Human & Wildlife Coexistence
The structures that have been paved by past civilizations, have allowed for humans to live in remarkable ways. These structures have fulfilled both biological and social needs. Humans are the main predators on this planet and every invention has excluded any being that is not human. Setting a scene with our planet being the only home that humans are aware of. Every inhabiting creature has been given a place on this planet by nature. Unfortunately, the coexistence between wildlife and humans is becoming tougher to manage.
Function of Society
To understand human interaction with the environment, there has to be focus first on how the structure of society works. Functionalism also known as Structural-function theory. The theory sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals in society. English philosopher and biologist, Herbert Spencer, saw similarities between society and the human body. Spencer argues that just as the various organs within the body work as a team to keep the body functioning. The body structure is similar to the outside structure of society. Émile Durkheim added to the theory that societies change overtime and humans have an evolutionary process overtime. Durkheim explained how society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to maintain stability. As humans have evolved and advanced there has been a division between environmental interaction with humans. Traditional human science separates humans from environmental studies. Human ecologist see humans to be similar to ecological and evolutionary beings as any other specie on this planet. Wildlife species have a similar biological structure that works to meet their needs. The situation here is, are their social needs being met? And is that caused by human interaction?
Adaption From Both Sides
Humans have advanced through making a living by extracting natural resources from the environment. As well as other organisms. Making a living, does not only mean making human money; rather surviving. By extracting these natural resources, fracking for example has been one of the leading factors for habit loss. Humans are gaining control and that is presenting a insability. Examining the possibilities of coexisting, there has to be a balance of power. With certain unique abilities that humans possess, it can be bias to believe humans should control the function and population of the wildlife. Humans and other species have been battling for natural resources. The technology that humans possess out number the wildlife and that can be mistaken for Darwin’s idea of natural selection. The situation here are the organisms expected to adapt to different environments at a rapid speed.
As humans, we do play an important part with the wildlife. The leading factors that portrays animals as a threat to humans, is the transmission of disease. While our own bodies are protecting and ensuring we have our needs met. Society has implemented institutions to meet social needs. What matters here, is for there to be a balance. A balance that can help the wellbeing of individual wild animal. To ask for coexistence does not mean for certain species to be preserved that benefit the human experience.
The management and interaction of the wildlife generates disagreements between what humans prefer and need. Over the concerns of individual animal welfare. The value of biodiversity, ecosystems and wild nature are part of the situation. Coexisting will be a gradual process, however to begin that there has to be more awareness and education.
