Why Wildlife is Important?

Wildlife plays an important role in balancing the environment by providing stability to different processes of nature. Nature and wildlife have been largely connected with humans for social, economic, and scientific reasons. Animals for instance, have been highly beneficial in providing food, clothing, as well as source of income. Human’s life is almost impossible without the support of wildlife.

Nevertheless, wildlife has always been mistaken as violent, unrestrained, and fierce creatures. The term ‘wildlife’ is in fact, not only caters to wild animals but also takes into account all undomesticated life forms including plants, fungi, birds, insects, and even microscopic organisms. However, perceptions about wildlife are always influenced by cultural or societal stereotypes such as films or television programs. When perceptions about wildlife are inaccurate due to misinformation, the perceptions can become irrational. Irrational fears can lead to negative feelings and build destructive actions involving wildlife crimes and poaching. It is crucial to deliver the correct information about importance of wildlife. Thus, the threats from humans to wildlife can be reduced and avoided.

Wildlife and humans are connected.

1. Ecological Importance.

In purpose to maintain a healthy ecological balance on earth, animals, plants and marine species are as important as humans. Each organism has a unique position in food chain, playing important roles to help balancing the ecosystem. For instance, extinction of carnivores’ species will lead to an increase number of herbivores. The competition of getting foods among herbivores can cause a lack of food in the wild which in turn they come out from their places and destroy human’s crops and agricultural lands. Being a predator is also a great contributor in balancing the ecosystem. Once the equilibrium and stability are changed, the ecological processes will also been disturbed. Other than that, each organisms also has its own function to the surrounding. Elephants are important ecosystem engineers. They make pathways in dense forested habitat that allow passage for other animals. Orang utans play a vital role in seed dispersal and in maintaining the health of the forest ecosystem, which is important for people and a host of other animals, including tigers, Asian elephants and Sumatran rhinos.

2. Economic Importance.

Wildlife also plays an important role in improving the economy of the country. For many, wildlife is also the source of income and provides them with their sustenance. Consider the simple case of fishermen who mainly rely on their daily catches or the farmers who heavily depend on a healthy crop yield for their livelihood. Similarly, many industries such as papers, rubber, textile, and timber are highly depending on wildlife for their revenue.

Eco-tourisms are among the main attractions to invite tourists from all over the world. Wildlife reserves and forests are offering safari tours, birding tours, or under water tours, greatly contribute to inflow of foreign exchange, thereby increasing a country’s economy. Many other activities such as fishing, river rafting, snorkeling, scuba diving, and trekking require government permits or licenses. These may increase the country’s income as well. Not to mention yet all cost related of tourist’s travel, local transportation, food, accommodation, and sight-seeing. They indirectly contribute a significant amount to the nation’s economy.

How is wildlife important to a man?

3. Medical and scientific values.

A large number of animals and plants species are consumed to benefit humans in medicine productions. Many of the medicines such as penicillin, aspirin, and morphine have been derived from uncultivated plants. In addition, the traditional medicinal system have also been using extracts from various herbs and plants to cure problems like blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems since ages. Extracts from animal species are also rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants. For example, the oil from Cod fish’s liver is rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 anti-oxidants that helps fight ageing, chemicals derived from shrimps and lobsters are used in treating fungal infections, venom of Cobra is used as a cure for leprosy and, to name a few. These days, various species of animals are also being studied and researched upon to find cures to deadly diseases like cancers, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

4. Aesthetical values.

Aesthetic value means something that is pleasing to the eye. Watching a deer grazes or coral reefs habitat could give beautiful sceneries. Wild animals and plants have this aesthetic value. They are source of joy, pleasure, and awe for many people. People appreciate seeing animals and plants in their natural habitats. Common things when travelers stopped along the roadside to watch wild animals walking or passing through the road or when seeing brightly colored plants. Usually, the aesthetic value is the motivation for recreational activities. Photography becomes a recreational activity that results from the aesthetic value of the landscape. As the word spreads of the beauty of an area, people have the desire to travel there and experience it for themselves.

5. Cleaning of Environment.

Scavengers and decomposers wild animals like vultures, eagles, jackals, hyenas, as well as micro‐organisms, which feed upon dead animals, convert them into different nutrients and release energy back to the nature increasing fertility of the soil. They do very important work of cleaning the environment, otherwise what the fate of this planet will be, can be assumed.

 

We must protect wildlife especially the endangered species like elephants.

These days unfortunately, most of wildlife species and habitats have been destroyed for developments and new settlements. Poaching and hunting for ornaments, fashions, and exotic pets, are among the great factors contributing to wildlife extinction. So, if one day, forests, animals, lakes, oceans and birds go missing from the earth, it will not only have an impact on the livelihoods of these people who are directly dependent on wildlife industry but, it will also have a cascading effect on every human being. In this case, wildlife conservation is one of the ways out. Generally, wildlife conservation is applied to species that are in danger of becoming extinct by unnatural causes such as pollution, climate change, and unreasonable laws. The efforts help in protecting the resources and by at least, slow down the effects of wildlife extinction. Therefore, humans must realize the importance of wildlife and destined to protect them for a secure future.