A protected area refers to a geographical position identified and set aside by government agencies with the aid of legal processes to conserve nature, ecosystems and maintenance of cultural values (Sumida & Valente, 2019). Protected areas include Community conserved spaces, National Parks, Nature Reserves, among other portions set aside for the same purpose. Such protected areas provide habitat for life on earth and sometimes become a beneficial resource for the local community livelihood through food, herbs, clean water, and even defense mechanisms for natural calamities. The paper will look into the significance of protected areas and the supporting evidence of gains resulting from the same.
Protected areas are very significant in the conservation of nature and ensuring the preservation of biodiversity. Local communities must uphold the rules set for preserving protected areas since they play a crucial role in storing terrestrial carbon that may contribute to global warming. According to Sumida & Valente (2019), saved locations help absorb most of the carbon emitted by growing industries, allowing the locals to enjoy fresh air supply. Maintaining water quality is crucial for human health, and protected areas play a primary role since most Rivers flow from them. Another important significance of protected areas is ensuring food security by providing resilience to changes in climate. Due to human activities, the weather is bound to change hence affecting the planting and harvesting seasons. Protected areas help develop a stout resilience to such changes, thus ensuring continued food production. In the long run, it also contributes to a reduction in poverty levels and maintains cultural values.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Multiple examples hold evidence on the significance of protected areas. Being the first National park elected in the USA, the Yellowstone has protected biodiversity ever since 1872 (Richards, 2018). The national park has provided a home for wildlife like America's largest buffalo herd, grizzly bears, and wolves. It has contributed to the countries' ability to maintain and care for wildlife besides creating an enjoyment facility for locals and foreigners. The national park has employed about 400 permanent staff and another 300 casuals. Therefore, it is a source of livelihood, through employment, for many individuals, thus reducing poverty levels.
The US government has managed to preserve cultural and historical values through the development of protected areas. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument elected by the US government in 2013 holds symbolic value to both citizens and foreigners. The park reminds the people of freedom from slavery during the 3rd World War. Harriet Tubman, who dedicated her life to freedom activism, helps empower upcoming heroes. The monumental park helps to create a culture of honoring the brave heroes. It has also produced jobs for locals.
Protected areas help provide food security together with clean water for human use. Several rivers have their sources from protected areas. For example, the Colorado Waterway has its origin from the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. It provides a habitat to aquatic life, contributing to biodiversity. It supplies water to metropolitan Los Angeles, and the Central Arizona Project delivers to Phoenix and Tucson areas. The All-American Canal runs water for the Imperial Valley of southern California. It is an agricultural region converted from a desert that ensures global food security. The Grand Canyon National Park's existence delivers excellent support to many states and hence the need for its conservation, Richards (2018).
In conclusion, if there had not existed protected areas, most countries would face the wrath of global warming. Moreover, due to changing climatic conditions, there would exist the risk of food insecurities. Protected areas have played a key role in ensuring clean water supply, fresh air and enhanced food security. In most states, protected areas act as enjoyment parks for locals and even developing an artistic touch that allows the conservation of cultural practices and values. In light of these, governments worldwide must identify ways of maintaining, managing and growing the size of protected areas to continue providing jobs for its people.
References
Richards, R. (2018). Measuring Conservation Progress in North America. Center of American
Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/reports
Sumida, S. S., & Valente, R. A. (2019). Multicriterial evaluation in the definition of protected
areas at the Piedade municipality, Sp. Revista Árvore, 43(3).
