biodiversity 20 questions eng by ECBP VAC

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY ?

HOW DOES BIODIVERSITY SAFEGUARD WATER SUPPLY ?

HOW DOES BIODIVERSITY CREATE SOILS ? Soil is created from underlying rocks by the combined action of

HOW DOES BIODIVERSITY MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE ?

HOW CAN BIODIVERSITY PROTECE LANDS AND PROPERTY ?

WHAT IS THE USE OF GENETIC RESOURCES ?

Biodiversity is the total range of living things on this planet together with their processes, products and services. This includes

Genetic resources are the raw building blocks that plant and ani-

The roots of trees penetrate deep into the soil allowing water to

plant roots and micro-organisms that break down the parent ma-

The biggest contributor to excess greenhouse gases in the atmo-

Coral reefs around China’s southern coastal fringe and around

mal breeders use in their constant search to improve, bolster or

the functions of ecosystems, their component species and the

permeate and be absorbed during heavy rain. We call this the

terial and mix it with plant fibre and humus, recycle nutrients, and

sphere which is driving current climate change is not the energy

the South China Sea islets break the surge energy of wave action

adapt existing crops and domestic herds. Plant engineers seek

genetic variety within those species. Biodiversity includes the natu-

sponge effect. With a forest in place we get a year-round flow of

tie up some toxic metals. The most fertile soils are generated

sector but the global clearing of tropical forests and associated burn-

and tsunami’s, helping to protect coastlines and coastal proper-

new genes to increase disease resistance, drought tolerance or

ral ecosystems and wild species living in them but also man-modi-

filtered cleansed water. Without a forest we get flash floods when

under forest or in peatlands and dense vegetation cover is the

ing of surface peat and coal. The fastest and cheapest way to miti-

ties from erosion and tidal damage.

increase yields. Medical researchers look for new biologically ac-

fied ecosystems and the variety of domesticated species main-

it rains and droughts in the dry season. This hydrological function

best way to consolidate and protect soils from erosive forces of

gate climate change and create a net reduction in greenhouse gas

Mangroves stabilize silt both protecting the coral from being smoth-

tive compounds that can control blood pressure, anxiety, cure

is particularly important in China which has limited water resources

rain and weathering. When we open up soils for farming they

emissions is to stop cutting forests and allow regrowth on bare areas.

ered but also serving as storm shelter to villages and towns from

cancer and other diseases. Many stinging animals such as spiders,

in many regions and seasons and is highly prone to floods at

become gradually washed away and drained of their fertility. Farm-

China’s carbon footprint extends far beyond its own borders as China

typhoons. Coastal grasses and herbs bind loose sand and mud to

scorpions, snakes and some marine corals contain very potent

other times.

ers must compensate by applying costly artificial fertilizers. The

is now the world’s top importer of timber from many other countries.

form new lands. Along China’s east coast the coastline grows

compounds that should be researched. Some wild species have

Grasslands, peaty wetlands and lakes serve similar water sponge

value of soil formation processes in China is valued at $1-2 trillion

functions, holding back a large volume of water during the flood

per year and critical for agriculture.

tained within them (agro-biodiversity).

periods and releasing it gradually during dry spells for continued

seawards by several metres per year. These are extremely valu-

domestication potential to make new crops. Insignificant mihoutao

Mixed natural regrowth forest

able new lands for agriculture and real estate. They are in danger

was taken from China to New Zealand and there transformed by

after 10 years closure

of being lost back to the sea if either the vegetation is destroyed

plant breeding into the large succulent kiwi fruit and a new lucra-

or sea level rises too fast as a result of global warming. Shanghai

tive industry.

drinking, irrigation or hydropower purposes.

and Xiamen would fall into this hole. Ecosystem services that reduce floods, salinization and desertifi-

WHAT IS NATURAL BETTER THAN ARTIFICIAL ?

cation helps protect inland farms and property.

