SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Biodiversity

Guy Saillard noting
that parasites slowed down
the board walk.
Photo Odyssée du Vent
(avril 2000).

Nature is incredibly varied. These goose barnacles attach themselves under the sailboard to take advantage of the micro-organism laden waters beneath the boat. The problem is that they slow down the board and Raphaëla has to dive under to clean it. This brings potential unpleasant encounters, for even if sharks are one of the highly threatened species in the ocean world, they are still a cause for concern.

Some species disappear

Photo : UN

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are rich in varied species. Among them are several types of sea turtles. The coast of Orissa, an eastern state of India, is the largest nesting site in the world of Olive Ridley turtles, an endangered sea turtle. Researchers have attached a black box to the shells of a few in order to study their migration over thousands of kilometers and to determine their place in the food chain. This knowledge will help provide better protection for one of the world’s oldest species. This program and some others are conducted by the UNDP and the UNEP (United Nations Development and Environment Programs).

A 2002 survey (published in Science) has identified the ten most threatened coral reefs where many endemic species live (scientists call plants and creatures limited to specific areas “endemic”). Human influence and over fishing is leading to their extinction. Ten may seem like a small number and make us wonder if it’s worth our attention. But these 10 represent 25% of the coral reefs in the world. Although they represent less than 1% of ocean’s surface, they are home to 35% of all endemic species. Among these ten areas are the eastern coast of South Africa, the northern Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In these areas, located between deep seas and coastal systems, we are trying to understand the complexity of biodiversity: the link between species and their habitats. To destroy these habitats is to kill their species.

Definitions and figures

Biodiversity refers to the variation among living organisms of all types (including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems) and the ecological systems of which they are part. This includes diversity within species (genetic diversity), between species as well as that of ecosystems.
How many species live on this planet?

Source : UNEP-WCMC, 2000

As you can see, unknown species number in the millions and this is particularly true among insects. There is still a lot to discover and learn in our world.

Threats to biodiversity

Putting statistics and numbers aside, everyone realizes the huge importance of biodiversity to humanity and human ways of life. Causes of threats are multiple:
- modification, fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats, critical for endemic species but also critical for some large vertebrates or mammals;
- over exploitation of resources and over fishing;
- artificial biological invasions due to human transportation that have an enormous impact on fragile areas, especially islands (numerous in the Indian Ocean);
- climate change that modifies the distribution of living zones and widens already-existing imbalances.

The impact of the relationship between biodiversity and society is obvious, and can be seen from the value we derive from nature and its diversity. Biodiversity has an ecological value (we are one species among many and dependent on the others), a cultural value, and an economic value. From recent estimates, total services provided by ecosystems are worth more than $1.6 trillion a year (just think about pollination, soil production, waste decomposition), and even a commercial-legal value (i.e., genetically modified organisms – whatever the controversy).

By taking care of biodiversity, we protect and prolong humanity. Our self-interest is inextricably intertwined with healthy biodiversity.

More on the following sites :

On turtles, threatened species, particularly in the Indian Ocean,
http://www.un.org/french/works/environment/animalplanet/turtle.html .

A complete report from Global Environment Outlook n°3 (UNEP, United Nations Environment Program),
http://www.unep.org/geo/geo3/english/219.htm .

With the French Institute of Biodiversity
http://ezpub.cirad.fr/index.php/ifb-en/accueil