Human Impact "Under the Sea"

     It is easy for us to see the various ways in which humans are harming ecosystems on land; after all, we are land-dwelling people. But what about aquatic ecosystems? Surely we aren't harming them too...Unfortunately, humans affect water environments just as much as land environments, but it is hard for us to tell considering we spend the majority of our lives on solid ground.
     The oceans, lakes, ponds, and rivers are being harmed in several ways. The most obvious way is pollution. Factories, pesticides and herbicides from fields, and acid mine drainage cause toxic chemicals to leak into these bodies of water, killing off both plant and animal life. Once again, this affects all the links of nature, for wild animals drink from these water sources and eat aquatic organisms- we also use water for several purposes, which means we are potentially harming ourselves as well. Organizations like the Ocean Conservancy emphasize the importance of aquatic ecosystems to ourselves and to the world. Pollution also comes in the form of littering- trash of all shapes and sizes will manage to find its way into streams and oceans. Bottles, cans, and plastic bottle rings will attract marine life, and their curiosity may cause them to choke or suffocate on this carelessly dumped garbage. Who knew that the bottle you may have just thrown out the window could work its way into a river or ocean and kill a magnificent aquatic organism? All of our actions really to have an impact on the environment.

     Another way humans are harming water ecosystems is by poaching and overfishing. Sometimes we have the mindset that there is an endless source of fish, lobster, crab, and other seafood living in the ocean. I have seen several shows, such as Wild Justice, where wildlife patrol officers are fighting to stop people from hunting for these organisms when they aren't in season. Lobsters in particular, are taking a huge blow from overfishing. People crave the money that lobsters will bring in to the point where they are willing to hunt them out of season. The biggest problem with hunting any form of wildlife out of season is that this leaves no time for the animals to reproduce and therefore increase their population numbers.
     So, not only are aquatic plants and animals being indirectly affected by pollution in the form of chemicals, oil, and litter, but they are also being directly harmed by overfishing and poaching. The world is covered by more water than it is land. This means that bodies of water, especially oceans, are holding even more organisms than land is. Our efforts to protect aquatic environments should be just as strong, if not stronger, as land environments.
     There are several ways you can help protect and preserve the precious aquatic gems of this earth. Take a trip to an aquarium with some friends to see these amazing creatures up close and learn more about conservation efforts to protect them. Two of my personal favorites include the Virginia Aquarium and the Baltimore Aquarium. If you would like to know more about Ocean Conservation, I would check out the Ocean Conservancy website and the World Wildlife Fund. Don't forget that the World Wildlife Fund gives you the opportunity to "adopt" endangered species by donating money to help protect that animal- they don't exclude marine animals! With educated knowledge about human impact on aquatic ecosystems, passion, and a willingness to reach out and make a difference, we can ensure that we will always have oceans, lakes, rivers, and ponds to enjoy.

Peace. Love. Save the Tigers.

Conservation Spotlight: The Galapagos Islands

 Happy Earth Day!!!
    
     So far we have discussed several ways in which the environment and the animals living in it are being harmed by human impact. However, we have not yet focused on a specific location that is being threatened by humans. Being that I will be traveling there very shortly, I decided to focus on the Galapagos Islands. These Islands are not only known for helping Darwin develop his theory of natural selection (the mechanism for evolution), but they are also an exemplary model of how humans can destroy natural ecosystems.
     The Galapagos Islands are found off of the coast of South America, and each Island offers a diverse range of ecosystems and organisms. One Island can be like a desert and the next like a jungle; animals such as the Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and Darwin's finches can only be found on the Islands- nowhere else in the world! The diversity of these Islands is what sets them apart from any other area in the world; unfortunately, even these Islands have been exposed to human interaction (and not for the better).
     You may be wondering how humans could possibly threaten a group of Islands out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean...Well, we can trace the human impact on the Islands since around the 1500s, when whalers and buccaneers would stop on the Islands to restock on food and resources. One of these food sources was the Galapagos tortoises, so even during the 1500s these tortoises were being threatened by humans. Another problem early explorers brought with them to the Islands were invasive species. Recall that invasive species are those organisms that have been introduced to an area they normally don't inhabit; with no natural predators, these animals soar to the top of the food chain and cause ecological harm to the animals and plants around them. People who once tried to inhabit the Galapagos Islands brought with them goats, donkeys, and pigs. To this day, these invasive species still roam the Islands and pose a major problem to the native species and natural ecosystems. Whalers also brought black rats and insects with them on their ships, causing an even bigger invasive species problem. These invasive species, like the wild pigs, will actually eat marine iguana and Galapagos tortoise eggs, as well as plants that contribute to the diversity of the Islands. These are the main reasons invasive species are so dangerous.

