SR 53(5) 14-19.Pdf

The loss of species due to human actions is regrettable. We need to

TORY realise that EXTINCTION is S FOREVER. OVER C

In 1980 the last 17 red wolves were HE number of species inhabiting the placed in an intense TEarth is mindboggling. About 8.7 recovery programme million (give or take 1.3 million) is the new, estimated total number of species on and the species was Earth – with 6.5 million species on land declared extinct in and 2.2 million in oceans. Announced the wild. by the Census of Marine Life of the University of Rhode Island, the fi gure is phenomena and natural catastrophes Sixth Mega Extinction based on a new analytical technique. were primarily responsible for the Many studies are hypothesizing that the But nature springs its own surprises. extinction of species. But today, the rate of extinction of the species is hundred New species are often being discovered equation seems to be mismatched – the times greater than what it used to be. by naturalists and scientists in their quest major cause of the extinction is primarily Many conservationists claim that the to uncover the wonders of the planet. due to human actions. current trend in the loss of species due to However, human-induced pressures such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, introduction of invasive species, global FIVE MEGA EXTINCTIONS warming and environmental pollution have put many species under great stress, • The Phanerozoic eon (the last 540 million years) marked a rapid pushing a huge number even to the edge growth in biodiversity via the Cambrian explosion—a period during of extinction. which nearly every phylum of mulƟ cellular organisms fi rst appeared. Today’s rate of extinction or loss of species is said to be like the burning of a • The next 400 million years included repeated, massive biodiversity library even before cataloguing the books losses classifi ed as mass exƟ ncƟ on events. that it has. Species extinction takes place naturally too but the species extinction • In the Carboniferous, rainforest collapse led to a great loss of plant currently exceeds the background rates and animal life. by two to four orders of magnitude. • The Permian–Triassic exƟ ncƟ on event, 251 million years ago, was Some say that this amounts to the sixth mega-extinction of life on Earth. In other the worst; vertebrate recovery took 30 million years. words, the world could be facing a global • The most recent, the Cretaceous–TerƟ ary exƟ ncƟ on event, occurred extinction crisis. The Earth has already seen fi ve 65 million years ago, and has oŌ en aƩ racted more aƩ enƟ on than mega-extinctions in the past. However, others because it resulted in the exƟ ncƟ on of the dinosaurs. in the earlier extinction history natural ScienceSi RReporter, MAY 20201616 14 COVER STORY MAYANGLAMBAMAYANGLAMBAM OJITJIT KUMAR SINGH

Habitat loss and exploitation through unsustainable levels of hunting have been the primary cause of the loss of Lemur species population. Excessive demand for rhino visible in its preparation of the Red List horn and other products for Categories and the criteria that were Chinese and allied medicine developed for the fi rst time in 1994 and revised in 2001. There are nine categories: systems is a problem that Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically affects all rhino species. Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Defi cient and Not Evaluated. habitat destruction and overexploitation highlightli ht ththose ththreatened t d withith extinctionti ti of the resources or wildlife by humans is and thus promoting their conservation. It Every species will fall into one of akin to events like natural catastrophes is the most objective and authoritative these categories. Quantitative criteria that wiped out species millions of years listing of species that are globally at risk have been developed for Critically ago. of extinction. Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable and any of the species falling into one of Under a “natural” rate of extinction, At the Conference of Parties of these three categories shall be called as two species go extinct per 10,000 species the Convention on Biological Diversity the threatened species. every 100 years. However, 477 vertebrates in 2004 (COP-7; 9-20 February 2004; have gone extinct since 1900, rather than Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), the members How Many Species are the nine that would be expected at natural called for the development of a Red Threatened? rates. Hence, it is a frightening world that List indicator as one of the indicators Species assessed as Critically Endangered we are living in today and we could be to assess reduction in the current rate (CR), Endangered (EN), or Vulnerable entering an era of human-induced mass of biodiversity extinction at the global, (VU) are referred to as “threatened” extinctions. regional and national level. This global species. Reporting the proportion of species assessment applies the Red threatened species on the IUCN Red List is IUCN Red List: Relevance and List data to calculate a Red List Index. complicated by the fact that not all species Need The Red List Index combines global groups have been fully evaluated, and It has always been diffi cult to measure representativeness with a fi ne ecological also by the fact that some species have so changes in the status of threatened resolution to provide information on little information available that they can species in an objective and scientifi cally changes in relative aggregate extinction only be assessed as Data Defi cient (DD). rigorous way. The International risk across entire taxonomic groups. The Providing information about the Union for Conservation of Nature and IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is one status of biodiversity is a critical fi rst step Natural Resources (IUCN) through attempt to increase the world’s store of in highlighting the severity of the problem the publication of the IUCN Red List of knowledge about biological resources and encouraging the societies and all Threatened Species has been preparing and before they are lost. the stakeholders to begin to assume updating for more than fi ve decades the The rigour and the objectivity of accountability for their actions. Even status of species and other taxa in order to the IUCN Red List are fundamentally though the IUCN Red List may not have 15 Science Reporter, MAY 2016 COVER STORY

