Wednesday 6 February 2013

Desert diversity cut by 'human activities'

Scientists have discovered that humans might be damaging desert ecosystems across the world according to a new study, for example in the Monte desert in Argentina. . The results were published in the journal of arid environments which showed that humans are particular effecting mammal communities due to overgrazing livestock. This has resulted in diversity decreasing and local extinctions occurring. The results were from 25 studies including a total of110 species. As well as over grazing, Poaching, logging, grazing, fires and introduction of new species 


Species in arid environments need to be protected as surviving is very precarious as they are constantly exposed to extreme conditions which are very unpredictable. For example if their source of food is wiped out by fires or the soil being overgrazed turning it into shrub land then they can be easily wiped out. Fires can lead to new plants grouping round the scorched area posing a threat to the old wildlife.

 Scientists hope that sustainable livestock production is a management strategy that might help protect the biodiversity of these areas from human activities in the future.



D.Hart

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