     Currently, tourists are causing harm to the Islands by bringing other invasive species to the Islands on their clothes, shoes, and foods they bring to the Islands. Despite strict rules that have been set in place, tourism is still a huge threat to the Islands because the natural and sensitive ecosystems are being exposed to more and more humans. Poaching in and around the Islands is yet another problem, especially since the unique animals are the ones being poached.
     It may be hard to understand why it should be of any concern to us to worry about the protection of these Islands. After all, they aren't located anywhere near us, so why should we care? Well, in my personal opinion, these Islands are such a perfect representation of natural, untouched beauty; they don't deserve to be destroyed by careless human hands. If you want to take part in helping to preserve these Islands, several great websites, such as the first link above, provide countless sources of information about the Islands. Once again I must refer to the World Wildlife Fund's website, which not only gives information about the Islands but also offers the opportunity to "adopt" animals that are unique to the Galapagos. What an awesome way to show your support for conservation and the Galapagos Islands! Keep that in mind as Earth Day comes to an end and reminds us of the importance of saving the tigers, the trees, and the earth.     
    

Save the Elephants Too!

As you well know by now, the title of my blog does not just support the conservation of tigers, but all endangered species. Therefore, I decided to focus this blog on elephant conservation, especially since I just talked about overexploitation, which is currently threatening these magnificent creatures.
     Back in the fall, I received my October edition of the National Geographic magazine- what I read on the cover of this magazine stopped me in tracks and completely shocked me: "25,000 elephants were killed last year." As I opened to the article about this situation, I was horrified by the pictures of slaughtered elephants and piles of tusks that littered the pages of the magazine.To be honest, I was under the impression that elephant populations were not being severely threatened; I knew that they were hunted for their tusks, but I thought that was all under control... It turns out that elephant poaching is still a pressing issue to this day. In fact, Bryan Christy, the author of the article "Ivory Worship" for the National Geographic magazine, informs readers that "elephant poaching levels are currently at their worst in a decade," and that "seizures of illegal ivory are at their highest level in years" (38). So elephant poaching is not at all an issue of the past. It is current, it is happening now, and it needs to stop.
     You may be wondering why people are hunting elephants to the brink of extinction. Poachers want one thing and one thing only: the ivory tusks. These tusks are used to make religious objects, particularly in places like the Philippines (Christy 38). A priest interviewed by Christy claimed that ivory was the "material of choice" to make religious objects out of (Christy 39). Coming from our culture, it may be difficult to understand why some Filipinos believe their religious objects must be made out of ivory. After all, I myself am a Catholic just like the people wanting ivory religious objects, but I do not think that religious objects must be made out of ivory in order to be sacred. It is tough to change one's cultural beliefs, but I believe that if they came to understand how immensely the elephants are being harmed by poachers, perhaps they would be moved to choose an alternative material.

