Biodiversity

The dependency of man’s existence on animal

and vegetable life forms

Text and photos by Ernesto Francini

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) with a prey.

Abstract

Biodiversity is acknowledged as a complex inter-relationship and delicate equilibrium of living species developed over millions of years of the evolutionary process; each dependent on the well being of the other.

The interaction between animal and vegetable matter has proven to provide a stabilized environment so long as the importance of biodiversity is recognized by all and in particular

by law – makers the world over.

In addition to recognizing the criticality of biodiversity, the law-makers must also make concerted and sustained efforts to reduce the levels of deterioration and depletion of earth’s valuable resources for the Man’s continued existence and well-being.

Biodiversity is not a simple case of establishing a count of the living species which abound in our environment but acknowledging the complex set of inter-relationships that has evolved over millions of years of the evolutionary process, thereby creating a dynamic and delicate equilibrium and co-existence of the species.

However, the prolific explosion of the animal species as a result of the demise and ultimate extinction

of their predators gave rise to the spread of disease and pestilence which up until that moment had been checked and controlled by predators feeding on diseased or sick animals.

The elimination of such a single species can therefore prove to be both detrimental as well as upsetting the delicate equilibrium.

As a further practical example of checking and controlling disease; mosquitoes, however insignificant they may appear to be have also their part to play such that they too co-exist with other animal species and as such sustain the delicate equilibrium.

For example, the mosquito larvae provide nourishment to many aquatic animals as well as purifying

the water of organic matter and harmful bacteria; the adult mosquitoes in turn providing a source

of nourishment for birds.

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) with fish.

Other examples of species which maintain the environmental equilibrium are the

non-predatory animals such as the herbivores which consume a ‘selection-specific’ range of vegetables as a staple food base.

For example the larger mammals such as elephants consume a range of berries, leaves, sprigs and buds; while the giraffes have a preference for the top branches of the acacia trees thus obviating the need to forage for food at ground level.

Other mammals such as the rhinos, hippos and buffaloes consume leaves and hardy grasses, leaving the tender to the zebras and gnus, then they trampling on the grass preparing it for the gazelles.

Finally the warthog eat tubers and roots that find digging in the ground with the fangs.

Operating this food selection herbivores contrast the expansion of specific vegetable

typologies in comparison to others and they maintain a natural biological equilibrium on the territory.

Similarly, vegetable matter also contributes to the overall survival of other species by climate stabilisation and by the production of oxygen via photosynthesis.

These few examples clearly demonstrate the complex inter-relationship between all living species whether of animal or vegetable origin which guarantees a biological equilibrium and hence the overall well-being of Man.

As a result of the evolutionary process therefore, biodiversity has produced a multitude of species,

each of them playing their own part in the natural selection mechanism.

Roe deer female (Capreolus capreolus) .

Biodiversity can be considered to be life’s insurance policy being underwritten by the planet Earth.

Without biodiversity, life can be considered not to exist at all and represents a universal partnership whose stubborn preservation and guardianship must be pursued unrelentlessly.

However, the unrelentless reaping, degradation and misappropriation of valuable resources from planet earth by Man over many decades, if not through the centuries, has and is causing untold and irreparable harm and damage to the delicate and dynamic eco-system through well-known examples such as deforestation, destruction of barrier reefs, dump zones reclaim.

In parallel with this, the extinction of many valuable species severely impacts this delicate equilibrium and consequently increases the risk of further disease.

As a present day example, the appearance of ‘Avian Bird Flu’ on the global stage through the transmission of the H5N1 virus cannot be adequately contained and defeated without the maintenance of the biodiversity of our natural living systems.

Hawk that has shoot down a hooded crow

(Corvus corone cornix).

In an effort to maintain and raise the profile of biodiversity all round and especially with respect to Man’s continued existence and well being on this planet, there is a fundamental onus of responsibility for politicians and governments the world over to understand the critical importance of biodiversity.

This can only be achieved by those responsible officers of governments to draft and implement legislation into their statutes.

One specific example of how this could be done is reform of Article 9 of the Italian constitution,

which will implement legislation concerning the environment and in particular safeguarding the requirements of biodiversity.

This is particularly welcome since Italy, and in particular its geographical position, represents a natural path and critical transit zone for a variety of migratory animals between two important continents: Europe and Africa.

Interestingly, if only all animal and vegetable matter too had voices, they too would recognise Man’s existence as part of the same delicate and biological equilibrium and raise similar concerns.

Italian stork (Ciconia ciconia) in migration toward Africa.