NUMBER OF ANIMAL AND PLANT SPECIES IN EACH IUCN RED LIST CATEGORY OF INDIA (Source: IUCN Red List version 2015) Organisms EX EW Subtotal CR EN VU Subtotal NT LR/cd DD LC Total Animals 0 0 0 75 204 377 656 340 2 767 3,306 5,071 Plants 6 2 8 75 172 138 385 40 1 71 886 1,391

EX : Extinct; EW : Extinct in the Wild; CR : Critically Endangered; EN : Endangered; VU : Vulnerable; NT : Near Threatened; LC : Least Concern; DD : Data Defi cient direct legal authority to order formation Red wolf (Canis rufus): Red wolves are Giant ibis (Thaumatibis gigantean): of rules and regulations of countries to critically endangered crepuscular species Giant ibis is mostly dark with naked safeguard the species but it provides the and are estimated to be only about 100 greyish head and upper neck. It is found insights into the most authentic reasons individuals that live in the wild today. mainly in marshes, pools, wide rivers for the loss of species and the need for Once it was found all throughout the and seasonal water-meadows in open, conserving them. southeastern region of the United States in predominantly deciduous, lowland E.O. Wilson in Vanishing Before Our swamps, forests, wetlands, and bushland forests, although it seems to be dependent Eyes (2000) for the fi rst time used the environments. on soft mud around seasonal pools term the “Hundred Heartbeat Club”. The species was becoming (trapaengs). Hundred Heartbeat Club refers to species increasingly dispersed and population Its diet comprises a variety of that “literally have fewer than 100 hearts numbers were dwindling so fast that in invertebrates, crustaceans, eels, small beating on our planet”, meaning these 1980 the last 17 red wolves were placed in amphibians and reptiles. Females almost species are represented today by 100 or an intense recovery programme and the always lay two eggs per clutch in the wet less than 100 individuals in the world or species was declared extinct in the wild. season. more especially in their natural habitats. However, the species was reintroduced It has a patchy distribution across There are many reasons such as into the wild in 1987 and the red wolf Cambodia and some areas of high density biological, economic, social, political, now inhabits a fi ve-county range in North exist in the Northern Plains, including religious, cultural, accidental, natural, Carolina. Preah Vihear Protected Forest and Kulen poaching, deforestation and many Human activities such as clearing Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary (with 30-40 more that cause the shrinking of animal woodlands to make room for agriculture, nests monitored annually and 24 pairs populations pushing them to the brink trapping and shooting the red wolves monitored in 2014). of extinction from their habitats. Here have been the major causes of the loss This beautiful species has seen are some examples of the animals that of this beautiful animal. According to decline in its number as a result of hunting could be considered members of the “100 the IUCN hybridization with Coyotes is and egg collecting, wetland drainage for Heartbeat Club” or may soon be included also an important threat to the species’ agriculture and deforestation. Habitat if action(s) are not taken today. persistence in the wild today. conversions by large-scale economic land concessions in recent times and clearance of extensive areas of lowland dry forests where the species occur Red Wolf (Photo credit: www.biodiversitywarriors.wikispaces.com ) Giant ibis (Photo Credit: budgetbirders.com)