     It is important to remember that ivory is not only desired for religious objects but also for a more direct reason: money. Think about it. If ivory is in such high demand to make and sell carvings, imagine how much money one could make if he got his hands on a few pounds of ivory tusks. This motive however, does not justify the killing of thousands of elephants. The "Ivory Worship" article goes on to state that during the 1980s, an estimated 600,000 elephants were killed in Africa, which is believed to be about half of the elephants that populated Africa (Christy 46). That's absolutely shocking.
     What's worse is that many people are so driven by the money ivory brings in that they don't even care about the fact that elephant populations are being destroyed. Christy reveals that "in 1997 Zimbabwe's president declared that elephants must pay for their room and board with their ivory" (55). Once again I must emphasize that humans are the cause of this issue- we are under the impression that because we have the ability to kill off species and tear down forests and build homes wherever we want and pollute the earth, we can and we should. The elephants deserve to live on this earth just as much as we do, and they are an integral link in the chain of nature. Because we have so many abilities as humans, it is our job to protect the voiceless; we should never take our responsibilities and our abilities for granted.
     So now that you know just a fraction of what is happening with elephant poaching, you can read more about it and spread the word to others. I have several friends who dub the elephant as their favorite animal, so I'm sure you do as well. This means that people will be driven to help preserve these beautiful animals that they adore so much; but they cannot do so without being educated on the issue. The next step is to donate (unless of course you go to college and major in conservation or ecology or biology to go out into the field and help protect elephants directly- that's awesome too!), but it is important to give to a reliable foundation. I personally recommend the International Elephant Foundation or the World Wildlife Fund. I understand that it is frustrating to feel like donating is the only thing you can ever do, but it really does help. The World Wildlife Fund uses the majority of their proceeds for research and conservation work out in the field. Your donation does make a difference. Furthermore, you can even "adopt an elephant" through the WWF, which means that this foundation will reward you with a stuffed animal and picture of the animal you adopt, so you get a gift in return for giving! Never feel like there is nothing you can do in such pressing situations like this. Each of us has the potential to protect elephants, be it directly by doing conservation work or indirectly with donations and spreading the word; every effort counts.

Peace. Love. Save the Tigers (and the elephants too).


Reference:

Christy, Bryan. “Ivory Worship.” National Geographic Oct. 2012: 28-61. Print.

 
    

O is for Overexploitation

     Take a moment and look around at the room you are sitting in as you read this post. If you are in a kitchen, you may notice wooden cabinets, various types of food, and cooking utensils. In a bedroom you may have a wooden desk, bedding, books, and pictures. Regardless of where you are, everything you are surrounded by required environmental resources (plants, animals, rocks, minerals, etc.) to make it. That's the beauty of nature- it provides us with so many different necessities and luxuries that we need to live and thrive. It is important to remember that as we take from the environment, we must give back so that there is a balance between giving and taking. Unfortunately, we are currently taking more from the environment and not equally giving back what we take. This problem is called overexploitation, and the National Wildlife Federation defines it as "the over use of wildlife and plant species by people for food, clothing, pets, medicine, sport and many other purposes. " 
     Although it is a current issue in today's world, overexploitation is not new. Evidence of this has spanned all of history. Take, for example, the American Bison that once roamed the West in huge numbers. The American Bison Society shows a timeline of how the populations of these animals drastically declined once settlers began moving West. Before the 1700s, roughly 25 to 30 million bison roamed the plains; by 1889, a survey counted only 1,091 bison in North America. Why? Settlers were killing off these animals for their hides...aka money was the driving force behind the entire situation. Since then, not much has changed. Of course I have to bring up the currently declining tiger populations, for not only are they falling victim to habitat loss but they are also being killed for their pelts. Other animals killed for certain body parts, for sport, or for food include but are in no way limited to rhinos, elephants, fish, seafood, whales, cheetahs, and so forth. We cannot leave plants out of the picture either. Several types are excessively harvested for medicinal purposes, for food, and for lumber. They too form links in nature, and we must work to preserve and protect all elements of the environment.
     Not convincing enough? Allow me to quote Rachel Carson once again, because she knows what she is talking about when it comes to human impact on the environment (and she's awesome). The following quote of hers emphasizes the need for humans to cautiously exploit resources from the environment: "The earth's vegetation is part of a web of life in which there are intimate and essential relations between plants and the earth, between plants and other plants, between plants and animals. Sometimes we have no choice but to disturb these relationships, but we should do so thoughtfully, with full awareness that what we do may have consequences remote in time and place" (Carson 64). There you have it- it isn't bad to use the resources nature provides, but we must be careful about how much we are taking and why we are taking it. Animals shouldn't be killed off and wasted just because someone wants their tusks for money. Furthermore, we must in some way replace what we took; trees that were cut down should be replaced with another tree, and fish that were harvested for food should be replaced with more fish.

