Habitat from scratch helps as Maryland Coastal Bays lose bird-breeding islands
Introduction
The loss of bird-breeding islands in the Maryland Coastal Bays has prompted efforts to create new habitats from scratch. This article explores the importance of these efforts in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Maryland Coastal Bays and the SDGs
The Maryland Coastal Bays are a vital ecosystem that supports a diverse range of wildlife, including many bird species. However, the loss of bird-breeding islands due to erosion and rising sea levels threatens the biodiversity of this region. This issue aligns with several SDGs, including:
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable use of coastal resources.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and biodiversity.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, including sea-level rise.
Creating Habitat from Scratch
To address the loss of bird-breeding islands, conservation organizations and local communities have been working together to create new habitats from scratch. These efforts involve building artificial islands and restoring existing marshes to provide suitable nesting grounds for birds.
Benefits of Habitat Creation
The creation of new habitats has several benefits:
- Preserving Biodiversity: By providing nesting grounds for birds, these habitats help preserve the biodiversity of the Maryland Coastal Bays.
- Protecting Ecosystem Services: Birds play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. By creating habitats for birds, we ensure the continued provision of ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control.
- Climate Resilience: The restoration of marshes and creation of artificial islands can help mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise and storm surges.
Conclusion
The loss of bird-breeding islands in the Maryland Coastal Bays is a significant concern for both wildlife conservation and the achievement of the SDGs. The efforts to create habitat from scratch demonstrate the importance of taking action to protect and restore ecosystems in the face of environmental challenges. By aligning with the SDGs, these efforts contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for the Maryland Coastal Bays.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the loss of bird-breeding islands in Maryland Coastal Bays, which is directly related to the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
The article highlights the need for habitat restoration and protection to address the loss of bird-breeding islands and prevent further degradation of natural habitats.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 14.2: Number of marine and coastal protected areas established or managed.
- Indicator for SDG 15.5: Extent of forest, wetland, and other natural habitat restored.
The article suggests that creating habitat from scratch can help mitigate the loss of bird-breeding islands, indicating the importance of establishing or managing marine and coastal protected areas. Additionally, the restoration of natural habitats, such as wetlands, can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | Number of marine and coastal protected areas established or managed. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Extent of forest, wetland, and other natural habitat restored. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: cbsnews.com
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