Each species plays a role in the ecosystem, contributing to the balance and functioning of the planet. Rhinos are herbivores; cheetahs and wild dogs are hunters; hyenas and vultures are scavengers. This provides stability and resilience to the African ecosystem.
The main threats to wildlife include poaching and illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, overutilization of land, and pollution.
Efforts
Wildlife conservation isn’t just about protecting the endangered animals, but also about protecting the habitats in which they live. Without safe spaces, species cannot breed and raise their young, putting their future survival at risk. Conservation’s main goal is to protect a species but that also includes preserving their habitat to ensure sustainability of all the inhabitants of an area.
Research
While there has been research done on conservation projects and intervention, there has never been a comprehensive meta-analysis of the impact of conservation action, until now. The International Union for Conservation of Nature funded the first study of its kind, covering over a century of conservation action, that included 186 studies and 665 trials, looking at the impact of conservation interventions globally compared to what happened where no intervention was taken.
The meta-analysis found that in 2/3 of the cases, conservation efforts either improved biodiversity over time or slowed the decline. It also revealed that interventions targeted as specific species are highly effective and have a large effect on habitat areas and ecosystem management.
