A new method to conserve biodiversity views the problem from the point of view of an entire landscape instead of a single species
FOR most lay persons, the conservation
of biodiversity is a concept that remains
confined to the realm of forests. It is a
subject which leaves their day to day
existence untouched. But as Australian
ecologist Robert Lambeck suggests, this
disinterest will end if conservationists
change their way of thinking (Science,
Vol 271, No 5255).
Lambeck works for the Wildlife and
Ecology Division at the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO) in Western
Australia. He feels that ecologists should
consider a number of 'focal' species
which would help define the characteristics of a landscape, rather than concentrating on protecting a single species,
say the spotted owl in North America
or the Australian Numbat, a banded
ant-eater.
The rural landscape of Australia
predominantly comprises patches of
cropland and pastures, which could
support a large number of floral and
faunal species. Therefore, the land is
dear to both farmers and conservationists. Since most of the cropland is privately-owned, farmers will not undertake serious measures to preserve the
biodiversity of their lands unless they
are offered sufficient incentives.
Lambeck's concerns stem from the fact
that 30 per cent of the local mammalian
species have become extinct; half the
bird population is on the decline and
around 24 plant species have totally
vanished from an area largely dominated by wheat fields, in southwestern
Australia. An added reason for
Lambeck's interest is the fact that he
happens to belong to the area.
According to Lambeck,a field survey of existing species, and others likely
to enter the region, should be conducted right at the start of the conservation
programme. The species enlisted by the
surveyors is then revieNyqd by experts,
who eliminate those species of plants
and animals, whose survival is not
threatened. The vulnerable ones are
placed in sub-groups, depending on the
management strategies required to protect them. Some species like the plant
called acorn banksia - need minimal
protection- requiring only fencing to
exclude cattle from browsing.
But there are others, like the yellow
robin, whose preservation would
demand drastic changes in the
landscape itself.
The species which require maximum attention are used to identify the
critical elements of the landscape. Such
species are presumed to be able to
define certain features of the area they
inhabit, mainly because these very factors hamper their existence. The factors
are: the area occupied by them, their
movement within that and the availability of resources therein. For example,
the species that requires the largest area
becomes the 'focal' species and demarcates the land required to design the
landscape. Similarly, those with the least
mobility will help decide the character
of sub areas within the landscape and
even provide clues as to how these various patches could be connected. Even
the absence of certain species would
indicate which native species should be
re-introduced into the region.
David Goldney, an ecologist from
the Charles Stuart University at
Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia,
says, "The main value of his
(Lambeck's) model is that it helps break
the single-species mindset of the
"Australian ecologist."
But not all scientists are confident
about the feasibility of this model,
which at present is only a theory, "He is
taking a snapshot," says Steve Falconer,
project officer for Rural Nature
Conservation of the World Wide Fund
for Nature, New South Wales. "I question whether it takes enough into consideration to ensure long-term viability
of the ecosystem", Falconer contends..
its critics aJso contend that the model
doe4 inot take into account the occurrence of climatic changes. Finally, it is
also alleged that Lambeck's model is not
practical from the fiscal point of view.
Conservationists are concerned about
the lack of finances in Australia to
sponsor such largescale projects, such as
buying land for habitat preserves. Nor
have farmers been promised any tax
deductions for setting aside land for
conservation.
But Lambeck defends the project
by saying that farmers have shown
interest in his plans as long as they
do not threaten them in any manner.
For instance, on the large wheat
farms where Lambeck has been
conducting his studies, the land
suffers from salinity due to the high
watertables of the area. To lower
the watertables, farmers could
contribute some marginal land for
the propagation of exotic trees or
native vegetation, or even both,
instead of wheat. Denis Saunders, a
CS[Ro ecologist says that such an
approach would prove that preservation and profits are not mutually
exclusive. Therefore, not all hope is
lost. Says Saunders, "We are now trying
to integrate Lambeck's model with
existing strategies so that farm production and wildlife conservation can
both benefit."
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