SECTION 4:
Today we continue our series on ecology and conservation with a look at a particularly endangered member of the black bear family. One in ten black bears is actually born with a white coat, which is the result of a special gene that surfaces in a few. Local people have named it ‘the spirit bear’. And according to the legends of these communities, its snowy fur brings with it a special power. Because of this, it has always been highly regarded by them—so much that they do not speak of seeing it to anyone else. It is their way of protecting it when strangers visit the area.
The white bear’s habitat is quite interesting. The bear’s strong relationship with the old-growth rainforest is a complex one. The white bear relies on the huge centuries-old trees in the forest in many ways. For example, the old-growth trees have extremely long roots that help prevent erosion of the soil along the banks of the many fish streams. Keeping these banks intact is important because these streams are home to salmon, which are the bear’s main food source. In return, the bear’s feeding habits nurture the forest. As the bears eat the salmon, they discard the skin and bones in great amounts on the forest floor, which provide vital nutrients. These produce lush vegetation that sustains thousands of other types of life forms, from birds to insects and more.
Today, the spirit bear lives off the coast of the province of British Columbia on a few islands. There is great concern for their survival since it is estimated that less than two hundred of these white bears remain. The best way to protect them is to make every effort to preserve the delicate balance of their forest environment—in other words, their ecosystem.
The greatest threat to the bear’s existence is the loss of its habitat. Over many years, logging companies have stripped the land by cutting down a large number of trees. In addition, they have built roads which have fractured the areas where the bear usually feeds, and many hibernation sites have also been lost. The logging of the trees along the streams has damaged the places where the bears fish. To make matters worse, the number of salmon in those streams is declining because there is no legal limit on fishing at the moment.
All these influences have a negative impact on the spirit bear’s very existence, which is made all the more fragile by the fact that reproduction among these bears has always been disappointingly low.
And so, what’s the situation going forward? Community organizations, environmental groups, and the British Columbia government are now working together on the problem. The government is now requiring logging companies to adopt a better logging method, which is a positive step. However, these measures alone may not be sufficient to ensure a healthy population of the spirit bear in the future.
Other steps also need to be taken. While it is important to maintain the spirit bear’s habitat, there also needs to be more emphasis on its expansion. The move is justified as it will also create space for other bears that are losing their homes…
VOCABULARY:
- 1. ecology /ɪˈkɒlədʒi/ (n) – The study of how living things interact with their environment.
SYN: environmental science
Example: Ecology helps us understand the balance of nature. - 2. conservation /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən/ (n) – The protection and preservation of nature.
SYN: protection, preservation
Example: Forest conservation is critical to saving wildlife habitats. - 3. legend /ˈlɛdʒənd/ (n) – A traditional story or myth.
SYN: myth, folklore
Example: The legend of the spirit bear is cherished by the local people. - 4. erosion /ɪˈroʊʒən/ (n) – The process by which soil or rock is worn away.
SYN: wearing away, degradation
Example: Tree roots help prevent soil erosion. - 5.intact /ɪnˈtækt/ (adj) – Unbroken or undamaged.
SYN: undamaged, whole
Example: The ancient forest remains intact despite logging in nearby areas. - 6. nurture /ˈnɜːrtʃər/ (v) – To care for and help something grow.
SYN: foster, support
Example: Bears nurture the forest by spreading nutrients. - 7. vital nutrients /ˈvaɪtl ˈnuːtriənts/ (n) – Essential substances needed for growth and health.
SYN: essential nutrients, key nutrients
Example: The salmon remains provide vital nutrients for the forest. - 8. lush vegetation /lʌʃ ˌvɛdʒɪˈteɪʃən/ (n) – Thick and healthy plant life.
SYN: dense greenery, flourishing plants
Example: The bear’s activity supports lush vegetation in the forest. - 9. sustain /səˈsteɪn/ (v) – To keep something going or maintain it.
SYN: maintain, support
Example: Salmon populations help sustain the spirit bear’s survival. - 10. survival /sərˈvaɪvəl/ (n) – The act of staying alive.
SYN: existence, continuance
Example: The bear’s survival depends on the forest’s health. - 11. delicate /ˈdɛlɪkət/ (adj) – Easily broken or damaged.
SYN: fragile, sensitive
Example: The delicate balance of the ecosystem must be preserved. - 12. preserve /prɪˈzɜːrv/ (v) – To keep something safe or in good condition.
SYN: protect, maintain
Example: Efforts are being made to preserve the spirit bear’s habitat. - 13. strip the land /strɪp ðə lænd/ (v) – To remove all vegetation or trees from an area.
SYN: clear the land, deforest
Example: Logging companies strip the land, destroying habitats. - 14. habitat /ˈhæbɪtæt/ (n) – The natural home of an animal or plant.
SYN: environment, home
Example: The spirit bear’s habitat is being threatened by logging. - 15. fracture /ˈfræktʃər/ (v) – To break or split something.
SYN: break, split
Example: Roads have fractured the areas where the bears feed. - 16. hibernation /ˌhaɪbərˈneɪʃən/ (n) – A state of deep sleep during winter.
SYN: winter sleep, torpor
Example: Many hibernation sites for the bears have been destroyed. - 17. no legal limit /noʊ ˈliːɡəl ˈlɪmɪt/ (n) – No restriction enforced by law.
SYN: no restriction, unregulated
Example: Overfishing continues because there is no legal limit on salmon catches. - 18. fragile /ˈfrædʒaɪl/ (adj) – Easily broken or harmed.
SYN: delicate, vulnerable
Example: The spirit bear’s population is extremely fragile. - 19. reproduction /ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən/ (n) – The process of producing offspring.
SYN: breeding, propagation
Example: The bear’s low reproduction rate is a major concern. - 20. logging companies /ˈlɒɡɪŋ ˈkʌmpəniz/ (n) – Businesses that cut down trees for timber.
SYN: timber companies, forestry firms
Example: Logging companies are adopting better methods to protect the forest. - 21. adopt /əˈdɒpt/ (v) – To start using a new method or idea.
SYN: embrace, implement
Example: The government is requiring companies to adopt sustainable practices. - 22. logging method /ˈlɒɡɪŋ ˈmɛθəd/ (n) – A specific way of cutting down trees.
SYN: forestry technique, harvesting method
Example: A better logging method could reduce the damage to bear habitats. - 23. justify /ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ/ (v) – To give reasons for something being right.
SYN: validate, defend
Example: The move to expand habitats is justified by the need to save wildlife.