     So the big question is, how can we stop overexploitation of resources? I know I say this every time, but is SO important. Educate yourself and raise awareness.  Those are two powerful things that each of us have the potential to do, and it does make a difference. In the case of overexploitation, I also encourage you to be careful about what you are buying. Some decorations may be made with ivory, which is obtained from elephant tusks, and say no to any type of animal furs, especially those made with the fur of exotic animals. In order to become more understanding and passionate about this issue, check out the new show on Animal Planet called "Battleground: Rhino Wars." The link takes you to the page for this show and displays an extremely touching, shocking, and emotional video about the effort to save these rhinos. "Whale Wars" is another good show to watch on Animal Planet, giving you an upfront view of those fighting to stop whale poaching out at sea. I hope that these two shows and additional research will spark you with motivation to get out and fight for those species being harmed by overexploitation. Remember, these plants and animals cannot protect themselves from humans trying to harvest them for resources. Only we can give back to the environment we are taking from. So, let's start the trend of giving back to environment and save the tigers, the trees, and the earth.

Reference: Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1962. Print.
     

P is for Population Growth

     7 billion. Does this number ring any bells? It is actually an estimate of the number of people that are currently living on Earth. While humans have had no trouble making room for the constantly growing population, the Earth is having a difficult time making room for us. You see, it may seem easy to simply knock down an entire forest to build a new neighborhood. More people will have homes to live in, right? Yes, but with more homes for people, there are less homes for plants and animals...This brings us to the next part of the HIPPO acronym: Population Growth. 

     Population growth is a pretty straightforward form of human impact, but the implications are often overlooked for the sake of efficiency, time, and money. It refers to the growing number of people in the world and how this increase in the population is affecting several species of animals that are being forced out of their natural habitats if they are not killed in the process. As I hinted at earlier, the biggest problem with population growth is the fact that we are taking away natural habitats by destroying forests so that homes can be built and resources can be sucked up by the human population. The worst part is that the animals being are forced out of their habitats into a whole new world that does not have the food and the proper environment they need to thrive. 
     I'm sure we have all heard of at least one case where someone came home to a bear eating the seeds out of their birdfeeder, or a raccoon was seen rummaging through a garbage can. Unfortunately, these "intruders" are given a bad repuation, and if they cannot be relocated, they are usually killed for being a threat to the community. My question is, who is really the intruder? The animals and plants were there first, so why should they suffer at our hands? 
     It is important to keep in mind that population growth is affecting habitats everywhere, from the rain forests of the tigers in Asia to the woods of black bears in California to the very raccoon that was in your garbage last night. Animals all over the world are being forced to respond to destructive changes in their environment. By tearing down an entire forest, countless species are losing their home, food sources, and fellow members of the species. This is why so many wild animals are finding themselves in the middle of a city searching through garbage bins: they have nowhere else to go.
     I think it would be helpful to take a look at National Geographic's Animal Conservation page. Just in case I haven't mentioned this before, we are responsible for the threats each of these endangered or threatened species are facing. I encourage you to explore the types of animals National Geographic presents on this page- pick a favorite, and read more about that animal to see how you can protect the animal from human impact. You will be surprised as to how many are endangered to to situations that involve population growth. 
     I always feel that it is important I provide some tips on how you can help to prevent the harmful effects that come with human population growth. While it is impossible for us to slow down the population growth (as in I am not telling you to go around and discourage people from having children!), there are some things we can do to prevent animals from being harmed by our actions.
     First of all, if a forested area has already been used for building homes or extracting resources, there is not much that can be done as far as re-creating the forest goes. However, you can facilitate the adaptation of native species to this change in the environment. For example, building a birdhouse and/or birdfeeder is a great way to not only attract beautiful birds but also provide them with a safe habitat. This will prevent them from leaving the area or trying to find food that is not a part of their diet (like garbage).
     Another idea to ease the effects of human growth population is to write a letter to local politicians addressing your concerns for local areas that may be at risk for deforestation. Be sure to tell them why you are concerned and why they should care, as well as how the community will benefit from protecting natural habitats.
     As humans, we tend to eat and drink a lot, and one could tell this by looking at the side of road and seeing all of the garbage piled up. Host a community cleanup for roadsides that a littered with, well, litter. This will keep wild animals from hurting themselves in an attempt to eat trash and will also help them to remain in their native environments (no easy food to get from humans means there is less of a reason for the animals to roam throughout towns and backyards). Also remember not to leave trash cans and other sources of food out in the open near your house so that wild animals, such as the bear, are not tempted to make routine trips to your yard.
     Last, but certainly not least, educate friends and family about the dangers human growth population poses on the environment. You never know whose mind you will change or who you can impact by simply telling them about what humans do that harm the world we live on. Most people just do not know how big of an impact we are making on the environment. Go out and educate!

