Biodiversity of Species Part #2 (Non-humans)
Wednesday we talked about biodiversity of the species – while focusing on the human species. You can read about this here. A key point for humans is that there is actual strength in difference. Diversity of people are important for the stability and evolution of humans. Unfortunately, languages get lost every day! Unbelievable that there are that many!!
Beseeching, Digital © Diane Clancy
Then there is biodiversity (Wikipedia) of the rest of the species. Science actually echoes thought (or is it the other way around?), the idea that there is strength in difference. Variety in species is actually necessary for the continuation of life. It used to be thought that many animals were cool and a nice thing. The more it gets looked into, it becomes clearer that it is necessary for life.
We have all heard of how many medicines that are so helpful actually are found in plants and microorganisms – that has been an incredible breakthrough. But each of us, human, animal, plant, microorganism … is part of the web of life. Variety actually strengthens our resistance to problems.
The potato famine in Ireland (1850’s) is seen to have been caused by a lack of variety in crops. When things are too uniform, they are weakened so that they are more vulnerable to catastrophe and problems in general. Think about each of us. I know when I do things only one way, when my rhythm is broken, I have less resilience to make changes more easily. To some extent it is similar with nature.
When agriculture gets too uniform and we lose heritage varieties, the ecosystem is weakened. Right now, there is a strong movement in saving old varieties of plant seeds to have for the future. Unfortunately, at the same time, there is a movement by big agribusiness for uniformity so that they can grow, pack, move and sell more easily – that is, more uniformly. This is part of why buying locally is important.
It is disturbing that we are losing so many species every year at this point. It is greatly disturbing that so many species are getting destroyed – yes, I mean destroyed – with the rain forest destruction. The rain forests hold some of the keys to life in many ways – biodiversity, oxygen, indigenous peoples, natural medicines .. the list goes on.
There are some efforts to protect species that are endangered and bring them back. The bald eagle in Massachusetts, US has had some real success. But these plants and animals are another reason why we need to protect the environment and look at our ecological footprint – as so many of us are doing.
This is just a quick overview, but I hope I have given you food for thought about why variety and difference are important for our very survival as a human species. A bright point is that there are still some new species that are being found – particularly in Indonesia. It is amazing to me! Not that these species are new – but those people who keep track of such things are finding them for the first time. This gives some hope for biodiversity – this also means there is that much more land we need to protect – at the same time we respect the needs of the people who live there and depend on these areas.
I know I have given a very slight overview of this topic and welcome your own thoughts, experiences and ideas!
~ Diane Clancy
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I see what you are talking about here in East Texas. Many people planted “red tips” Photinia xfraseri whice eventually developed fungus problems and died out. Now we see a lot of Yaupon Hollies llex vomitoria that are developing similar problems. Also we find plants that have escaped cultivation and found in our woods. These plants displace the native species and can cause extinction. The lack of diversity is not something distant and far away. It apply to us (people) in a very personal way.
It makes me feel somewhat pessimistic when I really stop and think about what we humans are doing. I understand the importance of diversity and still see that uniformity is at the winning hand. There is so much knowledge about what we are doing wrong on the planet, yet major companies just keep right on doing them and we little people hardly seem to make a difference. Or am I being to pessimistic now? I know, I must always keep trying to do my share and so I will. But when will somebody stop the madness? When will enough people boycott the whole system and bring it to a screeching halt?
Well said. We have the same problem of escaping garden plants that Bobbie mentions. We have one or two like Japanese knotweed and other such that are spreading everywhere. Even in the countryside – they seem to travel along canals and railways and once they come in they are really hard to get rid of. One of our neighbours across the stream decided to cut down all his wild plants and wiped out birds’ nests and all – knotweed moved in immediately – so I look at it regularly ready to do battle if it looks as if it is coming over the water!
Hi Bobbie, it is disturbing to hear stories like this – and important to share I think. Thank you!! We have a lot of problems with native species getting pushed out too. I think it is positive that people are beginning to take it personally!
Hi Irene, it is easy to get pessimistic. I think there is no question that many major companies turn their heads from the environment. Thank goodness some are paying attention. All I know for sure, is that I need to do my part and keep stretching myself and encouraging others to also.
Hi Frances, we have problems locally with the Japanese knotweed too. Very persistence. raveling along railways and canals makes sense … they are relatively clear. I am glad you are vigilant toward it. It sounds like your neighbor didn’t make an ecologically sound decision.
Thank you!
~ Diane Clancy
Hey teacher! Thanks for delving into this subject… I love the collage and the strong emotion which comes with it. I am rather biased towards figurative styles and this speaks to me. I love her posture and the hand placement. Being naked makes it even more poignant. Great job, teach!
Hi Neda, thank you so much! And thank you for acknowledging my teaching … I think I am a born teacher and probably would have been very happy in the classroom. So glad you like this image! ~ Diane