Report on the Conservation of Endangered Polymita Snails

Introduction: A Mission Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

An international research initiative has been launched to conserve the endangered Polymita tree snails of Eastern Cuba and to investigate their unique biological characteristics. These snails, renowned for their vibrantly coloured and intricately patterned shells, face extinction due to habitat loss and illegal trade. This conservation effort directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: Life on Land, by working to halt biodiversity loss and combat the trafficking of protected species.

Primary Threats and Their Relation to Global Challenges

Unsustainable Consumption and Illegal Trade

The principal threat to the Polymita snails is the illegal trade in their shells, which are highly sought after by collectors. This practice is a clear violation of sustainable practices and directly undermines SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Every shell sold represents a loss to the species’ population.

• The trade creates a direct economic incentive for poaching, which pushes already vulnerable populations towards extinction.
• While international regulations under CITES prohibit the export of Polymita snails from Cuba without a permit, the legal sale of shells in other countries creates a significant loophole that is difficult to enforce.
• The demand for these shells as decorative objects fuels a supply chain that is fundamentally unsustainable and detrimental to biodiversity.

Habitat Degradation and Climate Change

In addition to the pressures from illegal collection, the snails’ natural habitat is affected by deforestation and climate change. This dual threat underscores the importance of integrated environmental strategies that align with SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land, as protecting ecosystems is crucial for both climate resilience and species survival.

A Global Partnership for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

This conservation project exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through its collaboration between Cuban biologists and specialists at the University of Nottingham in the UK. This partnership combines local expertise with advanced genetic research capabilities to create a comprehensive conservation strategy.

In-Situ Conservation and Captive Breeding

In Cuba, Professor Bernardo Reyes-Tur of the Universidad de Oriente is leading efforts in captive breeding. This critical work aims to create a safeguard population. However, the project faces significant operational challenges, such as unreliable power supplies, which highlights the broader need for resilient infrastructure and progress towards SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy to support vital scientific and conservation work in developing regions.

Genetic Research and Knowledge Sharing

At the University of Nottingham, Professor Angus Davison’s team is conducting advanced genetic analysis. The objectives of this research include:

1. Reading the snails’ genome to understand the genetic basis for their unique colouration.
2. Confirming the exact number of distinct Polymita species and their evolutionary relationships.
3. Providing robust scientific data to inform and strengthen conservation policies and enforcement actions.

This scientific inquiry contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by advancing human knowledge and providing valuable information that can be used for conservation education.

Conclusion: An Integrated Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

The initiative to save the Polymita snails is a critical intervention to prevent the extinction of a unique group of species. By combining captive breeding, genetic research, and international cooperation, the project provides a powerful model for modern conservation. It demonstrates a tangible commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, linking the protection of a single species to the broader global agenda of preserving biodiversity (SDG 15), fostering responsible consumption (SDG 12), and building effective global partnerships (SDG 17) for a sustainable future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article’s central theme is the conservation of a terrestrial species, the Polymita tree snails. It directly addresses the threats of biodiversity loss and the extinction of a threatened species due to human activities like illegal trade and habitat degradation (“forest loss”).

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article explicitly describes an international collaboration to achieve conservation goals. It highlights how “Biologists in Cuba, and specialists at the University of Nottingham in the UK, have now teamed up” to combine local expertise with advanced genetic research capabilities.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The article links the snails’ endangerment directly to unsustainable consumption patterns. The demand for their shells by collectors (“desirable for collectors”) and their sale as “decorative objects” drives the illegal trade that threatens the species with extinction.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Although a secondary point, the article mentions that the snails’ natural habitat is affected by “pressures like climate change,” linking the species’ survival to the broader impacts of climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   • The entire mission described in the article is a direct response to this target. The effort to “save what some consider to be the world’s most beautiful snails” from disappearing is an action to “prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The mention of “forest loss” also connects to reducing habitat degradation.

2. Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.

   • The article identifies the “shell trade” as the primary reason “pushing the snails towards extinction.” It discusses the illegal nature of this trade under CITES (“illegal – under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – to take the snails or their shells out of Cuba without a permit”) and the market demand that fuels it.

3. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms.

   • The partnership between the University of Nottingham (UK, representing the “North”) and the Universidad de Oriente (Cuba, representing the “South”) is a perfect example of this target. They are collaborating on science (genetic research) and sharing knowledge (“use the genetic information that we can bring to contribute to their conservation”).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 15.5 (Protect threatened species)

   • Conservation Status: The article explicitly states the snails are “Endangered” and that one species, Polymita sulphurosa, is the “most endangered.” Tracking changes in this conservation status would measure progress.
   • Species Population: The article mentions there are “six known species of Polymita.” The goal is to prevent their extinction, so monitoring the population health and numbers of these six species is an implied indicator.
   • Captive Breeding Success: The article notes that a captive breeding program has been established, but the snails “have not bred yet.” The success rate of this program is a direct indicator of conservation efforts.

2. Indicators for Target 15.7 (End trafficking)

   • Prevalence of Illegal Trade: The article provides a concrete indicator of ongoing trade by stating, “On one site a collection of seven shells was being advertised for £160.” Monitoring the number of such online listings and their prices can measure the scale of the illegal trade.

3. Indicators for Target 17.6 (Knowledge sharing)

   • Joint Research Outputs: The article states the project’s goal is to “read the animals’ genome” to “confirm how many species there are” and understand their genetics. The publication and application of this genetic data for conservation is a clear indicator of successful knowledge sharing and technological cooperation.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: bbc.com