The majority of people have heard the word conservation before, however, there are some who are not certain what the meaning of this word is as it is often used in many contexts. Conservation can be defined as the protection, preservation, management and restoration of wildlife and natural resources (Business and Biodiversity Resource Centre, Conservation of Biodiversity). The word terrestrial, though it seems complicated, is simply used to describe any species which is land dwelling, hence the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity entails the conservation of those species which live on land.
Jack Spaniards, despite their sting are indicators of a healthy ecosystem
Our terrestrial biodiversity has a significant role in the ecosystem. While most people are aware of the fact that forests act as carbon sinks since trees require carbon dioxide in order to produce oxygen, the animal species also play a significant role as every organism, regardless of their size or population, has a niche to fulfil in the ecosystem in order to maintain its balance and stability. Apart from the fact that Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most biologically diverse nations in the Caribbean region it is not without its fair share of pressures due to anthropogenic factors.
The conservation of terrestrial biodiversity is crucial as it is more than ever facing different challenges as a result of our activity and exploitation of natural resources such as mining, quarrying, deforestation and hunting. In Trinidad and Tobago, hunting has now become a major setback in the conservation of terrestrial wildlife as wildlife hunting, an activity regulated by law, has become increasingly popular with a steady increase in the numbers of animals hunted annually to nearly a 100 percent increase from the timespan between 1999 and 2008 (Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Fourth National Report of Trinidad and Tobago to the Convention on Biological Diversity). The Trinidad Piping-Guan, once abundant across eastern Trinidad was extensively hunted and now it is estimated by experts that there are approximately 200 or less individuals in the wild, now limited to northeastern Trinidad, namely Matura, and the species was declared as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Another example of a threat to our terrestrial biodiversity here in Trinidad and Tobago is urbanisation, mainly via habitat fragmentation which is the process by which a large expanse of habitat is transformed into a number of smaller patches of smaller total area isolated from each other by a matrix of habitats unlike the original (Fahrig(2003), Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams). Habitat fragmentation most commonly occurs in Trinidad and Tobago by the construction of roads/highways. The most concerning example of this is the recent proposal and clearing for the construction of a highway passing through the Aripo Savannas, one of the country's oldest and most diverse natural ecosystems, home to a multitude of endemic species as well as endangered species of both flora and fauna.
On a smaller scale, agriculture also gives rise to biomagnification, which is defined as the process by which a compound such as a pollutant or pesticide increases its concentration in the tissues of organisms as it travels up the food chain (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Biomagnification can most likely occur as a result of the spraying of pesticides and herbicides in agricultural crops, which are eaten by a variety of organisms considered as pests such as lizards, birds and insects.
The ladybird beetle is a natural form of pest control as they feed on aphids and mealybugs.
Industrialisation is also another factor in relation to the threat of loss of our terrestrial biodiversity as it has become widespread across Trinidad and Tobago. Industrialisation entails the establishment of manufacturing and processing factories and buildings, typically proximal to areas where raw materials are present, and in Trinidad and Tobago, this is usually near forested areas. Industrialisation may not only contribute to deforestation, and by extension, habitat loss, due to the harvest of raw materials, but also pollution as many toxic waste products are generated such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. These pollutants may affect organisms by impairing their ability of the body's red blood cells to uptake oxygen, thus causing damage to the heart and brain of many animals (ASPCA(2017), Protect your Pets and Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning).
In conclusion, the fate of our terrestrial biodiversity lies in our hands, and I hope that we can unite as a people to prevent the desolate future that will exist if nothing is done. I hope that this blog post has imparted a bit of knowledge and resonated with you all and I appreciate the time you took to read it.
REFERENCES:
ASPCA, Protect your Pets and Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning(ASPCA, 2017), https://www.aspca.org/news/protecting-your-pets-and-your-family-carbon-monoxide-poisoning#:~:text=CO%20impairs%20the%20oxygen%2Dcarrying,more%20risk%20than%20taller%20animals.
Business and Biodiversity Resource Centre, Conservation of Biodiversity, http://www.businessandbiodiversity.org/the_issues_conserve.html, Accessed 15 October, 2020
Fahrig, Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams(Fahrig, 2003), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128038352000140
Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Fourth National Report of Trinidad and Tobago to the Convention of Biological Diversity(Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 2010), https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/tt/tt-nr-04-en.pdf
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Biomagnification, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biomagnification, Accessed on 15 October, 2020
Very well put together and the information is very much appreciated