Sustainability of Harvesting Wild Species (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Sustainability of Harvesting Wild Species

• Harvesting wild species can be a sustainable alternative to converting land for agriculture

• Sustainable harvesting relies on using traditional or low-impact methods that do not deplete resources

  • This approach can maintain ecosystem balance and biodiversity

Benefits of traditional harvesting

• Traditional methods are often sustainable because they use knowledge passed down through generations

  • This knowledge includes when, where, and how much to harvest without over-extracting resources

Examples of wild species harvesting

• Brazil nuts:

  • Harvested from mature Amazon forests without cutting down trees

  • Brazil nut trees rely on the surrounding ecosystem to reproduce

    • Specific bee species pollinate Brazil nut flowers

    • Agoutis (small rodents) spread the seeds

  • Keeping forests intact for nut harvesting supports local economies

  • Local communities benefit financially

    • This encourages rainforest preservation by local communities

  • E.g. in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia , Brazil nut harvesting supports communities and protects large areas of the Amazon

• Truffles:

  • A type of underground fungus harvested in forests in Europe and North America

  • Truffle harvesting uses trained dogs or pigs to locate them

    • This minimises disturbance to the forest ecosystem

  • Preserving forests benefits truffle production, as truffles decline when forests are cut down

  • E.g. France and Italy value truffles as delicacies, supporting forest preservation

• Bamboo:

  • Bamboo grows very quickly, allowing for sustainable harvesting

  • Harvesting mature bamboo shoots does not harm the plant

  • Bamboo provides materials for construction (e.g. flooring and roofing), furniture, cloth, paper and fuel

  • Young shoots can be harvested for food

  • E.g. in China and Southeast Asia, bamboo shoots provide income and reduce pressure on slower-growing trees

• Honey:

  • Bees collect nectar from forest plants, aiding plant pollination

  • Forest-based honey production needs undisturbed habitats for bees

    • This promotes forest conservation

  • E.g. in Ethiopia and India, forest honey production supports biodiversity whilst also providing income for rural communities

• Insects:

  • Edible insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles, are sustainable protein sources

  • Insects need minimal land and water

    • They also produce few greenhouse gases

  • Harvesting insects can reduce the demand on traditional livestock

Controversial and endangered species

• Pangolins:

  • Pangolins are hunted for scales (used in traditional medicine) and meat

  • Overharvesting and habitat loss threaten pangolin populations

  • Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and reducing demand

    • E.g. Southeast Asian countries regulate pangolin trade, but poaching remains an issue

• Bears (for bile and other parts):

  • Bear bile is traditionally used in some Asian medicines

    • It is often obtained through inhumane farming methods or illegal poaching

  • This demand has caused declines in some bear populations, e.g. sun bears, Asian black bears, sloth bears

  • Synthetic and herbal alternatives are being developed to reduce demand

• Bushmeat:

  • Hunting wild animals for food is common in tropical regions, especially Africa and Asia

  • Overhunting disrupts ecosystems and endangers species

  • Alternative food sources, education, and enforcement of wildlife protection laws can help reduce reliance on bushmeat

    • E.g. some conservation groups in Africa are working to provide alternative livelihoods to hunters, such as farming and eco-tourism, to reduce bushmeat demand

Considerations for sustainable harvesting

• Harvesting wild species sustainably can actually help to preserve biodiversity in some contexts (e.g. harvesting of brazil nuts and forest honey)

  • These sustainable practices can support ecosystems

  • However, overharvesting of wild species can harm food webs and habitat stability

• Role of legal regulations:

  • Regulations are essential to ensure sustainable practices and protect endangered species

  • Many countries have laws to protect wildlife but need effective enforcement and community involvement