Natural ecosystems have their own balance and adaptability. They maintain and replace themselves cheaply without need of human

Land colonization along east coast

planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing or use of dangerous pesticides. They are more resistant to drought, fire, diseases and pests. Natural ecosystems have higher overall productivity, bet-

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT ? The air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we grow our crops on, the crops themselves, most of the medicines we take when we are ill, the parks and scenic spots we enjoy in our leisure moments even if only on television, the very climate that we take for granted and the coal and oil we burn so casually are all the products of biodiversity. If we neglect to protect this precious attribute of our only planet, mankind is certainly doomed.

ter soil forming and soil protection functions, better hydrological

HOW CAN BIODIVERSITY COMBAT DESERTIFICATION ?

Foreign tourists flock to China with ever fatter wallets to see the

functions and greater overall carbon fixation than simpler artificial

unique and fantastic scenery and wildlife. More than 200 million

farms or plantations. Alien species can harm natural ecosystem functions.

Much of China consists of the raised sea bed of the ancient Tethys

visitors come to China each year. Tourism currently earns China

WHY DOES BIODIVERSITY LOSS RESULT IN FLOODS ?

Sea. The underlying ground is made of stony and sandy sediments

100 billion RMB per annum. A huge industry of transport

that can be easily eroded by wind and rain if it loses its protective

communications, hotels, restaurants, souvenirs and destination fa-

The incidence of catastrophic floods in China has doubled over the past

vegetation. Most of these lands were not forested but they were

cilities has arisen and continues to grow. A large part of this is

few decades and this is largely due to loss of natural vegetation espe-

well protected by a vegetation turf comprised of soil trapped in a

dependent on biodiversity.

cially forests. Deforestation has caused a loss of the natural sponge

mesh of the roots of many grasses and other herbs. Grazing ani-

Domestic tourism grows even faster. Most visitors to parks are

WHAT PRODUCTS DOES BIODIVERSITY CENERATE ?

mals keep the herb layer short and encouraged plants to grow

Chinese nationals.

Biodiversity provides renewable sources of timber and fuel wood,

horizontally giving thicker turf. We have to maintain or re-establish

The domestic tourism industry grows even faster than the

mushrooms, honey, fish and game meat, fodder, edible fruits and

this natural vegetation if we are to reverse desertification. Over-

international. Most visitors to

vegetables. These products contribute up to 60% of the needs of

grazing by sharp-hoofed domestic animals such as sheep and goats

parks and na-

some rural communities. In China several thousand species are

bare lands exposed by loss of its vegetation cover. Even the incidence of

damages the turf, allows the wind to get underneath it and leads to

ture reserves in

regularly used in the production of Chinese Traditional Medicines

severe weather events that cause the floods is associated with global

the spread of dust and sand deserts. The process starts around

China are now

an industry now worth billions of $US per year. Biodiversity is a

wells and water troughs where domestic animals gather to drink.

domestic

rich prospecting ground for valuable genetic resources needed to

Degraded drylands can rapidly regenerate if protected from grazing.

nationals.

improve our crops and medicines.

created by tree roots; water that would have been taken up by plants and transpired directly into the atmosphere now flows directly into rivers. The rivers themselves which should act as drains to take away excess water in rainy periods are blocked with silt and gravel displaced from

warming brought about largely by deforestation. mushrooms and ginseng

HOW DOES BIODIVERSITY BOOST TOURISM ?

Loss of riparian forest due to river °∞straightening°± adds to the problem.

WHAT IS ECBP DOING TO HELP ?

WHO CARES IF WE LOSE SPECIES ?

The EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP) is a 51 million

Our lives are greatly en-

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DOES BIODIVERSITY PROVIDE ?

