Taking stock of the world's natural assets

2010 is the year of biodiversity. ENVIRONMENT looks at what is at stake and what can be gained from the planet's resources.

ENVIRONMENT

By Eve IRVINE

Studies show that over 60% of Europeans have either never heard the word biodiversity before or know what it means. Biodiversity is all the species of plants and animals in their natural environments. It is that which conservationists are striving so hard to protect.

Known for centuries as an area of outstanding natural beauty, Mauritius has suffered greatly at the hands of global warming and destructive seasonal cyclones. Globally, a fifth of all coral reefs are under imminent risk of collapse, bad for the environment but also for the economy of islands like Mauritius whose tourists were attracted by the aquatic species. In terms of tourism, a hectare of intact coral reef can be worth an annual income of 1 million US dollars. In a bid to save their economy and coastlines, artificial coral reefs are being set up.

Researchers there have started a coral nursery to try to lend a hand to a dying species by artificially cultivating the most resistant strain of coral.

“We have to use the most resistant species to make the most of the money we have. We were given permission to start cultivating two years ago and the "Pavona decussata" is a species that has coped the best and we hope it can help us restore the sea with our artificial reefs,” notes Ruby Moothien Pillay.

However there are worries that the species will not fit in with the local ecosystem. The coral is being embedded in large quantities with no long-term guarantees.

And while some of the animals and plants we know are fading fast, an unprecedented program of naturalist expeditions has begun with scientists planning to spend the next ten years searching for previously unlisted species.

One of those scientists is Olivier Pascal. The Frenchman recently spent six weeks in the northern corner of Mozambique bringing back hundreds of samples which are now being sifted through in the laboratory to see if they represent previously unlisted species.

Finally, while efforts are being made to help certain species grow in Mauritius, over in South Africa war has been declared against any non-native varieties of vegetation.

The goal is to make sure that the "fynbos", the major vegetation type of this small botanical region known as the Cape Floral Kingdom is maintained, and that the 161 plants currently considered a threat are restricted.

Mairead Dundas

Presenter

07/05/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

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