Hawaii is working to save biodiversity through efforts like cutting Hawaiian monk seals from fishing nets and moving vulnerable pups away from sharks, significantly helping the endangered species. About 30% more Hawaiian monk seals are alive today because of these interventions. Scientists from 80 countries are also deploying new technologies like acoustic sensing, DNA barcoding, and tagging to better monitor ocean life as all nations are affected by issues like overfishing and pollution. These technologies allow for tracking greater numbers of fish and identifying endangered species.
2. Dictionary.reference.com
states that biodiversity is
diversity among and
within plant and animal
species in an
environment.
The American Heritage
Science Dictionary
defines biodiversity as
“The number, variety,
and genetic variation of
different organisms
found within a specified
geographic region.
3. “At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy
and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are
derived from biological resources. In addition,
the richer the diversity of life, the greater the
opportunity for medical discoveries, economic
development, and adaptive responses to such
new challenges as climate change.”
-The Convention about Life on Earth
4. Cutting Hawaiian monk seal
from fishing nets, moving
vulnerable pups away from
preying sharks, and other
efforts have significantly helped
the endangered species.
1/5 of the roughly 1,100
Hawaiian monk seals in the
world are alive today because of
interventions to save them.
The seal population is about
30% larger today that it would
have been if authorities didn’t
act.
5. Monitoring the diversity of life
in the oceans better allows us to
recognize and anticipate
problems.
Recently Scientists from 80
nations are working under the
Census of Marine Life have
been deploying new
technologies to monitor and
measure life within an
emerging global ocean
observing system.
All nations are affected by over
fishing, the breakdown of
international
fisheries, pollution, and the
destruction of coastal habitats.
6.
7. The new technologies consist of:
Acoustic Sensing- allows scientist to track ten of
thousands of times greater than previously possible.
Helps in fishstock distribution and the building of
sustainable fisheries.
DNA Barcoding- allow for the rapid and accurate
identification of life. Allows authorities to detect
endangered species being illegally sold and allows
reseachers to better catalogue the diversity of life in our
seas.
Tagging- Helps us study different parts of the oceans as
well as migration routes and patterns. It captures light,
depth, and salinity.
8. I feel that this is a wonderful improvement in
conditions. Biodiversity loss is the first signs of
extinction and so it is very comforting to know
that there are organizations fighting to keep
biodiversity alive. I also find the new
technologies used and their functions in other
parts of the world very interesting.
