Rare species are more than mere numbers

We know we are in the 6th extinction. Now, new research by Jarome Ali and others at the Imperial College, London, tells us that in the case of birds, the most unique will go first. This, they say, means the ecosystem services they provide will be lost.

I spoke with Indian scientists and concluded two island species were the uniqueness chart toppers. This is no surprise —islands are unique and isolated, so they house many more rarities. My two birds were both from the southeastern most part of India — the Narcondam Hornbill and the Nicobar Pigeon. Both these birds are unique and rare. But they aren’t passive jewels either. Both of these birds are known to be important pollinators. They help plants multiply on their respective islands. Infact, with the Narcondam Hornbill, the island will lose it’s key pollinator, and face disruption, as Imperial College researchers generically suggest.

What can one say in the face of such science? We talk about the collapse with the loss of honey bees, but the case of birds is likely similar. Other research suggests protecting rarities. But first, identify rarities not only as birds few in number, but those found exclusively in niche ecosystems. All policymaking across the world should acknowledge ecosystem services of diverse species as the backbone of life. That will make it harder to externalise the cost of disruption. It could even put the 6th extinction into slow motion.