The Network of Humans, the Environment, and Wildlife

March 22, 2022

Written by: Caroline Kim

Interview/Information: Professor Heidi Marcum (Baylor University)

Our human interaction directly with the environment is significant, but so is the way we interact with animals and wildlife. This is where the topic of ecology comes into play; this week I got to interview Professor Heidi Marcum from Baylor University. I learned some important information from the interview, so of course I’m sharing it here. Here is a quick dive into the world of the significance of human interaction with wildlife/nature: the issues, the practices, and the solutions.

In terms of solving the issue, we have to get to the root of the issue before we can think about solving it. There are several significant correlations between humans and wildlife, which, according to Professor Marcum, can be a major concern: Humans are causing extinction of species because of the habitat we obtain. An overgrowth of the human population not only causes us to take up more space, but we also deplete many natural resources that are crucial to the survival of animals. When we use up too many resources, animals/plants are often forced to switch diets or ecosystems in an effort to simply survive. Even when visiting parks, our mere presence could cause sensitivity to the birds, resulting in them not wanting to raise their young in the area. Professor Marcum notes that her study on birds showed data that larger birds were more sensitive to human presence, than smaller birds were. So, if a bald eagle were to be prevalent in an area, a consideration would be to reserve an area for them, where humans won’t be a distraction. This train of thought might lead you to the topic of animal captivity. Animals that are kept captive may be “safer”, but they are deprived of freedom: they lack the ability to hunt, lack privacy, and are often surrounded by smaller groups of their own kind.

Now that the issues have been discussed, we can move on to the solutions to the concerns mentioned above. Continuing on, to improve the life of captive animals, a solution might be to provide them with puzzle boxes for food and a rotation system where certain animals receive a time of privacy without humans staring at them all day. In places like SeaWorld, incorporating more educational info (besides just enjoyment) allows for the education of the public while raising awareness. An important term introduced to me by Professor Marcum is biophilia: innate love for the environment and nature. Connecting with nature is good for humans as well (direct health benefits from having pets), not just for animals. This means that even by educating the public on how they can help wildlife, major change can ensue. Understanding that location causes variation in how to approach issues is also important. For example, if you live in the countryside, you can leave a row of trees and rodents out in the wild for predators. If you live in the suburbs, plant bushes/plants, if you live in the desert, plant species of plants that accommodate the dry environment, and if you live in the inner city, consider gardening. We can have a positive impact by consuming locally grown foods, using energy efficient transportation/public transit, creating incentives to preserve land, and volunteering with wildlife protection groups. Every little action can accumulate, and preserve not only the environment but also those inhabiting it.

Special Thank you to Professor Marcum for taking the time to talk to me about wildlife!

Sources:

Professor Heidi Marcum (Baylor University) (Interview)