It has been claimed (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/07/extinction-species-evolve) that human impacts are generating a wave of extinctions of species worse than that evident when a collision with a large meteorite seemingly accounted for most of the dinosaurs. The basic problem is said to be that the changes put in train by our species are so fast that animals and plants cannot evolve fast enough to deal with them. Some of the recent 'good news stories' in conservation seem to carry the seeds of their own destruction. For example, a pride of 16 lions in South Africa is threatened with destruction because the owners of their reserve cannot afford the meat to feed them (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/08/game-reserve-lions-face-death). Mountain gorillas in the Congo are said to receiving new help (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/08/mountain-gorillas-drc-congo-virunga) after the impact of war in the region but I am a bit dubious about attempting to reconstitute a complex gorilla society with a juvenile pair of animals.
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Extinction Express
It has been claimed (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/07/extinction-species-evolve) that human impacts are generating a wave of extinctions of species worse than that evident when a collision with a large meteorite seemingly accounted for most of the dinosaurs. The basic problem is said to be that the changes put in train by our species are so fast that animals and plants cannot evolve fast enough to deal with them. Some of the recent 'good news stories' in conservation seem to carry the seeds of their own destruction. For example, a pride of 16 lions in South Africa is threatened with destruction because the owners of their reserve cannot afford the meat to feed them (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/08/game-reserve-lions-face-death). Mountain gorillas in the Congo are said to receiving new help (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/08/mountain-gorillas-drc-congo-virunga) after the impact of war in the region but I am a bit dubious about attempting to reconstitute a complex gorilla society with a juvenile pair of animals.
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5 comments:
Yes, it's in my mond constantly.
I'm expressing my concern by working on a 'Godwit Series' of paintings. But in focussing on it, I have to work hard at not getting depressed about it. Visits to bird sanctuaries and other natural places like your blog keeps me going!
mond = mind
Even 'conservation' can get a bit depressing. Just heard about several rare Siberian tigers in a Chinese zoo who starved to death after being fed only on chicken bones. One mustn't get too down about things, I suspect that things will even out eventually whether humans like it or not.
i found this post particularly interesting. keep on inspiring me.
from one of your animal behavour students - swansea
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