18/11/2023
Biodiversity loss can sound like 'none-of-my-business' to many people. This is understandable, as most of us live in modern society, where there is quite a bit of distance from the more natural and wilder parts of the world.
Little did we realize that biodiversity loss can happen right at our doorstep, as much possible as our consumption pattern can strangle a penguin half a planet away. In making our life tidier and more comfortable, sometimes we neglect the facts that other species around us need to live, too!
I grow up in Vietnam - a tropical country - rich in biodiversity and more terrifyingly, insects. I was terrified of cockroaches when I was smaller (still do now), while my sister was terrified of spiders (still do now, as well). The young me would not have minded if cockroaches are obliterated from the surface of Earth. It was not until I learned about the role of cockroaches within the ecosystem, which is a decomposer, that I start to accept such (personally) disgusting species a little bit more - they can live, but not close to me. While most cockroaches species, probably more than 4,000 species, are useful and important decomposers, not all of them are disgusting like the one I experienced. In fact, there are some pretty cool cockroaches (if their legs are not showing)!
For example, take a look at:
- This emerald-green Alpine Metallic Cockroach (Polyzosteria viridissima):
https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/111246459
- There is even a light-blue one (Panchlora kozaneki):
https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/98936057
- and this Mitchell's Diurnal Cockroach (Polyzosteria mitchelli):
https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/38108904
The point is, not all species of cockroach are terrifying, but my first negative perception of one species could have potentially lead to my lack of enthusiasm and support for their conservation. Our perception is, in this regards, very important for the protection of biodiversity.
=====
If you are interested in checking out how diverse species on this planet are, iNaturalist has an amazing image database contributed by the general public!
And what is even better than looking at different species? Rating them! The WASP project takes images from iNaturalist and ask you to rate species images based on how you feel about them.
Fancy contributing your cool perception for all sorts of species?
You are welcome to take the survey here: http://www.wasp-project.net/survey
Your perception will help researchers understand better how we, as individual humans and the society, perceive species differently, and what implications this knowledge can help in better protecting our biodiversity.
