release greenhouse gases, but nature’s ecosystems act as a buffer, soaking up a big chunk of these gases. Forests, peatlands, and marine environments are particularly effective at this. So, what can we do to help? Let’s discuss some practical steps, like assisting species in finding new habitats and expanding protected areas. In today’s blog I will uncover the importance of safeguarding Earth’s natural wonders for a stable future.
Why Biodiversity is important to tackle climate change?
Following are the reasons why biodiversity is pivotal to tackling climate change:
Human activities that generate greenhouse gases result in approximately half of these emissions staying in the atmosphere, while ecosystems like land and oceans absorb the rest. These habitats, along with their diverse species, act as natural carbon storage, offering nature-based solutions to combat climate change.
Forest conservation, management, and rehabilitation contribute to about two-thirds of the total potential for mitigation provided by all nature-based solutions. Despite significant and continuous depletion, forests still span over 30 percent of the Earth’s terrestrial surface.
Peatlands, which are wetland ecosystems such as marshes and swamps, occupy merely 3 percent of the global land area, yet they sequester twice the carbon compared to all forests combined. To preserve and rehabilitate peatlands, it’s crucial to maintain their moisture to prevent the carbon from oxidizing and escaping into the atmosphere.
Marine environments like seagrasses and mangroves are also adept at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, doing so at rates up to four times greater than land-based forests. This remarkable capacity to capture and store carbon renders mangroves incredibly effective in the battle against climate change.
Preserving and rejuvenating natural areas, both terrestrial and aquatic, is crucial for curbing carbon emissions and adjusting to the climate changes already underway. Approximately one-third of the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade could be realized by enhancing nature’s capability to absorb these emissions.
What can we do to protect biodiversity?
We can take action to assist, protect and conserve natural ecosystems and prevent the loss of our planet’s endangered wildlife, such as:
‘Assisting’ the migration of species
It is known by various terms such as ‘assisted colonization’, ‘assisted translocation’, ‘assisted migration’. and ‘assisted movement’. This measure essentially involves aiding at-risk species in finding new habitats where they can thrive. ‘Passive’ assisted colonization emphasizes enabling species to relocate on their own, whereas the most ‘active’ approach involves physically relocating individuals to a new habitat.
This concept differs from traditional reintroductions, which are a standard part of conservation efforts. Climate-driven relocations involve moving flora or fauna to regions where they have no historical presence, but which have become suitable due to climate change. In more dire situations, another form of assisted adaptation includes preserving species in controlled environments like zoos, seed banks, or frozen embryo repositories until climate change can be mitigated and possibly reversed, allowing for their eventual release back into the wild.
Extending protected zones and their connectivity
Many species face severe limitations in relocating due to human-made barriers like agricultural lands and urban areas. By increasing the linkage between protected zones or creating smaller patches or corridors of semi-natural environments within predominantly agricultural or urban settings, we can facilitate wildlife movement. These areas serve as safe passages where wildlife is shielded from hunting and harmful substances, thereby aiding their migration and survival.
Figure: Possible actions to assist, protect and conserve natural ecosystems and prevent the loss of our planet’s endangered wildlife in the face of continued climate change. (Inspired by the Natural Alliance website© Chris Heward/GWCT; Source: IPCC)
In conclusion, preserving biodiversity is pivotal in combating climate change. Through protecting ecosystems and adopting innovative strategies such as assisted species migration, we pave the way for a more sustainable future. Let’s unite in our efforts to safeguard Earth’s diverse life forms for generations to come.
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