Hunting retains wildlife

2003/06/10 Imaz Amiano, Eneko - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Ekologia

According to these researchers, the idea that hunting can benefit biodiversity has not been taken into account before. In fact, the debate about these sports focuses on cruelty and pest control. Hunters have long claimed that hunting, over time, favors the environment, according to a London hunting society spokesman.

Both in the UK and elsewhere, it is not difficult for biodiversity to be higher than that of intensive agriculture on hunting grounds. For two main reasons: on the one hand, in these agricultural lands are eliminated plants or animals that have no value for agriculture throughout the year, where diversity is reduced. On the other hand, being hunting grounds as a source of income, it is recommended and encourages the maintenance of animals, so these animals of interest remain at least.

But let no one think that this biodiversity increases thanks to the respect of hunters, that the respect is increasing, so that we accept it. In short, the consequence of both forms of exploitation is usually the increase or decrease of biodiversity and not the behavior of the people of each other. Even in military shooting zones, they say diversity is greater than in nearby peasant lands.

However, starting to exploit the land, we must not forget that there are many ways to practice agriculture or hunting, in addition to the intensive ones, which we could compare and choose the most suitable. And also, if the land is maintained, how much would biodiversity be?