International Day for Biological Diversity 2020
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Globally, around 25% of all animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. The theme of this year is "Our solutions are in nature" which emphasises hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
As the global community is called to re-examine its relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few.
2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions. It is expected, from each of us, that we will “Build Back Better” by using this time to increase the resilience of nations and communities as we recover from this pandemic. 2020 is the year when, more than ever, the world can signal a strong will for a global framework that will “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss for the benefit of humans and all life on Earth.
Although the review of taxa in Trinidad and Tobago is far from complete, it is well evidenced that due to its small size, location, and geological relationship shared with the South American continent, the country has a high species diversity to surface area ratio.
The range of terrestrial ecosystems include evergreen seasonal
- semi-evergreen seasonal
- deciduous seasonal
- littoral woodlands
- lower montane rainforests
- seasonal montane forests
- montane rainforests
- elfin woodlands
- swamp forests (including mangrove woodlands)
- palm swamps
- marshes
- savannahs
- 2160 species of flowering plants - 110 of which are endemic
- 433 species of birds (411 Trinidad and 210 Tobago)
- 100 mammals
- 37 amphibians
- 93 reptiles including 47 snakes (44 Trinidad and 21 Tobago)
- the water masses
- mud bottoms
- coral reefs and communities
- sandy bottoms
- rocky shores
- sea grass beds
- mud flats
Some threats to biodiversity include
- Habitat loss
- Unsustainable hunting practices
- Deforestation
- Invasive species
- Climate change
To protect Biodiversity we must encourage Government legislation that promotes the:
- Protection of flora and fauna
- Create Nature preserves
- Reducing invasive species
- Habitat restoration
- Captive breeding and seed banks
- Research
- Reduce climate change
- Purchase sustainable products
- Sustainable living
- Education/Awarness
Together we can protect that which we all need for survival.
Take our short #Biodiversity quiz, chick the link below:
The photographs featured in this articles were submitted to the EPPD via our social media platforms as part of our #BackyardBiodiversity activity to commemorate International Day for Biological Diversity.
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