Wildlife conservation is the effort to protect and sustain diverse species of animals and their habitats. Wildlife specialists work to educate others about wildlife, how to care for wildlife, and how to create an environment that is safe for all species.
A key part of wildlife conservation is creating biodiversity, also known as a rich array of species and ecosystems. Biodiversity comes from four main components: genetic diversity, ecological diversity, spatial diversity, and temporal diversity.
Genetic diversity refers to differences in species. Conservation aims to protect all species, including those that are endangered or threatened.
Ecological biodiversity refers to the different environments in which species live and what they need to survive. Spatial biodiversity refers to the distribution of species and ecosystems across a region or country. Temporal biodiversity refers to the variation in population size over time. All of these elements must be taken into account when trying to provide a habitat for wildlife.
Natural vegetation
Wildlife requires a home to live in, and a home requires wildlife. Creating habitats for wildlife requires adding elements to empty spaces, most often in the form of plants.
Plants are a crucial part of any habitat, as wildlife depends on them for food and shelter. For example, butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves of certain plants, where their young develop and shelter until they can fly.
The size and type of plant matter affects how many insects can shelter and feed on it, as well as how many animals can use it to develop or hide in. Larger plants may be able to support more wildlife than smaller plants can.
Some plants are aggressive growers that take over areas by spreading rapidly. These plants may help control certain types of insects by covering them up or killing them. These weeds may need to be removed to help preserve the habitat for the animals that use the land for other purposes.
Natural water sources
A natural water source can be a river, stream, lake, pond, sea, or ocean. Wildlife needs access to water to drink and to move from one habitat type to another.
Inland wildlife needs a place to migrate and breed, and a place to retreat to when the land is dry. A permanent water source is a critical element of a wildlife habitat.
If there is no adequate water in the area, then the wildlife will either suffer or must relocate. When climate change causes drought conditions, this is a huge threat to wildlife.
Water not only plays an important role in providing habitat for animals but also helps in protecting them from external threats such as predators. By having access to clean water, species can find refuge and stay healthy.
Sufficient distance from human settlements
Wildlife needs a safe place to live and thrive, away from the dangers of human settlements and activities.
Human settlements include urban areas, cities, towns, villages, sub-Saharan villages, settlements, compounds, and farms. All of these contain harmful substances that can harm wildlife.
These include pollution (electromagnetic radiation and chemical contaminants), habitat fragmentation or degradation, agricultural and domestic animal waste, and overharvesting of wildlife.
Wildlife cannot survive in heavily populated areas or where there is extensive development or industrialization. As much as we wish it could, wildlife cannot simply move farther away from us!
Conserving land along riverbanks and other waterways is an important part of river conservation. Keeping these areas undeveloped protects the essential space that species need to survive.
Adequate protection from human activity
Wildlife needs a place to call home, but in order for them to thrive, they need protection from human activity.
Human activity can include the development of land for housing, industry, and agriculture; tourism; and global climate change. All of these can have negative impacts on wildlife habitat.
For instance, forests are vital to many species of animals. As humans develop land for houses and businesses, they destroy forests which can eliminate a home for wildlife.
Tourism also has a strong impact on wildlife. When people go out to see certain animals, they may end up disrupting their habitat and putting them in danger.
As humans continue to influence global climate change, it also negatively affects wildlife by changing where they can live and breed. All of these factors must be taken into consideration when trying to preserve wildlife.
