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The Bialowieza Forest, running between Poland and Belarus, is most noted for its incredible variety of trees. But logging is threatening not just these age-old trees but also the diverse wildlife dependent on them.

Spanning the two European countries of Poland and Belarus, the Bialowieza Forest is spread across more than 1.400 sq.km. Dominated by primeval (old-growth) forests, the region is of great significance in eco-conservation since it clearly shows on-going natural processes in areas that have remained undisturbed over years. This preserved forest ecosystem is marked by dead wood as much as live wood, with the former helping many species of fungus and insects (and, in turn, birds) live. The forest was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and one of the few cross-country sites in the world. The Bialowieza National Park in Poland is part of the forest. The primary forest is home to broad-leaved trees in addition to vasular plants such as conifers, and supports a variety of wildlife. However, over the last few years, conservationists have been worried about human interference that could possibly ruin the region. This includes logging too.

Wildlife

The forest is home to more than 50 mammal species, 250 bird species, and several reptile and invertebrate species. In addition to the European bison, the mammals in the region include beavers, moose, lynx, wolves, stags, deer, boars, otters, and elk. Among the birds that can be spotted here are woodpeckers, eagles, owls, flycatchers, warblers, tree-creepers, black birds, tits, nuthatches, starlings, wrynecks, pigeons, wrens, robins, buzzards, and hawks.

Threats

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the conservation outlook for the forest in the latest assessment cycle (2020) has been that of "significant concern". It is said that the forest intitially comprised two national parks. However, about eight years ago, more areas were brought under the UNESCO site, and this brought about management issues because at least three forest management districts entered the picture. Further, within just two years of this expansion, logging activity increased in the forest By 2018, logging was halted through a court ruling. But there are concerns because thefelling of trees impacts creatures dependent on them, both directly and indirectly. This could lead to loss of habitat, species, and eventually biodiversity.

Because of the absence of an integrated boundary, which will make management easier, the forest is likely to be subjected to different kinds of approaches depending upon the governments ruling the respective countries. And this is not good news for the region since continuity and focussed methods are crucial for the upkeep and protection of any natural habitat.

Further, Bialowieza, just like almost all regions of the world, is threatened by climate change. This again means potential crises related to water and weather conditions in the region, in addition to crisis for wildlife themselves. Another potential area of concern is a type of swine fever affecting the wild boar population of the region. Their population is already threatened by human hunting.

Picture Credit : Google 

Brazil's snake island or Ilha de Queimada Grande is one of the world's deadliest islands as it has the highest concentration of venomous pit vipers in the world. It is the only known home of the Golden Lancehead whose venom is five times stronger  than that of any mainland snake and eats away at flesh and tissue. The Brazilian government strictly controls visits to the uninhabited island. However, wildlife smugglers called "bio pirates" illegally catch and sell the snakes for upto US$10,000-30,000 for a single Golden Lancehead.

Located approximately 33 kilometres (21 mi) off the coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, the island is approximately 430,000 square metres (110 acres) in area. The island ranges in elevation from sea level to 206 metres (676 ft) above sea level. The island has a temperate climate that is similar to that of its neighbouring island Nimer. 0.25 square kilometres (62 acres) of the island is covered by rain forest; the remaining areas consist of barren rocks and open grassland. Queimada Grande ranges from an average of 18.38 °C (65.08 °F) in August to 27.28 °C (81.10 °F) in March, and rainfall ranges from 0.2 millimetres (0.0079 in) per month in July to 135.2 millimetres (5.32 in) in December. The snakes became trapped on the island thousands of years ago following the end of the last ice age when rising ocean levels disconnected the island from the mainland. The ensuing selection pressure allowed the snakes to adapt to their new environment, increasing rapidly in population and rendering the island dangerous to public visitation.

Credit : Wikipedia 

Picture Credit : Google 

 Located in a relatively remote corner of Oman, the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary once covered an area of about 27,500 sq.km. One of the largest and important wildlife reserves in the Middle East, it is known for a remarkably unique desert system. While the sanctuary is famous for its role in the Arabian oryx conservation story, it is equally infamous for having been the first UNESCO World Heritage Site to be delisted.

Following the Arabian oryx conservation efforts, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value in 1994. However, in 2007, the property was delisted. "The World Heritage Committee deleted the property because of Oman's decision to reduce the size of the protected area by 90 %, in contravention of the Operational Guidelines of' UNESCO's 1972 Convention. This was seen by the Committee as destroying the outstanding universal value of the site". Oman reduced the size since oil was found in the region.

Flora and fauna

The sanctuary nurtures a diverse variety of plants, including many that are endemic to the region. In addition to the flora, the sanctuary also supports a wide variety of tenacious animals and birds, including its flagship species, the endangered houbara bustard (the sanctuary is its breeding site), Nubien ibex, Arabian wolves, honey badgers, and the largest population of Arabian sand gazelles.

Hope and opportunities

Oman had kept the sanctuary fenced off from the public for decades. However, towards the end of 2017, it opened up the sprawling space to visitors. It is believed that since its oil revenues were dipping, Oman turned to something else from the region that's almost as precious - the Arabian oryx. The oryx numbers in the region are said to have been about 750 back then, offering Oman the promise of public interest in ecotourism. And not just that.

Conservation story

The sanctuary is also the place where an incredible conservation story originated. With hunting, the last Arabian oryx in Oman disappeared from the wild in 1972. As captive breeding sparked a ray of hope, as many as 10 of these animals were released into the Sanctuary in the 1980s. Over a period of time, the animal numbers grew. But then, when the area spanning the sanctuary shrank and poaching killed many animals, hope was lost. This was followed by the UNESCO delisting.

As mentioned earlier, the sanctuary also hosts a large number of Arabian gazelles (also known as sand gazelles) - the population stood at a comforting 850.

It is said that there are at least 12 species of trees that offer a natural habitat for a variety of birds. So while tourism efforts are welcome opportunities for both the sanctuary and its inhabitants, there's the concern that it could also spell the return of poaching and hunting, which was the reason for the oryx going extinct in the first place.

Picture Credit : Google