27 Fascinating Conservation Facts To Help Protect Our Natural Resources

Climate change is real, and every small switch in the quality of ecosystems is speaking for it.

Human activity has been one of the core sources for the extinction of diverse species of flora and fauna on the planet. From melting glaciers to biodiversity loss, natural resources are at risk. The best way to save these natural features is by working towards the conservation of nature.

On a planet where animals and plant species live together, all lives are connected, and one's action brings consequences for the other. However, invasive species are not the only cause of creating a rift in natural ecosystems. Rising carbon emissions due to human activities across the planet are a significant reason behind habitat loss, threatened forests, and even extinction for some living species. Conservation is the step towards protecting biodiversity through informed practices towards preserving and improving the concerned areas. A lack of balance in biodiversity can bring various environmental drawbacks; therefore, conservation is one of the most important topics for both the environment and us, the human species.

What is conservation?

Conservation is a gentle balancing act of keeping all species on Earth protected by shielding them from the process of extinction, as one part of nature destruction influences others to face the consequence. As the name states, it conserves natural resources to maintain nature in its prime condition, an essential trait for living species to survive together. Specific habitats and species are already destroyed, but protecting the populations left depends on us and our actions.

• Conservation protects all parts of biodiversity, including agriculture, animals, birds, plants, land, wildlife, rainforest, oceans, and natural resources.
• The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) deems habitat loss the greatest threat to the 85% of species present in its Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species.
• Captive breeding is a form of conservation carried out under protected areas to improve the population of threatened or next to extinct species, that are no longer safe left in the wild. Zoos and national parks extend these programs to protect and improve endangered species.
• Carbon emissions take a significant share in expanding pollution levels and threatening different aspects of nature. Conservation also captures this region and promotes sustainable practices among humans to curb carbon dioxide levels.
• The need for conversation grew to an extent where the Endangered Species Act (1973) was passed. The act encouraged the conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened, and endangered species rely on survival.
• Hunters offer insights into the wildlife population and maintain a healthy balance amid the animal population. Hunters illegally functioning to target threatened living species do not count under conservation.

Types Of Conservation

With the diversity of living species worldwide, conservation practices are divided into different types for identifying their features and planning out strategies offering conservation relevant to that sphere. There are four significant types of protection: environmental conservation, animal conservation, marine conservation, and human conservation.

• Environmental conservation works towards preserving the natural aspects of the world, including freshwater, land, forests, agriculture, and trees, against unsustainable human practices promoting harm to nature.
• Animal conservation is dedicated to protecting animals, birds, and habitats by keeping their population in check. This sphere protects species on the verge of extinction of breeding practices and eliminates invasive species.
• Marine conservation refers to extending protection to bodies of water and the occupying species. Marine life including fishes, coral reefs, crustaceans, and other sea creatures, are essential to biodiversity, therefore they need protected areas to thrive.
• Every life on Earth is directly connected to the balance of nature. Any switch in nature directly affects humans; therefore, human conservation works towards restoring the balance in humans' habitat towards creating a safe living environment for humans and other living species alike.
• Water conservation is a practice to promote sustainable usage of water through controlled use and curbed pollution levels. It is an essential practice as only 2.5% of fresh water on Earth is fit for drinking.
• Natural reserves are safe areas for forests and animal species. Protected regions keep harmful aspects at bay to create a safe habitat. These reserves are usually covered with forests and plants species on the verge of extinction, and at the same time, protect threatened animals from the wild.
• Around 1 million species of plants and animals are nearly extinct; therefore, the active participation of authorities and individuals is necessary to undo the negative impact, which is only possible by working with conservation programs and their suggested sustainable practices.

Facts On Conservation

Authorities are taking significant steps towards conserving ecosystems that cover all life forms on Earth. Yet, every individual must know essential facts about conservation, its value, how it is practiced, and the areas it covers. Here are a few points on conservation, allowing you a glance into the wide world of conservation.

• According to reports, an average American unknowingly wastes around 30 gal (113 l) of water each day.
• Besides the ocean being the highest producer of oxygen in the world, the Amazon rainforest is responsible for creating over 6-10% of the world's oxygen.
• Only 12.1% of Earth's land is dedicated to natural reserves. The number is recommended to grow as authorities are taking steps to create more safe spaces.
• 15-17% of total carbon emissions are the product of deforestation. Preventing deforestation can reduce this percentage and improve air quality by effectively lowering carbon dioxide across the world.
• Infrastructure expansion, over usage of natural resources, and deforestation are some of the most common causes of rising pollution levels and the extinction of plants and animal species.
• The deforestation rate in Costa Rica has been reduced to zero. Various studies have claimed that local communities have reaped significant benefits from it as more natural reserves continue to be established.
• $316 billion a year is the estimated combined loss of six nations due to the presence of invasive species. These regions include the UK, US, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Australia.

Pros And Cons Of Conservation

Although conservation is carried out for the well-being of nature, every practice has its pros and some cons. Conservation has them too. This practice has its equal share of beneficial aspects and drawbacks created out of its various applications, which often do not go as well as planned. Let's take a look at some of those to learn more about the difference between conservation and the 'right' conservation.

• Conservation protects all living species across the world and maintains a healthy balance in the environmental sphere.
• Improved air quality, healthier ocean, safe water supply, lowering greenhouse gases, and protection of land and habitat are major conservation benefits. Conservation is meant to undo environmental damage and restore the Earth to a healthier form.
• Cons of conservation include renewable resources being costlier as compared to natural resources.
• Conservation is not a simple step. It takes a strategic coordination structure to put the plan into action. Coordination may not be a step everyone can afford as third-world countries primarily survive on the low-cost aspects of naturally offered resources.
• The idea of sustainable living is a necessity. Still, its higher costs are a concern for many people who wish to contribute to conservation but fail to do so because of the lack of required cost.
• Conservation attempts to restore limited resources that took years to generate.
• The practice of protecting nature is an effort to sustain a healthy planet for future generations. Exhausting resources means leaving nothing for future generations' survival; hence conservation practices must be taken seriously.