The presence of man has generated, and still does, changes in all the ecosystems where it is present. A recent study by Chinese scientists found that human activities cause changes in tropical birds. As they pointed out, they identified changes in their diet and shape. That is to say that not only do they eat the same thing, but their body began to adapt and resemble, with which the different species began to take on similar traits.
A team of scientists from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, South China Normal University and the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences assessed the climate of Hainan, an island belonging to China and is considered to be the southernmost point of that country. In addition, the researchers analyzed the land and the economic changes that this region underwent at two different times, separated by 15 years. In this way, the experts sought to understand what the impact of urbanization, population growth and biodiversity conservation had been.
According to research published in the journal Conservation Biology, this island, which has more than 400 species of birds, has undergone rapid changes in its economic development in the last 20 years and, despite efforts to conserve the biodiversity, changes were evident in these animals. Even, experts warn that the extent of this behavior is still unknown.
Thus, human activity led to a “biotic homogenization in birds, with increasingly similar communities and species”. That is, today, these species not only share the diet, but began to show similarities in the shape of their body. They also pointed out that human activity can lead to an increase in the population of birds that are more “resistant” to humans, to the detriment of those less tolerant.
“We found that environmental legislation prevented extreme negative effects on biodiversity. However, we are also seeing a growing similarity between communities around the island and the complex effects of human activities on biodiversity,” said Dr. Emilio Pagani-Núñez, the study's first author. He also stressed that the rules imposed to protect the island's ecosystem were more complex than had been estimated.
The expert also highlighted that, with this research, they managed to demonstrate that “there is hope for biodiversity, and that economic growth and better conservation of biodiversity are possible”; although he clarified that “a price will be paid and it is our duty to prevent such negative effects through policy development specific to especially diverse or sensitive ecosystems and communities”.
“The loss of biodiversity and biotic homogenization are widespread trends in the Anthropocene,” said Pagani-Núñez. At the same time, he assured that “we are witnessing the sixth mass extinction, which means a simplification of natural communities only comparable to previous traumatic events that significantly reduced global biodiversity. If these negative effects of human activities do not diminish, it is very likely that natural communities will not have a chance to recover.”
For this reason, the scientist assured that “governments and companies must invest more in biodiversity conservation and integrate biodiversity conservation into economic development plans to create landscapes for both biodiversity and people.”
It is worth noting that the experts said that “environmental protection in urban areas positively influences biodiversity”, but warned that, despite similar efforts, in rural areas, where there is a greater number of diversity, the results show a lower biodiversity. Whereas in urban regions, “no significant net loss of biodiversity is generated.”
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