|
|
| |
|
|
An Industry Dependent On Bird Droppings
|
 |
|
|
A series of islands off the coast of Peru are barren and rocky. Rain
seems to have forgotten to visit them. As a result there is no
vegetation growing there. The Chinchas, the Ballestras, the Lobos,
and the Macabi and Guanape islands are these islands which though
barren have contributed more than their share to the country's
wealth. What they have to offer may make you laugh, it is - bird
droppings. The particular type of bird dropping found here is known
as guano and has been found very beneficial as a fertilizer for
agricultural purposes.
How guano is different from other bird
droppings
What makes guano special is that it is made up of bird droppings
amassed over hundreds of years. And what made it better than
guano found elsewhere was a result of the unique weather
conditions that exist along the coast of Peru. The Peruvian
current brings cold water from Antarctica to the equator along
Peru's coast. The mixing of cold and warm air result in a
weather pattern that prevents rainfall. This lack of moisture
ensures that certain water-soluble |
|
nutrients in the bird droppings are
prevented from evaporating. The result is nitrate rich bird
dropping that can do wonders for soil. Another contributing
factor here is that the droppings that accumulate here are from
fish eating birds. |
|
| |
|
Why the birds chose these islands
The main guano producing birds are the white breast cormorant, the
gray pelican, and the white head gannet. When the guano reserves
were first found they were about 150 feet deep! Let us take a look
at how this came about. Scientists say that the enormous fish
reserves in these islands and the absence of predators would have
attracted many birds and seals to these islands. Favorable weather
conditions and abundant food supply would have resulted in their
settling down in these islands. And the result - huge reserves of
guano. An estimate says that if a million of these birds reside on a
rain free island for a year, they can produce 11,000 tons of guano!
How it nurtured an industry
The benefits of guano have been known to the world for about 200
years now. The resultant improved crop yields on its being used
created a large demand for it. Realizing the importance, many
traders started trading in it and they got state support by their
country's acquisition of guano producing islands. The US acquired 60
islands for the purpose. A host of other countries were active in
this trade and it was the mainstay of Peru's economy.
Reduced supply and fall in demand
With the advent of chemical fertilizers the demand for guano
decreased and countries like Peru that depended heavily on guano
trade suffered economic setbacks. Overuse of the guano deposits also
led to decrease in guano reserves. However the fine natural balance
faces a threat from nature too. Climatic changes like the El Nino
and warming of ocean water have a detrimental effect on fish. This
in turn would mean less food for the birds.
Realizing the importance of preserving natural balances, many steps
have been taken towards preserving the natural state of these
islands, regardless of the demand for guano. So steps have been
taken to conserve the reserves and the birds that produce them.
Steps have been taken to leave the birds undisturbed and commercial
fishing in the vicinity of these areas has been banned. |
|
|
|
|
|
|