Science Reporter, MAY 2016 16 COVER STORY Nai province) of the Cat Tien National EXTINCTION – KEY FINDINGS Park in Vietnam. The Javan rhino is *The Risk of Ex nc on is best known for the Vertebrates, in par cular smaller than the Indian rhinoceros, and is close in size to the black rhinoceros. the Amphibians, Birds and Mammals. It is the largest animal in Java and the *21% of the world’s fl ora is threatened. second-largest animal in Indonesia after *Humans have been the main cause of ex nc on since 1500 AD with the Asian elephant. Invasive Alien Species, Habitat Loss, and Over-exploita on being the The cause of population decline main causal factors. is mainly attributable to the excessive demand for rhino horn and other products *Most Threatened species occur in the Tropics, especially in the for Chinese and allied medicine systems, mountains and the islands. a problem that affects all rhino species. * In the marine realm, the “Coral Triangle” of the western Pacifi c and The horns have been a traded commodity for more than 2,000 years in China eastern Indian Ocean holds the most threatened species in most taxa. where they are believed to have healing *Agricultural and forestry ac vi es are the key drivers of habitat loss properties. Surveys of the rhinoceros horn aff ec ng birds. black market have determined that Asian *People and threatened species are o en concentrated in the same rhinoceros horn fetches a price as high as $30,000 per kg, three times the value of areas. African rhinoceros horn. Smaller size of *Species can be saved from ex nc on and this requires a combina on the Javan rhinoceros population is also of sound research, careful coordina on of eff orts and intensive threatening as it may lead to inbreeding management. making them even more genetically eroded, weaker and also expose them to extinction. for conversion to agro-industrial uses since 1994. A 10-year Giant Ibis National As a conservation measure it is including rubber, cassava, wood pulp Action Plan was published in 2015, which legally protected in all range states today. and teak plantations are serious threats aims to stabilize the Giant Ibis population A Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) has been to existence of the species these days. by 2025. established for the protection of this Moreover, the human population is species in Java. increasing within the range of this species Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros mostly through immigration from other sondaicus): According to IUCN the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus): provinces in Cambodia, resulting in more species is listed as Critically Endangered. Also known by names such as Hainan infrastructure and development projects As there are less than 50 mature and Crested Gibbon, Hainan Black Gibbon, that contribute to forest loss. no subpopulations greater than 50 Hainan Black Crested Gibbon, Hainan The species has already been listed individuals the species is experiencing a gibbon is listed by IUCN as Critically as Critically Endangered and hunting continuing decline and the time to save Endangered because of an observed of the species is prohibited in Cambodia it is running out. It now occurs in two decline of at least 80% over the past 45 protected areas: Ujung Kulon National years (three generations) due primarily Park on Java and the Cat Loc part (Dong to hunting and habitat loss. It is also

Javan Rhinoceros (Photo Credit: WWF Indonesia)

17 Science Reporter, MAY 2016 COVER STORY A Rhino This species occurs in Madagascar’s Protection far northern regions, north of the Irodo Unit (RPU) River, where it is now believed to be restricted to the extremely limited has been remaining patches of forest near the established villages of Madirobe and Ankarongana for the in the Sahafary region. According to the protection of IUCN report, currently there are only this species about 50 remaining individuals of this species. Habitat loss and exploitation in Java. through unsustainable levels of hunting have been the primary cause of the loss of this species population. experiencing a continuing decline because This rarest primate species is Sportive lemur is so named due to its population size is less than 50 mature currently vulnerable to being eliminated the boxing-like stance assumed by the individuals. by a single major storm or epidemic. The lemur when threatened. The individuals communicate in an interesting manner The species is endemic to Hainan species is also threatened from problems through chemical communication in Island, China and is reported to be intrinsic to extremely small population the form of latrine behaviour to mark currently confi ned to the Bawangling size such as inbreeding effects, poor mate- territory, as well as vocal communication Nature Reserve on the western side of the choice, and human or natural disaster. (calls). island of Hainan. Prevention of illegal trading, poaching, habitat loss by increasing and better This is a species on the verge of This diurnal, arboreal, and mostly equipped patrols of the present habitats extinction from the surface of the Earth frugivorous species is considered an to dissuade illegal loggers is needed and is in need of special attention. This umbrella species for the Hainan Island seriously. Reverting lowland plantations could include a last-ditch effort to save a which means that status of the Hainan and farms back into habitable forests for piece of its remaining habitat. It will also gibbon is a marker for the health and gibbons by specifi cally planting plant be a good option to undertake a captive stability of its ecosystem. Alterations species they require for survival, such breeding program, although members of in the characteristics of the Hainan as fi gs and myrtle and more especially the genus Lepilemur have always proven ecosystem that negatively affect the educating the residents of the island on diffi cult to keep in zoos and in other ex- gibbons are indicative of negative impact the importance of the Hainan gibbon are situ conservation sites. on other species as well. some logical steps that must taken up to The Hainan black-crested gibbon is provide a safer world for this animal. Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis under grave threat of extinction today. nigriceps): The Great Indian bustard is a Habitat loss is the primary cause in the Northern Sportive lemur (Lepilemur large bird (92-122 cm) with a horizontal decline of the Hainan gibbon. It is said septentrionalis): This lemur species is body and long bare legs, giving it an that over 25% of the Hainan gibbon’s endemic to Madagascar and as a result ostrich-like appearance. This bird is habitat has been reduced due to illegal of severe ecological and human pressures among the heaviest of the fl ying birds. pulp paper plantation growers besides the lemur is classifi ed as Critically It is a brown-and-white bustard with the presence of the pressure from hunting. Endangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List. black crown and wing markings. It

