Threats to Conservation
Conservation in general, has many feats that must be overcome to work successfully. Not only must there be proper environmental conditions for the reintroduction of decimated species but also the human influence that may have sent them in the direction of extinction in the first place must be mitigated:
- Controlling the grazing of domestic animals away from threatened plant and animal species (human disturbance)
- Controlling the growth and colonization of invasive plants (eg. grasses) and animals (eg. rats and other introduced species)
- Fire mitigation (coupled with watershed conservation)
- Proper protection and enforcement by governments of environmental protections (coupled with a lack of greed or corruption)
- Deforestation and proper management of natural resources (logging and mining- easy money, vs. conservation for jobs, tourism and to retain much needed ecosystem services for the people)
Geographical Threats:
Area and Isolation effects the biodiversity of islands. According to the theory of Island Biogeography, the species richness of an island ecosystem is dependent on its distance from another land mass and most importantly the island's area, the more isolated and smaller an island, the greater likelihood of extinction. In Fiji, because there are a number of Islands relatively close, the geographical circumstances are not as dire as a place like the Hawaiian Islands but because of the fact that it is an island and is relatively isolated the biodiversity of the island is exceptionally delicate.
Area and Isolation effects the biodiversity of islands. According to the theory of Island Biogeography, the species richness of an island ecosystem is dependent on its distance from another land mass and most importantly the island's area, the more isolated and smaller an island, the greater likelihood of extinction. In Fiji, because there are a number of Islands relatively close, the geographical circumstances are not as dire as a place like the Hawaiian Islands but because of the fact that it is an island and is relatively isolated the biodiversity of the island is exceptionally delicate.
Environmental Threats:
Climate Change above all is an issue that will be inevitably influencing the future functions of Fiji's ecosystems. Both by the eustatic increase in sea-level, by ice melt and thermal expansion, as well as increased severity of storm systems relative to a heating world and of course fires in periods of elongated drought.
Fire is another threat that because of the evolution in isolation is particularly severe. Considering none of the plants or animals on the island are adapted to fire, fire ravages tropical forests in general and allows room for more invasive species to colonize.
Climate Change above all is an issue that will be inevitably influencing the future functions of Fiji's ecosystems. Both by the eustatic increase in sea-level, by ice melt and thermal expansion, as well as increased severity of storm systems relative to a heating world and of course fires in periods of elongated drought.
Fire is another threat that because of the evolution in isolation is particularly severe. Considering none of the plants or animals on the island are adapted to fire, fire ravages tropical forests in general and allows room for more invasive species to colonize.
Human Threats:
Human Interference has been decimating the fragile habitats of Fiji since the arrival of the first humans to the islands. We see with the example of the extinction of the Dodo bird how plants and animal species on island are especially vulnerable to human disturbance. By having no defenses, all the way down to loosing its flight, due to its evolution in isolation it was destined to extinction from the time of human contact.
In more modern times since neo-liberal globalization the easy money provided by naturally derived resources such as timber, water, and fish has given a perverse incentive (especially to developing countries) to take from the land until there is no more creating limited prospects for the future of Fijian populations. Also, given this system of easy money government corruption is highly likely.
Human Interference has been decimating the fragile habitats of Fiji since the arrival of the first humans to the islands. We see with the example of the extinction of the Dodo bird how plants and animal species on island are especially vulnerable to human disturbance. By having no defenses, all the way down to loosing its flight, due to its evolution in isolation it was destined to extinction from the time of human contact.
In more modern times since neo-liberal globalization the easy money provided by naturally derived resources such as timber, water, and fish has given a perverse incentive (especially to developing countries) to take from the land until there is no more creating limited prospects for the future of Fijian populations. Also, given this system of easy money government corruption is highly likely.
Conclusion:
Threats like these that impact the prospects of Fiji's future, make it even more imperative to conserve now for the survival of future populations and habitats in Fiji. Now that we know many of the major threats to biodiversity and how biodiversity plays into the lives of humans trying to survive on the Fijian islands, we can try to use conservation and sustainable development in a way that will benefit Fijians now as well as into the future. Conservation efforts and sustainable development go hand-in-hand and because Fiji is not a wealthy country, and it largely relies on natural resources for the survival of the population they need to use their resources sustainably for the benefit and viability of future generations. Fortunately many organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and more and more local institutions are working to establish conservation efforts that will not only benefit the people and the environment but also the economy of Fiji, the viability of resources, local awareness, understanding and participation in the conservation effort. Conservation acts as an umbrella cause because in dealing with and managing a whole functioning ecosystem we can also address human problems that might exacerbate environmental degradation. For example, with the establishment of a multitude of Marine Protected Areas, while limiting the availability of fish in certain areas also allows for populations to flourish other places rejuvenating the fish stock for people who rely on them as a source of protein while also curbing the potential for over-fishing.
The future of conservation
- EDUCATION: about the benefits of biodiversity and sustainable development especially in fragile island ecosystems, to get people to want to conserve for future generations.
- LOCAL PARTICIPATION: creating a local awareness and enthusiasm for conservation projects, for the people and by the people.
- ECONOMIC BENEFIT: a tangible product of conservation efforts that can be put back into the community, whether its the monetary benefit of tourism or the effect of conservation revitalizing much needed natural resources like fish stocks or fresh water.
- ORGANIZATION OF LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROTECTIONS: to manage and control misconduct both locally and internationally.