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Abundant Biodiversity Of Uganda

Uganda is a very diverse destination with many unique activities that you can do while on a safari. This a complete Guide highlighting the top things to do in Uganda  while on a safari.

Abundant biodiversity of Uganda

Uganda has got a large number of biodiversity such as plants and the animals that have attracted a large number of clients from different destinations. Uganda has got animals such as the gorillas which have played a big role in attracting many clients.

The combination of population expansion and resource exploitation is the primary threat to the planet’s biodiversity and, consequently, to human welfare. Resources are being extracted from the environment in an unsustainable manner while the human population needs them to live and thrive. The three biggest immediate risks to biodiversity are the introduction of exotic species, habitat loss, and overfishing. The first two of these are a direct outcome of resource utilization and population expansion. Increased trade and mobility lead to the third.

Anthropogenic climate change, the fourth major driver of extinction, has not yet had a significant effect but is expected to do so this century. The need for energy by the human population and the usage of fossil fuels to meet those needs are further causes of global climate change. Environmental problems, including hazardous contamination, have direct affects on particular species, although they are not typically seen as dangers on the same scale as the others.

Biodiversity Conservation the importance of Uganda.

Biodiversity is the term for the diversity of life on earth, which encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, species, and genetic variations. Given its small size in Africa, Uganda has an astonishingly rich biodiversity. For example, 1,020 of the 2,000 bird species found in Africa, or 10% of all bird species, may be found here. Similarly large numbers of mammals (345), reptiles (142), amphibians (86), fish (501), butterflies (1,242), and higher plants (4,500) can also be found. Western Uganda is the northernmost portion of the Albertine Rift, which is home to the greatest number of endangered and endemic vertebrates on the continent (www.albertinerift.org). There are a large number of taxa that have not been studied, but considering the diversity of environments throughout the nation, it is anticipated that the number of species will be rather significant.

Uganda’s diverse animals, ecosystems, and genetic diversity all offer business prospects in addition to being important for conservation. The number of tourists visiting this nation keeps growing due to the variety of ecosystems, large beasts, and birds. In 2012, Uganda was named the greatest destination by the Lonely Planet website due to the wide range of activities and landscapes available. Additionally, genetic variety has the potential to be economically significant, notably for the pharmaceutical sector, which is collaborating with Ugandan traditional healers to test plant medicines.

Threats to Biodiversity Conservation.

The demand for land brought on by an expanding human population poses the biggest challenge to Uganda’s efforts to conserve biodiversity. Biodiversity is often neglected due to competing land-use options (agricultural, logging, mining, oil and gas development). In contrast to the past, when human towns and agricultural regions were islands among a vast mosaic of natural habitat, this is now the case. Disease, overfishing, and climate change have all contributed to the decline or extinction of various species. Therefore, it is imperative to protect Uganda’s remaining protected areas.

Extinction.

The global extinction of a species. In the course of geological time, there have been five major extinctions, and extinction rates were particularly high at these times. Due to human activity, Earth is presently going through its sixth major extinction. Extinction still happens at a low rate, the background extinction rate, even when catastrophic extinctions are not happening. Another issue with regard to conservation is the local eradication of a species (extirpation).

Habitat loss.

Habitat destruction, which involves changing the natural environment to the point where a species can no longer survive there, and habitat fragmentation, which is separating a habitat into discrete sections, are both examples of habitat loss.

Pollution.

The discharge of hazardous substances or other items into the environment is referred to as pollution. Climate change and acid deposition are two effects of several types of air pollution. Eutrophication is the outcome of excessive fertilizer use polluting water bodies with nutrients.

Climate Change.

When fossil fuels are burned for energy, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are released, which contribute to climate change. Climate change causes unpredictable weather patterns in addition to raising the world’s average temperature. Species range shifts, mismatched biotic interactions, sea level rise, and ocean acidification are just a few of the ways that climate change impacts biodiversity.

Over exploitation.

Overexploitation refers to the removal of organisms more quickly than their replenishment. Elephant poaching, unsustainable hunting for bush meat, overfishing, and excessive gathering of slow-growing flora and fungi are a few examples.

Invasive Species.

Animals or plants that are invasive are those from another part of the planet that don’t belong in their new habitat. Ship ballast water, an unintentional release, and individuals are the most common ways that they are introduced to an area.

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