Hainan Gibbon Northern (Photo credit: www.savemenow.eu) Sportive Lemur (Photo Credit: www. iucnredlist. org)

Science Reporter, MAY 2016 18 COVER STORY

Great Indian Bustard (Photo Credit: www.cpreecenvis. Great Indian Bustard (Photo Credit: WWF-India) nic.in)

BUSTARD PRESENCE IN INDIA (Compiled from IUCN report) Area Year Number Detected Thar desert 2012 89 2014 38 Madhya Pradesh 2015 Absent Maharashtra 2015 15 Kachchh 2012 Fewer than 20 Haryana, Odisha, Punjab, In India it is legally protected and there are severe penalties for killing it. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu 2015 Completely disappeared Protected areas have been specifi cally established for this species such as produces booming moans during display undergone an extremely rapid decline Sonkhaliya-Sorson, Lala-Naliya, Gaga- and barking or bellowing sounds when owing to a multitude of threats including Bhatiya, Karera, Ghatigaon, Nanaj and alarmed. habitat loss and degradation, hunting Ranibennur. Rehabilitation of grasslands The Great Indian bustard inhabits and direct disturbance. It now requires has benefi ted the species in some areas. arid and semi-arid grasslands with an urgent acceleration in targeted Grassland restoration through tree scattered short scrubs, bushes and low conservation actions in order to prevent removal has taken place at the GIB intensity cultivation in fl at or gently it from becoming functionally extinct Sanctuary in Maharashtra and work is undulating terrain. The birds congregate within a few decades. planned for the Rollapadu GIB Sanctuary. in traditional grassland patches which Historically, rampant hunting for Humans should introspect on the are less disturbed to breed during mid- sport and food precipitated its decline, manner their actions are resulting in summer and monsoon. It nests in open accelerated by vehicular access to remote declining populations and even extinction ground, laying only one clutch (consisting areas. High intensity poaching is said of several species. It is the youth today of one and very rarely two eggs) every to be still continuing in Pakistan. Some who need to especially bring about a year. poaching continues in India as well. change in attitude and work towards When the name of the “national Several promising programmes have reducing the negative impact of human bird” of India was under consideration, been initiated by many agencies in recent actions on species. If we do not step up the great Indian bustard was a proposed times for the conservation of this bird to help fi ght the extinction of the world’s candidate (strongly supported by the species. The Ministry of Environment, amazingly beautiful and lovingly diverse Indian ornithologist Salim Ali) but Forests and Climate Change led an wildlife, humanity will also be irreparably dropped in favour of the Indian peafowl initiative to prepare species recovery affected. may be because of the potential for being programmes in 2012 for three species of It is worth remembering a quote misspelt as the Great Indian Bastard! bustards – the great Indian bustard, the by a polar bear scientist Steve Amstrup, The species was once common on Bengal fl orican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) “Although many people would like to the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent. and the lesser fl orican (Sypheotides think of humans as observers of ecology, Today the bustard is restricted to isolated indicus). On World Environment Day we are really participants in it, and the pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, 2013, the state of Rajasthan initiated changes in the ecosystem are going to Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya the “Project Great Indian Bustard” by affect us.” Pradesh and Rajasthan (shared with identifying and fencing off bustard Pakistan). breeding grounds in existing protected Mr Mayanglambam Ojit Kumar Singh is Assistant This majestic species is listed as areas as well as providing secure breeding Professor in Zoology, Ramjas College, Delhi Critically Endangered because it has enclosures in areas outside protected University, Delhi-110007; Email: ojit102005@ an extremely small population that has areas. yahoo.co.in 19 Science Reporter, MAY 2016