https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/uow-nss073020.php
"Parasites have a public relations problem.
Unlike the many charismatic mammals, fishes and birds that receive our
attention (and our conservation dollars), parasites are thought of as
something to eradicate — and certainly not something to protect.
But only 4% of known parasites can infect humans, and the majority
actually serve critical ecological roles, like regulating wildlife that
might otherwise balloon in population size and become pests. Still, only
about 10% of parasites have been identified and, as a result, they are
mostly left out of conservation activities and research.
An international group of scientists wants to change that. About a dozen
leading parasite ecologists, including University of Washington's
Chelsea Wood, published a paper Aug. 1 in the journal Biological
Conservation, which lays out an ambitious global conservation plan for
parasites."
Via Muse, who wrote:
I remember as a child how some animals were considered expendable.
No more. We are just beginning to understand the value of diversity
and ecological balance.
Save the parasites!
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
