Editorial
Ibises dumping their eggs teach us a lesson on biodiversity
The fact that a pair of Japanese crested ibises -- which had been released into nature after being raised at a conservation center -- dumped all three of their eggs from their nest has shown that nature never works as people expect.
Many people have apparently been disappointed because it would have been the first time in 34 years for an ibis chick to be hatched in the wild.
However, Japanese crested ibises have their own reasons for dumping their eggs. Experts say ibises can dump their eggs if they are infertile, or if they are fertile but not growing steadily. Since the ibises concerned are still young, experts pointed to the possibility that the eggs were infertile.
This year is designated by the United Nations as the International Year for Biodiversity. In October, the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Nagoya. Under the circumstances, biodiversity has drawn attention from the public, and the Japanese crested ibis has emerged as a symbol of biodiversity.
The government's national strategy for biodiversity also calls for efforts to reintegrate Japanese crested ibises into nature. Japanese-born ibises became extinct when the last remaining bird died in 2003, and the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center on Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture -- set up by the Environment Ministry -- have artificially bred the birds using ibises borrowed from China.
A diverse ecosystem supported by the long history of evolution is indispensable for water circulation and soil formation, and also serves to prevent natural disasters. It also brings about a wide variety of food and helps develop diverse pharmaceutical products. Above all, diverse nature is beautiful.
Japanese crested ibises draw attention from many people obviously because they are fascinated by the birds in flight, their bright red wings spread wide. However, if people simply worry about whether ibis eggs will hatch, problems involving biodiversity cannot be solved.
On Sado Island, many rice paddies are filled with water even in winter and so-called biotopes -- areas where a wide variety of creatures can live -- have been created as feeding grounds for ibises. A growing number of farmers there are reducing their use of agricultural chemicals and chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, ibis-brand rice is being grown on the island.
Efforts to conserve Japanese crested ibises have demonstrated that taking a strong interest in one species will contribute to overall biodiversity in the region concerned. Organically grown rice and other value-added products have been created as by-products. Similar things have happened in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, where efforts have been made to reintegrate storks into nature.
It goes without saying that such efforts cost a hefty sum, and require farmers to weed their farmland manually. However, there are consumers who are willing to pay additional money to buy such value-added agricultural products. A survey conducted by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry and other bodies shows that compared to consumers who do not know about the stork protection program, consumers who do more willing to pay extra for agricultural products grown in a way that does not affect the birds. The same is probably true for the protection of other endangered species.
An attack by a marten on Japanese crested ibises kept at the Sado conservation center has raised questions regarding biodiversity. It is human beings that brought martens onto the island. There are debates on whether to get rid of the animals, but for martens, such talk is nothing but human selfishness.
There appear to be a few other pairs of Japanese crested ibises on Sado Island that have laid eggs. It is a good opportunity for people to think about biodiversity in the environment surrounding them while patiently waiting for chicks to hatch.
Click here for the original Japanese story
(Mainichi Japan) May 4, 2010