Protection for 'weirdest' species (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A conservation programme for some of the world's most bizarre and unusual creatures has been launched by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

Species like the bumblebee bat and the pygmy hippopotamus will be protected under the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (Edge) project.

The scheme targets animals with unique evolutionary histories that are facing a real risk of extinction.

The ZSL says many of these species are ignored by existing conservation plans.

The Society defines Edge animals as having few close relatives, genetically distinct, and require immediate action to save them from extinction.


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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6263331.stm

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/top_100.asp

[appal_jack]

1. this is a great idea...

...because each isolated limb of the evolutionary tree can have really distinct and special abilities, ecological roles, and biochemistries.

It's been a while since my least botany class, but I believe that the ginkgo tree (whose leaves are therapeutic for memory and circulation issues) is a lone member species of the whole Ginkgoaceae family that was much more prolific millions of years ago. As of last century, the only remaining living ginkgoes were in monasteries in China. Had those monks chosen to forego the planting of those ginkgo trees, the world would be entirely without any member of that whole family. Now, thankfully, their seeds have been re-spread across the globe, and we are all able to continue to enjoy their beauty (serenely green in summer, breath-takingly gold in autumn), ecological benefits (ginkgoes can survive in even the most polluted cities), and health-giving properties.

I believe that during this time, we must all take on the roles of those Chinese monks: collect the species of plants and animals you love, and create spaces and habitats for them to continue to thrive. Once we get through the impending bottleneck/collapse, those carefully stewarded species will be all that we have to re-build an agriculture and culture again.

-app