We have seed banks, to ensure that, in the event of a catastrophe, we don't lose the genetic diversity of plants. It has now been suggested by scientists that we should develop a store for the range of beneficial bacteria that inhabit the human gut in different populations of our species (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/04/build-noahs-ark-for-beneficial-gut-microbes-scientists-say). These bacteria can do many useful things including reducing our tendency for certain diseases and manufacturing vitamins. Seems a good idea but, the way things are going, there might also be a need to conserve the bacteria involved in biogeochemical cycles. Beneficial fungi might require a protected 'home' as well. Come to think of it, we really need secure protections for all types of organism if we insist on treating the planet as an infinite resource.
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.
Saturday, 6 October 2018
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Sandwich Island Saga 41. Overview
At the end of my first return to the Hawaiian Islands for some 30 years, a recap seems appropriate. The islands are American without quite ...
-
It should hardly be called a study. A Which comparison looked at levels of nitrogen dioxide and small particulates (PM 2.5s) in 5 Londo...
-
Europe has a city congestion problem. In 2023, London was the most gridlocked location, closely followed by Paris and Dublin. In that year...
-
It's necessary, where possible, to replace diesel and petrol-fueled vehicles by electrical equivalents. Electric vehicles (EVs) don...
1 comment:
Yes. Agree 100% with the seed bank concept. But do you know how many 'individuals' are generally represented of each type? I am concerned that it may have to contain more than realised. I once talked to Someone Clever about the chances for regenerating populations (like the Chatham Is Black Robin Petroica traversi, which got down to five, but there are many species in NZ to choose from, sadly) and he said that once a population gets below a couple of thousand, the chances of there being enough genetic diversity in it to be responsive to *ordinary* environmental pressures (this conversation was held before we knew about the rapid rate of global climate change) were virtually nil. Which was depressing.
Post a Comment