WHAT ARE THE MAIN THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY IN CHINA ?

cooperative programme between European Union and the Chi-

riched by wild animals and

Healthy ecosystems provide important roles of nutrient recycling,

Due to its huge population and fast economic growth, almost all

nese Government with three complementary objectives. The

plants. Humans have em-

purification of toxins and pollutants from the air, water and soils.

useful or valuable species in China are threatened by unsustain-

programme will demonstrate, in the field, ways in which biodiversity

braced wildlife into their

They provide living laboratories for the education and research

able over-collection. Habitats are threatened by clearance for other

conservation can be integrated into the lifestyles and land-use

cultures and art for

that allows us to deepen our understanding of the nature and

uses and fragmentation into smaller, more vulnerable, patches.

patterns of local communities across a wide range of different

centuries. We take inspi-

ecology of living things. Wild animals control many pests in our

Many habitats are degraded by drainage, fire- wood collection

ecological conditions in China. Secondly the programme is work-

ration from the tiger and

farms and villages and pollinate our vegetables and fruits. Open

and overgrazing. Wild animals are disturbed or displaced by hu-

ing to raise public and government awareness of the importance

the eagle, we admire the

green spaces allow us to unwind from our urban stress to return

man activity, dogs, cats or domestic animals. Some habitats are

of biodiversity and the need to conserve it more effectively. Fi-

intelligence of the dolphin

spiritually refreshed and with new heart to tackle our daily duties.

heavily polluted and important waterways are blocked by a multi-

nally the programme seeks ways to mainstream these concerns

and the elephant, the

into the policy and regulatory framework and action plans of national development.

WHAT USE ARE WILD ANIMALS ? Animals control the health and balance of ecosystems. Carnivores preserve the balance between herbivores and plants. Herbivores control the succession of vegetation. Bats and insects serve as vital pollinating agents for many plants including fruits and veg-

WHERE ARE WE ? Address: EU-China Biodiversity Programme Room 1005, Tengda Plaza No. 168, Xizhimenwai Street, Haidian District Beijing, 100044, P.R. China Fax: (8610) 8857 7811 Email: info@ecbp.cn, vac@ecbp.cn

etables we eat and flowers we admire. Animals act as seed dispersal agents for many plants. Water snails purify the water. Birds, frogs, ants, spiders and dragonflies control insect herbivorous pests

tude of dams and weirs that prevent passage between spawning areas and feeding areas for many fish and amphibians. Degraded

sweet song of birds, the smell of flowers and the gay flight of

lands are vulnerable to alien invasive species. Where lands have

colourful butterflies. For centuries Chinese monks have sought

been set aside as nature reserves, levels of management and law

quiet natural areas to meditate and seek peace. Different ethnic

enforcement remains weak. The situation is made worse because

minorities and religions respect animal life. Much that is sacred

public and local government alike fail to realize the importance of

and important in their daily lives is at risk. Local people depen-

biodiversity in underpinning their economic development.

dent on species lose their income.

that could threaten forests and crops as well as mosquito larvae ronmental welfare. When they disappear we are warned that some-

WHAT HAPPENS TO ECOSYSTEMS IF SPECIES ARE LOSE ?

thing serious is going wrong.

An ecosystem is like a building with many parts. You can remove

that threaten human health. Animals serve as indicators of envi-

bricks and beams from the building without apparent collapse but more vulnerable in the event of storm or earthquake. Holes allow

WHY SHOULD WE PRESERVE AGRO-BIODIVERSITY ?

wind and rain to penetrate the structure and degrade it faster.

Chinese eating is all about variety. We enjoy many types of meats,

Eventually if we continue removing parts the building will collapse.

many types of vegetables - agro-biodiversity. Even within species

Just so as we remove

we need many varieties. Food security of rice and maize depends

species from an

on maintaining hundreds of local varieties each adapted to differ-

ecosystem, it becomes

ent regions and conditions of China. The more variety we maintain

more fragile, less

the more options are open to plant breeders and genetic engineers

balanced,

less

to keep up production, reduce dependence on water and fertilizer,

productive, more vul-

increase disease resistance and adapt our crops and domestic ani-

nerable to disease, in-

mals to changing conditions such a climate change. There is a dan-

vasion by exotic weeds

ger local farmers will abandon ‘old’ varieties in favour of the new

or pests and eventually

products of the green revolution. We must ensure there is motiva-

it will degrade and

tion and compensation for broadening the genepool and maintain-

collapse.

ing the gene-lines of all the varieties we can.

each removal weakens the entire structure, rendering the building

cunning of the fox and the speed of the gazelle. We love the

Biodiversity Matters 20 Questions