Species, Too
Pristine environments contain delicate ecosystems - and undiscovered flora and fauna
David Suzuki
Two ‘lost worlds’ were recently in the news. One was
discovered halfway
around the Earth, while the other is right
here at home.
The first was a never-before-examined patch of tropical rainforest
deep in the heart of New Guinea. It’s likely one of the
most biologically diverse areas on Earth, and it shows how little
we really know about life on this planet.
An international team of scientists recently returned from the
Foja Mountains of New Guinea having discovered 40 extremely rare
mammals, four new butterfly species, a new bird species, 20 new
frog species and many previously unknown plant species.
Scientists have only studied a small percentage of life on Earth,
and researchers estimate that literally millions of species out
there have never been examined. As Oxford entomologist George
McGavin points out: in a tropical rainforest, every second or
third insect you pick up is probably unknown to science.
The other lost world in the news is also a remote and incredibly
diverse rainforest — but this one is in Canada.
British Columbia’s north and central coast, known as the
Great Bear Rainforest, is unique, special and contains creatures
found nowhere else in the world. Most people know about the Kermode
bears that live on this coast. They’re a white version of
the black bear, and they’re found only in this area. Their
differences extend to more than just fur colour: researchers are
finding that they behave differently, too.
Wolves of the Great Bear are also different — smaller, more
agile and specially adapted to forage for the bounty of sea life
found along the shore. Then there are the salmon, which researchers
have found are vital to the health of the forests and many land-dwelling
creatures. Hundreds of unique runs of salmon find their way back
to the Great Bear every year to spawn, their bodies providing
nourishment to the wildlife, the trees and the soil.
The Great Bear Rainforest made international news because the
B.C. government, along with First Nations groups, environmental
groups and the forest industry, have drafted a plan to protect
a portion of it. That’s good news for science, and good
news for the people who depend on the health of this ecosystem
for their livelihoods.
The story is only partially complete, however, as discussions
are still underway as to what kind of logging will take place
in the parts of the Great Bear outside the protected areas. This
is critical because unprotected areas make up more than 70 per
cent of the land and contain the majority of salmon streams and
much of the best wildlife habitat.
Scientists have only just begun to understand this magnificent
region and all the life within it. The recent agreement, if combined
with truly sustainable logging practices outside the protected
areas, could keep this ecosystem functioning, allow economic activities
such as tourism and logging to co-exist, and give scientists a
chance to understand more about Canada’s own lost world.
It’s an opportunity we would be truly foolish to pass up.
Take the Nature Challenge and learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org. |
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