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Biodiversity
is a contraction of 'biological diversity' and is a measure of the
variety of the Earth's animal, plant and microbial species; of the
differences between individuals and the ecosystems that support
those species.
Fires and logging have destroyed huge areas of forest in Borneo.
The hardwood forests are the natural habitat of the Orang-utan.
They have been reduced to eating the insides of tree bark. A local
naturalist tries to sedate and rescue an adult animal,
unsuccessfully. In an orang-utan rescue centre, we find orphan
animals left behind when their mothers were killed in the fires or
by loggers. The centre uses education in conservation and, where
necessary, the law to protect the orang-utan. In a moving scene, a
disturbed woman is persuaded to give up an orang-utan baby that she
is rearing as a substitute because her own baby died. Mature
animals are released into protected forest.
Rainham Marshes, Essex, is an SSSI - a Site of Special Scientific
Interest. It plays host to some rare animals - among them the water
vole and a marsh cricket. A business park is planned on the site
offering employment and prosperity to the area. Even if habitats
are set aside for the animals, the development will restrict their
freedom of movement.
What can you do?
Students can plant for wildlife, put up nesting boxes for bats and
birds and reduce the domestic use of weed killers. They can ask
questions. At the Site of Special Scientific Interest, a group of
school students confront a planning officer about the scheduled
development.
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