Habitat Loss (Human Caused Threat)

Another possible threat that had resulted in the dying numbers of Javan Rhinos could be attributed to the loss of their natural habitats.

Source: McMillan

Natural habitats has been deforested for natural resources such as logs by lumberjacks, burned to the ground by others and some convert it into agricultural lands which ultimately chased the Javan Rhinos out of their once occupied lands into areas that are less suitable for survival (Rainforest Alliance, 2017) (Save the Rhino International, 2017) (Brook, Coeverden de Groot, Mahood, 2011) (Martin et al., 1992) (Murphy, 2004).

Even in this midst of legislation protection, the surrounding forests near the Ujung Kulon National Park are also under pressure by human caused activities, this might affect the remaining habitat in the national park in the long run as these ecological systems are interconnected (WWF, 2017).

 

So how do we better understand the process of how habitat loss occurred for the Javan Rhinos?

Source: Max Pixel

Similarly, by applying the concept of Tragedy of the Commons, we can explicate the severity of habitat loss. Let us start from a lumberjack, who wants to make a living by chopping off trees from the forest which is occupied by the Javan Rhinos. One lumberjack alone, who cuts down one to 5 trees per day might seem insignificant due to the vastness of the forest and its ability to regenerate its trees. However, when the number of lumberjacks increases to large amounts, each of them motivated by strong self-interests of financial earnings, unlikely to backdown, could have severe impact in forest reduction. One reason in how they could have persist in logging could be due to each lumberjack think that even if he or she stop, someone else will continue to log in his or her place. With that mentality in mind, it almost appears as an unstoppable trend as the trees reduce in number. As the trees are brought down, the size of the forest shrinks. As the size of the forest shrinks, so does its capacity to regenerate its trees. Eventually, the forest becomes only a small portion of what it formerly was. Now, let us include the Javan Rhinos into the equation. As its habitat shrink in size, so does its source of food, water and space of shelter. As more trees are log and converted into non natural areas, their source of food of specific plants are also destroyed in the process. With a reduction of their food source, their numbers are too large to be supported, thus leading to starvation of some, increase competition among one another, and eventually lead to the death for those who became too weak due to a lack of food. In addition, with lesser places for shelter, they also became more prone to their predators, which contribute to their decimation. Thus, one should now have a better understanding of how habitat loss can directly trimmed down the population of Javan Rhinos to its current state.

Similarly, the tragedy of the commons can also be applied in the understanding of forest burning.

 

You may be wondering, not all humans are that bad! Of the many reasons, humans must not only be the ones that is reducing their numbers! Well you are right! One possibility could be this: