Wild Plants and Animals

7/31/2019 Wild Plants and Animals

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I. Introduction

Biological diversity or biodiversity refer to the variety of plants or animal life present on

Earth. There are three different aspects: genetic diversity within a species, species diversity and

ecosystem diversity. It can contributes toward a stable sustainable environment and provide

many thing to the people like industrial, agricultural and medicinal products as well as food

which enable humans and other species to survive.

1. What is a species?

The different kinds of organisms in the world are divided into species. A species is

defined as a group of similar organisms that are able to breed with one another unable to

interbreed with other species.

2. How do new species form?

New species form from existing one, when the species splits into two or more

populations which then evolve independently of each other, or because of mutations in the ENA

of some members of a population.

3. How quickly do new species form?

The fossils show that species existed and have existed for millions of years with very

little change and without giving rise to new species. Then, in a short period of geological time,

related but different species appeared. Sometimes these new species replaced older ones, and

sometimes the old and the new species coexisted or awhile. The new species are very slow

because of human activity.

4. How many plants and animal species are there?

The exact number of plant and animal species which exists is not known. Most biologists

estimate that there are at least 5 to 10 million different species, but some think that there may be

as many as 30 to 100 million. So far approximately 250,000 flowering plant species, 800,000

lower plant species and 1.5 million animal species have been identified. The animals about 90

percent are insects.


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5. Biodiversity of Cambodia

Cambodia has an extremely rich biological diversity. The forest, wetlands and other

habitats support many species of flora and fauna, which is believed to include 212 of animals,

720 species for birds, 240 reptile species and more than 2,300 vascular plants and 15,000

different species of plants, nine percent of which are endemic, exist in Cambodia.

The forest ecosystems are biologically rich. Tree species percent include the

Dipterocarpaceae, Leguminosae, Lethraceae, and Fagacae families. The Tonle Sap and its

floodplain support a rich diversity of plants and animals that have adapted to seasonal

fluctuations. As many as 850 species of fish in Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong river. Cambodian

coastal wetlands are also a diverse ecosystem and are reported to contain at least 74 tree species.

II. The importance of biodiversity

Human who are depend on thousands of different plant and animals species for their

survival. Why we need biodiversity? Biodiversity is essential to global food security and

nutrition and also serves as a safety-net to poor households during times of crisis. The benefits

that we gain from biodiversity go far beyond the mere provision of raw materials. Our food and

energy security strongly depend on biodiversity and so does our vulnerability to natural hazards

such as fires and flooding. Biodiversity loss has negative effects on our health, material wealthand it largely limits our freedom of choice. As all cultures gain inspiration from or attach

spiritual and religious values to ecosystems or their components e.g. landscapes, trees, hills,

rivers or particular species - biodiversity loss also strongly influences our social relations.

1. Genetic Reserves

Increased diversity of genes within species e.g. as represented by livestock breeds or

strains of plants, reduces risk from diseases and increases potential to adapt to changing climates.

In some communities, plants and animals provide food, clothing and housing materials.

In other societies, people do not go to gather food from the forest but they still depend totally on

plants and animals. People use plants and animals for food, medicines, chemicals, clothing,

structure materials, energy and many other purposes. Only about one hundred and fifty species of

plants provide the great majority of the worlds food. In food systems provides the foundation of


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crop development and food security, and promotes resistance and resilience to environmental

stresses including pests and diseases of crop and livestock. Diets based on a diversity of food

species promote health, and can help to protect against disease by addressing the problem of

micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies. Loss of agricultural biodiversity can therefore threaten

health, livelihood sustainability and our future security of food and nutrition.

2. Medicinal uses

More than 70,000 plant species are used in traditional and modern medicine. There are

many hundreds of medicinal plants that can be grown in temperate climates and there are

probably a great deal more with properties as yet undiscovered. More than 60% of the worlds

people depend directly on plants for their medicines; Chinese uses more than 5,000 of the

estimated 30,000 species of plants in their country for medical purposes. Less than one percent

of all plants species have been analyzed for bioactive components. The use of traditional

knowledge increases the efficiency of screening plants for medicinal property by more than

400%. For example, Just to look at a few of our more common herbs: thyme has been shown to

slow down the ageing process by maintaining the vigor of our body cells; sage is an excellent

antiseptic for treating mouth ulcers and sore throats; chamomile is a safe treatment for childrens'

stomach upsets and garlic contains fungicides and is used in the treatment of Candida.

3. Agricultural uses

Agriculture which provides humans with the food they need to survive is completely

depending on plants and animals. The number of food people regularly eat is limited. Plants are

important to industry because they provide many products including oils and lubricants (a

substance, e.g. oil or grease, for lubricating an engine or component), dyes, paper, rubber, resins,

waxes, poisons, and fibers. Animals products and uses include wool, silk, fur, leather, lubricants,

waxes, and transportation. Both plants and animals are important in scientific research. Real or

personal property use for the production of crops, tillage, husbandry, or farming including but

not limited to, fruit and vegetable production, tree farming, livestock, poultry, dairy products or

poultry product but not facility primarily engaged in processing agricultural product.


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4. Indigenous community

Indigenous people and local communities rely on plant and animal resources collected

locally for up 95% of their basic needs. The conservation and development of the biodiversity is

for them a matter of life and death. Much of the food eaten by the indigenous communities is

gathered from the forest and the agriculture system used is often based on the ecology of the

tropical forest. For instance, Indigenous people in Cambodia traditionally live by cultivating

forest covered areas, a technique best know as widen agriculture, practiced all over the world by

indigenous people living in tropical areas. Their main social unit is the village community. A

council of elders, chosen among the wisest and more experienced men and women of the village,

helps the community to make decisions, solve disputes and conflicts, maintain peace and

solidarity among members, and help developing strategies for community well being. Indigenous

customary laws represent a traditional legal system that is not yet recognized or acknowledged

by the mainstream law.

5. Essential services

The value of global ecosystem services is estimated at $16-$64 trillion. The term

ecosystem describes a community of difference plant and animal species interacting with their

non-living environment. Essential services provided by natural ecosystems. Include protection of

watersheds, the regulation of local and global climates, the maintenance of atmospheric quality,

absorption of pollution, and the generation and maintenance of soils.

6. Recreational, Ethical and Aesthetic Importance

Wildlife not only contributes to human survival and physical comfort; it is also important

for inspiration and our spiritual well being. The strongest ethical consideration involving the

value of wildlife is how humans view themselves in relation to other living things. Human can

see themselves:

As masters of the rest of the world and its resources As caretakers of the plants and animals which should be protected As having only equal right to plants and animals, neither as master or caretaker As parasites because of our dependency on plants and animals for our survival.


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III. Extinction, Endangered, Threatened and Rare

Extinction is the term used to describe complete disappearance of a species from Earth. It

occurs when the last individual member of a species dies. Extinction is irreversible once a

species is extinct it can never reappear. An endangered species has so few members left alive,

that it could soon become extinct if nothing is done to save it. A threatened species has some

members living in natural habitat but is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse

the problem reducing the population. These are mainly species whose population sizes are

decreasing or whos habitat is being steadily lost in all places where the species occurs. Rare

species are species that are few in number but are not in immediate danger of extinction. They

are usually species found in local populations in particular habitats or are thinly scattered over

larger ares.

1. Extinct, Endangered and Threatened Species in Cambodia

Species of mammals which were present in Cambodia in the past, but are now believed to

be extinct or critically endangered include the Kouprey and the Asian Rhinoceros. Endangered

species include the Asian Elephant, Tiger and Gibbon. Other mammals which are vulnerable or

rare now are the Banteng, Brown-antlered Deer, Gaur, Pygmy Loris and Sunbear. Birds that are

now endangered include the Greater Adjutant Stork and the Sarus Crane.

2. The Reasons Why Species Become Endangered or Extinct

Currently, the earths biological diversity is disappearing at an alarming rate. Estimates suggest

that at least one species becomes extinct every twenty minutes and that it seems certain that

greater than 25% of the Earths biodiversity will be lost during the next few decades. There are

many reasons why plants and animals become endangered or extinct.

a. Habitat Loss

The greatest threat to most wild species is destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of

their habitats. Such disruption of natural communities threatens wildlife species by destroying

migration routes, breeding areas, and food sources and will also impact on plant populations

which rely on wildlife for pollen dispersal and pollination. Deforestation is the greatest cause of

habitat loss and degradation globally, followed by destruction of coral reefs and wetlands and


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conversion of grasslands for agricultural production. Other serious factors threatening habitats of

animals and plants are forest fires and pollution.

In Cambodia, the destruction of the forests, including the mangrove forests and flooded

forests of the Tonle Sap has destroyed the habitats of many plants and animals. The building of

roads of the removal of logs has also increased access to forested areas which had been

inaccessible until recently. The improved access has made it easier for wildlife hunters and

traders to capture animals which are then sold locally or exported to Vietnam or Thailand. The

conversion of wetlands to land suitable for building or agriculture which is taking place close to

urban centers, is reducing the area and quality of wetland habitats. Dynamite fishing in coastal

waters off the Cambodian coast is destroying much of the coral reef, and thereby reducing the

diversity of marine species.

b. Hunting and Wildlife Trade

Hunting of wildlife takes place for three reasons: to provide food, as a sport and for

commercial reasons. Commercial hunting involves capturing or killing animals for profit from

sale. As more of the worlds species become endangered, their economic value and the demand

for them on the black market may rise sharply, hastening their extinction.

