Protecting biodiversity important in reducing carbon emissions: Expert

By Gulseli Kenarli

ISTANBUL (AA) - The climate crisis decreased the population of many living things that are serving as carbon sinks, according to a conservation expert.

"Whenever we increase our forest cover and protect more living things, we will take the climate crisis one step back,” Nilufer Arac, a senior conservation officer at World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Türkiye (WWF), told Anadolu.

The main cause of the climate crisis is the excessive emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere due to human activities, Arac said.

Due to reasons such as being hit by electric wires, shrinking habitats, and pesticides, there is a drop in the population of vultures that prevent greenhouse gas emissions, she noted.

Some whale species are also in danger of extinction, Arac added. "The life cycles of these species can be greatly affected by the climate crisis. The shifting of the seasons makes the living conditions of migratory species more difficult. It's messing up the system."

"It is possible to bring the climate crisis to the level that will cause the least damage, primarily by reducing our emissions and protecting the natural ecosystems we have,” she said.

“Like a domino, when you knock down a piece, the whole system is affected. ... Everyone needs to take responsibility and notice this, and change their lifestyle in this direction,” she added.

Some animal and plant species contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, as well as increasing the oxygen level in the atmosphere, according to data by WWF-Türkiye.

Vultures, which have 22 species in the world, prevent the increase of greenhouse gases through their eating habits. A vulture consumes an average of 0.2-1 kilograms (0.4-2.2 pounds) of carrion per day.

The world's 134-140 million vulture population prevents tens of millions of metric tons of emissions, and 1 kg of animal carcass causes 0.86 kg (1.9 lbs) of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions.

Also, seagrasses act as a carbon sink and increase the oxygen level in the environment. Mediterranean countries are assumed to store 11% to 42% of their carbon dioxide emissions.

Phytoplankton also produce about half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and about 40% of the carbon dioxide produced.

Whales accumulate carbon in their bodies and when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, trapping that carbon for hundreds of years. A large whale holds an average of 33 tons of carbon dioxide in its lifetime.

The UN marked May 22 as International Biological Diversity Day to raise awareness about the conservation of animal and plant species that ensure the continuity of living life. The theme of this year is From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara.