Page 12 - ATA

A14 LOCAL
Tuesday 20 augusT 2019

Insular Echo Alert Episode XXXI

Flying mammals

Our fragile local biosphere is about the tiny regions of the surface of our
planet that sustains life of species not found elsewhere. Life can only han-
dle as much stress which economic progress demands of it. Revenue
seekers in most of the time do not consider a green approach. Conse-
quences are in our face, results of a free for all attitude ignoring irrepara-
ble damage to the island as whole as our sustainable economic asset as
top tourist destination. Lessons learned here and elsewhere must be put
in action. Isn’t it exactly our nature, plants and animals that really take
care of our ecosystem and life on this rock? Isn`t this the only industry we
depend upon? Irony is that since 1987 a rough estimate of 72% of what
was left of a forest covered Oranjestad in the 17th century (beginning for
Cumaná area, close to the Airport, stretching North East to Ponton hill ,
than South to the bay). Imagine big old 300 year Kwihi trees ( Prosopis
Juliflora) whit thickness of 4 to 5 feet in diameter.

Pic.4. Our nocturnal visitors a pollinators, nectar and fruit eater
Glossophago longirostris
reach its tipping point. A sign of abandoned houses, mines and
overpopulation, nature destruc- in cavities that form within ma-
tion and stress will also raise the ture Breba cactuses. Caves are
cost of healthcare, doing busi- complex and unique ecosys-
ness, safety and security in gen- tems that provide homes for a
eral. diversity of creatures from in-
Bats navigate by echoloca- sects to amphibians and fish as
tion and they are nocturnal. well as mammals like wood rats
These flying mammals bring and bats. Many of these crea-
many benefits to our ecosys- tures can only survive within the
tems. More than eight species cave, and they rely on nutrients
live in our national park and carried into the cave by water
elsewhere and different spe- or other animals. Bats benefit
cies provide different benefits. caves by providing important
Some pollinate plants, others nutrients in their guano (better
Pic1. A young Kwihi decorating our side roads eat insects, many serve as prey fertilizer than cow manure!) that
Etnia Nativa’s point of view is decimation of natural habitat is desertification. to other animals, and they all in- support the growth of commu-
Thankful that we are out of the so called hurricane belt however to bulldoze spire scientific discoveries. Some nities of cave organisms.
one football pitch size of land after another for Aruba is worse than all-natural species live in batholite forma-
disasters, just to build houses for sale. The effect on such a small island will soon tions and in many islands caves, Continued on Page 15

Pics. 2 & 3 One of many victims of this destructive approach is our bat population.