What are some of the causes for the loss of biodiversity in Micronesia? Describe at least one of the endemic species (either plant or animal) that is under threat due to habitat loss or degradation.
It is apparent that life is changing for the people in Micronesia as shown by the fact that fishermen have been recording lower levels of fish caught daily. It is apparent that the number of fish in the region has been on an exponentially decreasing trend that has led to many people facing uncertainty in their livelihood because the fish has been their main source of income and food. It is also apparent that the quality of the water has been compromised over the years. The people in the region claim that the water used to be clear, but it has turned into brown and green, and some of the regions are filled with silt, resulting in muddy beaches that can no longer support aquatic fauna and flora (Musburger, 2011).
The region has also been facing an increase in the sea level, which has resulted in some of the islands being submerged in water. The people have been forced to move further inland where the terrain is higher than the sea line, which is quickly shifting inward. This means that in the future, the people living in Micronesia will have to move to other parts of the world when their homes get submerged in the water (Musburger, 2011). Additionally, the fertile lands for agriculture are also being submerged in the water, and the harsh weather patterns are also making farming an unreliable source of water in the region. This implies that people in Micronesia will soon face famine and various health issues.
A biodiversity hotspot is a region associated with a high level of biodiversity and a high level of threat from destruction. Micronesia meets these characteristics because it is home to thousands of plant and animal species, whose existence is threatened by the climatic changes in the region. Most of the habitat is being destroyed by the changes in weather patterns and other environmental changes. The rise in sea level has seen the destruction of most of the land where animals and plants live. One of the endemic species in the region is 11 species of bats that are only found in the islands.
What is the driving force behind the destruction of the elephant population? What other animal trades are mentioned on the World Wildlife site? Choose one to research further and describe the market demand for the product related to the animal at risk. Are any regulations in place? How are these regulations enforced?
The driving force for the destruction of elephants is the ivory trade (Hearts and minds, 2016). The world has also seen an increase in the trade of wildlife as pets and their various body parts are sold to people for various purposes, including the production of ornaments and leather. Trading wild animal skins and fur has been rampant over the past decade; thus, prompting the global society to develop policies that limit the trade of illegal wildlife products in the developed nations (Sliwinski, 2015). The nations across the world collaborate in ensuring that only individuals with permits to sell the products conduct the business (Illegal wildlife trade, 2016). Wildlife conservation agencies are also involved in protecting endangered animals.
What are some possible solutions to the overpopulation of deer in the eastern forests? How could you monitor your proposed solutions in order to ensure success?
The number of deer in the forest has increased dramatically because of the lack of predators in the region to feed on the deer as natural population control. While hunters could control the population of deer in the region, regulations compelled them to refrain from killing the animals as more people advocated for the conservation of wildlife (Hamill, 2015). The deer population has affected the local community by crashing in their homesteads and compromising the survival of shrubs and other vegetation in the region (Pursell, Weldy, & White, 2013). The most feasible solution to the problem is to cull the deer to a manageable number. This should be implemented through licensed hunters.
References
Hamill, J. (2015). Controversial plan to manage the deer population. Web.
Hearts and minds. The Economist. (2016). Web.
Illegal wildlife trade. (2016). Web.
Musburger, C. (2011).Micronesia’s changing climate. Web.
Pursell, A., Weldy, T., & White, M. (2013). Too many deer: A bigger threat to eastern forests than climate change? Web.
Sliwinski, M. (2015). Lions and tigers and bears: Inside the exotic animal trade. Web.