International Year of Biodiversity 2010

United Nations General Assembly declared, in 2007, that 2010 be the International Year of Biodiversity. This is important locally, as well as globally.

As we track the Journey North  of migrating species (great tracking maps on this site), I am fascinated with the distance the birds and butterflies travel. This is my favourite shot of the caterpillar and the the butterfly that had a brief meeting.

I was watching our wee chickadees building a home —out my living room window, and thinking about them as they tried to build their new sanctuary. They gave up on this spot, began digging a hole lower down on the branch. Oliver was keenly interested.

"I respect the secrets and magic of nature. That’s why it makes me so angry when I see these things that are happening in the world."

~Michael Jackson, This Is It  (1958 – 2009)

For whatever his faults he had a deep appreciation and understanding of nature. This photo, welcoming back our Canada geese to Dark Bay Road. (And, yes, I waved to them in passing!)

"I really find that nature is trying so hard to compensate for man’s mismanagement of the planet. Because the planet is sick. Like a fever. If we don’t fix it now it, it’s at the point of no return. It’s our last chance to fix this problem that we have…where it’s like a runaway train. This is it."

Why is Biodiversity important?

• A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops
• Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms, including our children's children
• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

According to the United Nation's 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, two-thirds of the direct benefits people obtain from biodiversity are currently being degraded or used unsustainably.

Ecosystem services include:

• providing materials such as food, fuels and fibres;
• regulating climate, disease outbreaks, wastes and pollination;
• supporting processes such as nutrient cycling and water purification; and,
• providing opportunities for aesthetic, recreational and spiritual use.

Biodiversity loss affects many services that are essential to the functioning of our society and economy. For example, declines in the populations of bees, butterflies and other pollinators because of habitat destruction, pesticide use and invasive species cost farmers millions of dollars each year in reduced crop yields

Biologists know what is causing this environmental crisis — human impacts from development, deforestation, pollution and climate change are destroying the homes and habitat of wildlife around the world.

Our planet is undergoing a biodiversity crisis

Globally, at least 16,000 species are threatened with extinction, including 12% of birds, 23% of mammals and 32% of amphibians.

In terms of our food sources:

• the familiar Jersey cow accounts for 75 percent of the world's milks supply
• one third of global pork supplies comes from a few breeds
• at least 60 breeds of cattle, goats, horses, pigs, and poultry have been lost since 2002
• 190 of the more than 7,600 breeds listed in FAO's Global Databank for Farm Animal Genetic Resources have become extinct in just the past 15 years.

The joy I found in sharing nature with our 2-year-old granddaughter inspired me. I fear for those who pollute air, land and water in Muskoka. We must teach tourists and residents to do what they can.  If you can do more:

Some Muskoka-based activities

• Become an Important Bird Area (IBA) Caretaker and help us conserve our birds and their habitats
• Become a Species Watchdog (Please contact Nature Canada for more information)
• Put up bird, bat and butterfly feeders or nest boxes
• Join the Muskoka naturalist club
• Volunteer with the Muskoka wildlife rehabilitation centre
• Read about Muskoka Lakes environmental by-laws:
• [ Fires: By-law 2009-45 | Protecting Trees: By-law 2008-55  |  Noise Pollution: By-law 2005-83 | Land Use Official Plan: By-law 87-87 ] 
• Plant trees, celebrate nature in a (on-line?) photo album, buy local, organic food, visit local Muskoka markets— buying in-season produce. 

See also:
Countdown 2010, an initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to help mobilize action to ensure that all governments and members of civil society, halt biodiversity loss in 2010.