Peace. Love. Save the Tigers.
    
  
      

P is for Pollution

“Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world. ”
                                       -Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

Hello friends!
     Pollution. What comes to mind when you hear this word? A stream infested with multi-colored oils? Thick, gray smoke fuming up into the air? Garbage leaking into oceans and other bodies of waters? If you pictured any of these horrible sights, then you are on the right track! Pollution stands for the third letter of the HIPPO acronym, and it is probably the most well-known form of environmental harm. Don't know that much about it? No worries! You are reading the right blog.
     So let's start with the basics. Pollution can come in several different forms, including water, air, and soil pollution. Each form can be traced back to a different source. For example, water pollution is usually caused by pesticides and/or herbicides running off of farmlands and into streams or by factory wastes that are dumped into nearby bodies of water. Air pollution, on the other hand, results from toxic fumes released from industrial factories or the burning of compounds, such as plastics, that release dangerous compounds into the air.     
     I think at this point in the game we shouldn't be surprised that humans are once again the cause of this environmental problem. Even though it's great that we have advanced in society and developed easier ways to create things, we have failed to pay attention to the after effects of our actions. The pollution that is caused by our actions not only invades the air and water but also harms all wildlife. I emphasize all wildlife because even animals that are not being directly exposed to the pollution will still be harmed. Take, for example, a bear that eats a fish. If the fish was exposed to polluted waters, and the bear eats the fish, it will then be exposed to the same toxins that the fish encountered. The same scenario holds true for plants that are sprayed with pesticides. If an animal eats insects that eat those plants, what does this mean for the animal? Oh, and don't forget to include us in this equation as well (after all, we eat plants and animals too...).
     I would like to take this opportunity to refer back to a role model of mine: Rachel Carson. She is the author of the book Silent Spring, written in the 1960s in an effort to prevent the use of DDT, a pesticide, in the United States. Carson saw how this pesticide was leaking into streams and bodies of water, and she noticed that the bird populations in the area were actually disappearing due to what she believed was the pollution of DDT. Silent Spring was extremely influential, and it caused an uproar that inspired people to start worrying about their impact on the environment. However, this doesn't mean that Rachel Carson was praised by everyone. She experienced a lot of ridicule from critics as well. Clearly her passion for the environment led to change, for John F. Kennedy was impacted by the book enough to actually ban DDT in the United States. It's amazing how one voice can bring about such big changes.
     To wrap things up, I'd like to share a quote said by Rachel Carson in Silent Spring about the pesticide. I really feel like it can relate to any type of pollution, and I find to be very powerful:
      “As crude a weapon as the cave man's club, the chemical barrage has been hurled against the fabric of life - a fabric on the one hand delicate and destructible, on the other miraculously tough and resilient, and capable of striking back in unexpected ways. These extraordinary capacities of life have been ignored by the practitioners of chemical control who have brought to their task no "high-minded orientation," no humility before the vast forces with which they tamper.” 
     You see, my friends, we have the potential to harm our earth, but we have the equal potential to save it. The problem with society is that we are constantly looking for the easiest, efficient way to get things done. Factories want the quickest means to generate their product- but they don't want to deal with the clean up afterwards. Yes, it is easier to let toxic waste flow out into a pond instead of bothering to invent a creative way to safely dispose of it. But the overall effects of this action will be much more detrimental in the long run despite the efficiency of polluting. We are talking the destruction of unique species, and the entire habitat that they live in. 
     Together we can prevent pollution by raising awareness and being cautious about our actions and the products we buy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides some great tips on reducing our personal effects on the environment when it comes to pollution. I know, I know, I'm becoming repetitive when I say that you have the power to make a difference and impact how we are all treating the environment. But it's true. If we continue to spread the word and lead by action, we can preserve our earth and protect each link in the chain of nature.