Trade in wild life and associated products is a major threat to some species of animals and, to a

lesser extent, plants in Cambodia. Of particular concern is the internal and illegal export traded.

Also Cambodia is not a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

of Wild Fauna and Flora and therefore is not able to participate fully in international efforts to

control illegal trade.

c. Predator and Pest Control

Extinction or near extinction can also occur when people attempt to exterminate pest and

predator species that compete with humans for food. For example, shrinking animal habitats

frequently force animals, e.g. Elephants onto croplands where they are killed by farmers who are

trying to protect their crops.


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d. Pollution and Climate Change

Toxic chemicals degrade wildlife habitats and kill some animals and plants. Pesticides,

which take many years to break down have caused populations of some bird species to decline.

Climate change is also likely to have a large impact on wildlife in the future, e.g. changes in

rainfall patterns and temperature regimes, increasing frequency of storms and sea-level rise.

e. Introduction of Alien Species

An alien species is one that has been deliberately or accidentally introduced to a new

geographical region. Many of these alien species are introduced because they provide food or

beauty to the new environments and occasionally to control pests. Some alien species have no

predators or competitors in their new habitat. That allows them to dominate their new ecosystem

and reduce the population of many native species. Eventually, such alien species can cause the

extinction, or displacement of native species. Two species of weed that are alien to Cambodia are

the water hyacinth and Mimosa Pigra (Known as Baan Lar Youn in Khmer). Water hyacinths

cause problems by clogging water ways but it is used as a food source. Mimosa Pigra, however,

spreads rapidly, has no use, and has a negative impact on fish breeding. It produces 10-12,000

seeds m2 and spreads rapidly after flooding.

f. The Human Impact

The underlying causes of extinction are population growth of humans, increased

affluence and poverty. As the human population grows, it occupies more land and clears and

degrades more forest to supply food, fuelwood, timber and other resources. Increasing affluence

leads to greatly increased overage resource use per person, which is a prime factor in destruction

and degradation of wildlife habitat.

g. Natural Process

Some species have natural traits that make them more vulnerable than others to

premature extinction. One trait that effects the survival of species under different environmental

conditions is their reproductive strategy. Species that have small adults of short life span that

have many small young at an early reproductive age have a better survival chance than large

animals that live long lives and have fewer young at a later reproductive age.


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h. Additional Reasons for Loss of Plants and Animals

There are many more specific reasons why biodiversity is being lost at the rate of one species

every 20 minutes. Some of there are as follows:

Economic systems and policies that fail to adequately value the environment and itsresources;

Inequity in the ownership, management and flow of costs and benefits from both the useand conservation of biological resources;

Lack of knowledge and its application; Legal and institutional systems that promote unsustainable exploitation Lack of adequate support to research and conservation projects Ethical considerations (particularly the belief that everything can be renewed, selfishness

and greed)

IV. Methods for Protecting and Managing Wildlife

Protection and management of wild plants and animals can take a species approach or an

ecosystem approach.

1. The Species Approach

It involves identifying endangered species, giving the species legal protection,

propagating species in captivity and reintroducing species in suitable habitats.

a. International Agreements

Cambodia have joined many convention such as:

The convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowlhabitat (Ramsar, 1971): All countries that are the members of Ramsar agree to use

wisely all wetland resources under determination and to have at least one wetland of

international significance.

The convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and nationalheritage (world heritage convention, Paris, 1972): The convention recognizes the

obligation of all states to protect unique natural and cultural areas and recognizes the


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obligation of the international community to help pay for them. In Cambodia the Angkor

Wat and Preah Vihea Temples have already been designated as the World Heritage Site.

A proposal to designate the Tonle Sap lake as a World Heritage Site is currently under

discussion and such a designation would assist the preservation of certain species in the

Tonle Sap.

The convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES): This treatylists the species that cannot be commercially traded or wildlife products because they are

endangered or threatened.

The convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (Bonn,1979): All members have to protect endangered migratory species and to try to conclude

international conservation agreements for the conservation of vulnerable species that are

not yet endangered. This convention also encourages member states to conserve and

restore habitat areas for migratory species.

b. Protection of Wildlife in Cambodia

The wildlife protection office (WPO) of the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries

(MAFF) was set up in 1992. In order to protect the wild animals that were endangered, in 1994

WPO created a law which was shown the list of protected species (Decree No.5). It includes 36

species of mammals, 6 species of reptile and 102 species of birds. If anyone found breaking thislaw for the first time, he must have all their equipment confiscated and be fined as the money.

But if it is the second time, he can be imprisoned for 3 months to 3 years.

Additional legislation in 1996 which was joined by MAFF and MoF, stated about the

prohibition of hunting the pythons. Now the forest law has been presented to the National

Assembly and a new wildlife protection law is being discussed within the MAFF.

c. Phnom Tamao Zoo

Phnom Tamao zoo is a Wildlife Protection Office program. In 1992 the Department of

Forestry and Wildlife established a reforestation project at Phnom Tamao. By 1995 the WPO

was faced with the problem of dealing with animals that were confiscated from hunters and

traders. Since many of the animals had been held in captivity for a long period of time and others

had been injured, it was not possible to release the animals into the wild. The WPO decided to


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bring the animals to Phnom Tamao. It was found to be a suitable location when the first animals,

pythons, reptiles and turtles were taken there. In May 1995, it was decided to create Phnom

Tamao zoo.

2. The Ecosystem Approach: Protecting habitats

Most wildlife biologists believe that the best way to prevent the loss of wild species is to

establish and maintain a worldwide network of reserves, parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other

protected areas. The ecosystem approach attempts to protect many species from becoming

endangered by human activities and is also be cheaper than managing endangered species one by

one.

3. The Reasons for Establishing a Protected Area System

To protect the characteristic or the unique examples of ecosystems To protect wildlife of special interest To protect the landscapes of geophysical features of aesthetic or the scientific value To maintain the ecological services To protect the sites of special scientific interest To protect the historic or the archaeological sites To provide the opportunities for the generation of alternative incomes and foreign

exchange

To study those area4. Protected Areas in Cambodia

As defined by world conservation union (IUCN) the protected areas are divided into 4 groups:

National parks: Kirirom, Phnom Bokor, Kep, Ream, Botum-Sakor, Phnom Kulen,Virachey.

Wildlife sanctuaries: Aural, Peam Krasop, Phnom Samkos, Roniem Daun Sam, KulenPromtep, Beng Per, Lomphat, Phnom Prich, Phnom Nam Lyr, Snoul.

Protected landscapes: Angkor, Banteay Chmar, Preah Vihear. Multiple-use area: Dong Peng, Samlaut, Tonle Sap.


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5. Challenges Facing National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

The main problems facing the protected areas are:

Legislation and policy Finances Human resources Logging Land grabbing Wildlife hunting Lack of awareness

V. The goal of biodiversity conservation

To conserving biodiversity is not just a matter of protecting wildlife in nature reserves.

Its also about safeguarding the natural systems of the essential elements maintaining the fertility

of the soil, providing food from the land, freshwaters, and seas, yielding medicines and self

guarding the genetic richness on which we depend in the ceaseless struggle to improve our crops

and livestock.

The campaign to conserve biodiversity outlined in the reported is broken down into three

Components:

Saving biodiversity mean taking real steps to protect genes, species, habitats andecosystems.

Studying biodiversity mean documenting its composition, distribution, structure, andfunction; understanding the roles and function of genes, species, and ecosystem;

understanding the complex links between modified and natural systems; and using this

understanding to support sustainable development. Using biodiversity sustainably and equitably mean managing biological resources so are

that they last indefinitely; making sure that biodiversity it used to the improved the

human condition and seeing that resources are share equitably.


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1. Need for a Broad-based Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

All the stakeholders including central and local government, industry and citizen's group,

including non-governmental environment and development organizations, and women's and

indigenous people's organizations must be involved in discussions because effective

conservation required:

Effort and fields, forests, watersheds, grasslands, coastal zones and settlements wherepeople live and work.

Government efforts to address the many aspects of biodiversity conservation which arebeyond the capacity of local communities or involving resources that are of national

importance.

International corporation because of the global nature of the biodiversity crisis and thelack of natural resources in many countries.

VI. Summary

Cambodia has an extremely rich biological diversity. The forest, wetlands, and other

habitats support many species of flora and fauna. It is really important for human being, because

human depend on those thousands of different plant and animal species for their survival.

Moreover, Biodiversity is also essential to global food security and nutrition and also serve as a

safety-net to poor households during time of crisis. Unfortunately, some resources are extinction,

endangered, threatened and rare. This is because of the habitat loss, hunting wild life trade,

pollution and climate change, human impact etc. So the methods of protecting and managing

wild life have created. And the campaign to conserve global diversity is broken down into three

components such as, saving biodiversity, studying biodiversity, and using biodiversity

sustainably and equitably. People must be involved in the discussion of this conservation to

make it effectively, because it's required the effort from the all people, government and the

international corporation.


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References

- Environment: ETAP Reference Guide Book

- Raven, P., 1994. Why It Matters An explanation of the value of the biodiversity and practicalmeans for its preservation. Our Planet Volume 6 No 4, 1994

- UNEP, 1992. Global Biodiversity Strategy

- UNEP, 1995. National Biodiversity Planning Guidelines based on Early Experiences Around

the World

- Oxford American Dictionary

- The Scholar Search (Wikipedia)

Documents

Wild Plants and Animals