Conservation and Research of the Crested Ibis

Conservation and Research of the Crested Ibis

MENG GAO

300206414

Instructor: Dale Donovan

03/03/2014

Diversity of species plays an extremely important role in the human ecosystem. The extinction of one species may lead to the extinction of dozens of associated species. Thus, the demise of a certain species may result in the imbalance and even collapse of the entire ecosystem. Therefore, protecting and saving endangered species has a significant importance in maintaining the ecological balance and increasing the diversity of the ecosystem.

The Crested ibis is a unique and precious waterfowl from China. It is one of the world's most endangered birds. It has survived for nearly 25 million years on Earth, but since this species was discovered, it went from being prosperous to the brink of extinction in no more than a century(Ding C Q 2002). The Crested ibis was widely distributed in Asia, but because of the destruction of the ecological environment that was caused by the production and living of human beings, the number of Crested ibis has become less and less. It was even thought to be extinct. It has an important scientific research value in terms of morphology, physiology, auxanology, genetics and disease prevention(Fan Z Y 2000). But since seven wild Crested ibises were found in Yang county of ShanXi province, after twenty years of observation and experiment, our protection workers have basically mastered the artificial feeding method and living habits of crested ibis. In recent years, the protection of the crested ibis has made remarkable achievements. The number of wild crested ibis has also been increased from seven to about six hundred. Since the majority of the habitat and activities areas of the Crested Ibis are located in Yang county, the level of economic development and the degree of protection of the ecological environment in the this county are directly related to the habitat and breeding of crested ibis(Liu D P et...