Giant pandas are not just a cute, cuddly animal that is loved by everyone, but they are also called an umbrella species. So saving pandas and preserving their habitats also protect many other species that live along pandas. A research found that 70% of China's endemic wildlife, mammals which can only be found in China, lives within the panda's geographic range and nature reserves. "There are a lot of species that are protected by the panda's range." says Stuart Pimm, the paper's senior author and Doris Duke Professor of Conservation at Duke University. Pandas do protect a lot of species but some species "fall outside the umbrella". Research found that about 116 species are not protected by the giant panda's current reserves.
However, scientists have found 10 locations that might be suitable for nature reserves to help expand that coverage. But protecting the new sites won't save all of China's special wildlife. “Pandas are a good umbrella species for forest ecosystems in China but that’s not enough. In China we have many ecosystems. We need more umbrella species.” says co-author Binbin Li, a PhD student at Duke. Pimm and Li say the new findings are important because many people doubt that China’s commitment to preserving giant panda habitats is doing much good. They also hope the paper will help Chinese authorities focus on which areas they should protect and to protect other species too, not just giant pandas.
I always loved pandas because they are so cute and fluffy but after reading this article, I love them even more because I learned they are umbrella species and protect other Chinese species. Everyone loves pandas too so investing in nature reserves that not only protect giant pandas, but other species too, is wonderful. Hopefully, more people will be aware about the fact that nature reserves are very important because they protect many species, and the Chinese government can focus on which areas to protect so they can build more reserves.
Source:http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/giant-panda-conservation/
Article by John R. Platt on September 16,2015
However, scientists have found 10 locations that might be suitable for nature reserves to help expand that coverage. But protecting the new sites won't save all of China's special wildlife. “Pandas are a good umbrella species for forest ecosystems in China but that’s not enough. In China we have many ecosystems. We need more umbrella species.” says co-author Binbin Li, a PhD student at Duke. Pimm and Li say the new findings are important because many people doubt that China’s commitment to preserving giant panda habitats is doing much good. They also hope the paper will help Chinese authorities focus on which areas they should protect and to protect other species too, not just giant pandas.
I always loved pandas because they are so cute and fluffy but after reading this article, I love them even more because I learned they are umbrella species and protect other Chinese species. Everyone loves pandas too so investing in nature reserves that not only protect giant pandas, but other species too, is wonderful. Hopefully, more people will be aware about the fact that nature reserves are very important because they protect many species, and the Chinese government can focus on which areas to protect so they can build more reserves.
Source:http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/giant-panda-conservation/
Article by John R. Platt on September 16,2015