According to a team of US researchers, half of the Earth's ice-free terrain persists on being unaltered by human influence. The next step they determined in discovering this data is on how to keep it that way and protect the rest of the untouched land.
Furthermore, the researchers say that Earth preservation is still possible with prompt maintenance efforts. Using four recent global maps, the authors compared the transformation of natural lands to "anthropogenic land", or land altered by humans.
Results from the study showed that some of the low-impact areas include Asian forests and tundra and the Australian outback. On the other hand, the more human-influenced half included cities, ranches, croplands, and mines.
The researchers concluded that decisive and quick action provides a slim chance of being able to conserve what's left of the Earth's unscathed land. Moreover, they say that imperforate natural lands can contribute by purifying water and air, breaking down waste, and recycling nutrients.
Additionally, Earth preservation could also enhance soil retention and fertility and also pollinate plants. Scientists say it would save governments funds worth up to trillions of US dollars every year. The findings of the study were published in the journal Global Change Biology on June 5, 2020.
Earth Conservation Projects
Almost 15 percent of the Earth's exterior land and ten percent of its oceans are being protected in some form. Earth conservation projects and organizations such as Ocean Conservancy, Blue Frontier Campaign, The Nature Conservancy, and many more are fighting for Earth preservation.
However, governments have been asked to commit to conserving 30 percent of the land and water by 2030. Furthermore, they are also asked to protect about and 50 percent by the year 2050. The research team finds this timeline quite slow and might not be enough to preserve enough of the remaining untouched surfaces of the Earth.
The research team warns that a conservation response that harmonizes agriculture and resource needs with the conservation of the ecological system and biodiversity is vital.
Jason Riggio, the lead author from the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, says that achieving the balance will be fundamental if they hope to meet earnest Earth preservation targets. Furthermore, he says that their study optimistically displays that those targets are within reach.
COVID-19 and its Implications on the Environment
Researchers say the coronavirus pandemic exemplifies the importance of cultivating natural lands. They also mentioned how important it is to separate animal and human activity.
SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus, which means it has been passed from animals to humans. The recent coronavirus is believed to have come from bats and has made its way to humans. Scientists have various theories on how the transfer happened, but none has been proven so far.
According to Professor Andrew Jacobson, a senior author of the study from Catawba College in North Carolina, stopping the trade and sale of wildlife can tremendously lessen the occurrence of pandemics. Moreover, minimizing intrusion into the wilderness would also help in preventing diseases such as COVID-19, the researchers say.
