Biodiversity and Man

Preface: Many scientists consider humans as the most invasive species, as humans can greatly change an environment and impact living things that reside there. Are we being stewards of the world? Take a look at an issue in which human intervention has positively or negatively affected the biodiversity of our ecosystems.

Before I examine the question at hand, I would like to recall an item from my childhood which I find to be an appropriate introduction to this topic.

Banjo Kazooie, a waste of time great 3D platformer was released on the N64 in 1998. In this game, you play as Banjo the bear, traversing exotic worlds with your partner, Kazooie the bird. With the help of your feathered friend, you are granted abilities such as flight (yes, you, a BEAR, can FLY with the help of a 5-pound avian; apparently, anything IS possible). In these ways, Kazooie proves to be a complete tool helpful little bugger. Unfortunately, she comes with her downsides as well. This Red-Crested Breegull (the fantastical cousin of the common seagull) has quite the mouth. Kazooie finds it necessary to utter rude and sarcastic remarks to everyone and anything, including Banjo. In turn, the problems you must endure are ultimately brought upon you by Kazooie herself. This begs one to question as to whether the partnership is parasitic (beneficial to one party, harmful to the other) or mutualistic (beneficial to both parties).

Humans and the Earth are in a relationship not so much unlike Kazooie and Banjo; humans, like Kazooie, can be seen as either friend or foe to the world. Humans live in a sort of symbiosis with all things around the world, as our actions usually result in global reaction. However, this symbiotic relationship heavily favours human needs, while occasionally bettering the lives of other organisms. Therefore, whether humans have a negative or positive impact on the global ecosystem is a controversial topic.

To determine whether or not humans are proper stewards, one must analyze both the parasitic and mutualistic relationships humans have with biodiversity.


Biodiversity, an Overview for those who cannot remember

Before discussing the effect of humans on biodiversity, one must define biodiversity.

In its broadest sense, biodiversity simply refers to the vast amount of living organisms within a given area. All species of flora and fauna create the immense mosaic that is an ecosystem's biodiversity.

Biodiversity within an Ecosystem

A more specific definition of biodiversity is the genetic variation found within a species. Genetic variants that result from sexual reproduction create unlimited uniqueness in numerous living organisms. This variety also relates to the survivability of a species.

Biodiversity within a Species a Race an Immediate Family

Man, the Parasite to Biodiversity

A parasite, by definition, is an organism which relies on another in order to exist, function, or survive at the expense of the host. Considering this, one can see how humans behave in a parasitic manner when interacting with the environment and other species.

Humans choose which species are helpful to them and use/abuse them, sometimes to the brink of said species' (direct and indirect) extinction. Over harvesting, which is the act of using or collecting a resource faster than the resource reproduces/develops, is one instance of this.

As an example, consider the current issue with over fishing surrounding the Maritimes. For a good portion of the last decade, attention has been given to the threat of extinction of fish like the cod found in the Atlantic and Pacific waters encasing Canada. A demand for cod that spans five centuries of fishing and harvesting has produced a severe handicap on biodiversity in the species and in the area.

As the population of cod drops, so does the gene pool available for reproduction. Though the loss of genetic material is not uncommon, the rapidity of the decline as a result of over harvesting is far too drastic. Strands and variants that should survive for some generations are being wiped out by the tonne. Due to this, general uniformity may arise and eventually lead to the demise of the entire species, should an environmental shift occur.



Man, the Mutualist with Biodiversity

A mutualist is one party of a partnership in which both sides benefit from association. Knowing this, the first thing that probably comes to mind is domestication.

Since the beginning of time, humans have worked in tandem with animals to achieve tasks beyond the ability of either party alone. Wolves and hunters, cattle and farmers, bees and beekeepers; the list of alliances between man and multiple species goes on and on.

But how exactly do these associations across species benefit the biodiversity of the world?

Humans provide shelter, protection, and food in return for the aid reaped from domesticated animals. Though it may be hard to believe, some species still present today are only living because of human intervention. One example is the Bombyx mori, or the silk moth, which was dubbed useful in ancient China around 3000 BC. At maturity or adulthood, silk moths lose their ability of flight, leaving them incredibly vulnerable to predators. However, because their silk cocoons were found to be luxurious and highly desirable in China, humans chose to adopt the animal. If humans had not domesticated the silk moth for its valuable assets, the species may not have endured through time due to their lack of survival skills during their reproductive age.


Conclusion: Man, the Steward?

From these two standpoints, man can be interpreted as either helpful or harmful. No true conclusion can be drawn from these instances alone, but a general consensus can be discerned.

So far, as stewards, we have failed; this is not surprising as managing something as grand as the whole world is indeed an arduous task. As beings that lay claim to a higher intellect however, we should be embarrassed of our foolhardiness.

Man selfishly works towards his own goals, throwing away what is unnecessary and taking along what is useful as he progresses. Yes, humans can produce, but only at the cost of others. Be it the animals surrounding us or the land we tread, we must take before we can give.

This is not to say that humans should not take; we are, by nature, consumers. However, it is our responsibility to understand how far our well of resources reaches, how far we may dip our hands, and how fast it replenishes itself.

As a final note, I would like for you to take the following statement to heart:

Even a parasite does not kill its host, for to kill one's host is to kill one's self.


Closing: Man, the Symbiote by Choice

"Every man builds his world in his own image. He has the power to choose, but no power to escape the necessity of choice." - Ayn Rand, Philosopher and Author

Or, in layman's terms, the power is YOURS!

Captain Planet references aside, the main concept I would like everyone to contemplate is choice. Man is able to choose to be a parasite; man is able to choose to live in mutuality. It is our ability to choose, to decide, and to differentiate that sets our species above that of any other. And, as Uncle Ben always said they say, with great power comes an even greater responsibility.

That being said, what you choose to do with said power is entirely up to you. Will you continue the trend of poor stewardship? Or will you take up rod and staff for the ecosystem?

You may choose to be ignorant.

You may choose to be indifferent.

You may choose to eat dirt?

You may choose to take action.

But you MUST choose.


- Alfred Chen

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Sources Used:

Canadian Biodiversity: Theory

Defining species: The indirect impact of humans on biodiversity

Catches of Endangered Grand Banks Cod Exceed Target by Over 500 Tonnes in 2008

History of DOMESTICATION OF ANIMALS


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