Peace. Love. Save the Tigers.

    

I is for Invasive Species

"The estimated damage from invasive species worldwide totals more than $1.4 trillion."
                                    -nature.org

My fellow bionerds,
       It is now time to discuss the second part of the HIPPO acronym: invasive species. What is an invasive species you may ask? To give a brief, simplified defintion, an invasive species is an animal that has been introduced to an area that it normally does not reside in. Humans, of course, are responsible for moving these animals out of their natural habitat and into a completely new one. Now, one may think that these invasive species would suffer if they were re-located to a new area, but they are called "invasive" for a reason. What usually happens is that the animal is brought into a habitat where it has no natural predators; from here the invasive species will work it's way up the food chain, killing off native species on its radar. Before you know it, this introduced species is the king of the jungle.
     I think it's interesting to point out that often times species are introduced to a new area by accident. Take, for example, the fire ants that roam the Galapagos Islands. These ants and several other insects (check out the link in the previous sentence) did not get to the Galapagos Islands on their own. Human trade, ranging from the transport of timber, food, and other products, has allowed for the insects to hitch a ride to the Islands. Now they are taking over and destroying the senstive ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.
     Other times, invasive species are actually brought to an area on purpose. Yes, people will intentionally bring these species into an area to combat a pest or benefit the environment in some way. Unfortunately, if those who are introducing the species are not well educated on how the animal will interact with the environment, problems will arise. Take a look at this youtube video on the asian carp. The asian carp was brought over to the U.S. in order to eat a type of algae in lakes that was in overabundance (algae in excess is actually a sign of unhealthy bodies of water). All is good and well when these carp take care of the algae, but of course a problem has arised...the asian carp has no natural predators in the waters it has been introduced to. No natural predators means more asian carp, which means the prey the carp feed upon are killed off in large quantities. This could possibly destroy the entire ecosystem; recall that if one link in nature is removed, everything else falls apart. Hopefully ecologists will be able to devise a plan better than asian carp fishing competitions and electrical barriers at the entrances of lakes (the carp just jump right over the barriers) in the near future.
     Ah yes, so now comes the important question. "What can I do to help?" This is a tricky one to help out with, but there are definitely ways to contribute to preventing this environmental problem. First of all, educate yourself on the wide array of invasive species. I can almost guarantee there are several species in your area that are considered invasive (keep in mind that many plants are invasive species as well!). The more you know about what ecologists are trying to minimize as far as invasive species go, the more cautious you can be about what you are planting in your yard or what insects/animals  you need to be on the lookout for. Now don't just take matters into your own hands and set plants on fire or drench your yard in pesticides or shoot animals that you think are invasive. That may cause more harm than help; it takes an expert to know what is safe to kill or relocate as well as how the environment can be restored. If you find yourself in a situation where invasive species are in your yard or nearby, contact a local nature park or wildlife center to seek expert help. Several websites, such as the Nature Conservancy, can provide you with even more ideas on what you can do to stop the spread of invasive species.
     I feel as though invasive species are one of the least understood and acknowledged parts of HIPPO. I encourage you to brush up on your knowledge about them so that we can work together to protect our marvelous ecosystems and the native plants and animals that inhabit them. Remember, you don't have to be an expert biologist or mad scientist to save the world; we all play a role in protecting the earth from human impact! 

           Peace. Love. Save the Tigers.