For many college students, summer is the time to head outdoors and enjoy some sunshine, while perhaps running into some of our favorite animals.

Whether you have a close encounter with a dolphin, gray wolf or fairer creature, the excitement we get from being in proximity to our favorite animals should remind us that all parts of an ecosystem hold integral value — not just the charismatic mega fauna that popular culture idolizes.

Charismatic mega fauna is a term used to describe large species that are beloved by the public and garner the most attention — especially in winning support for conservation. Textbook examples include pandas, wolves and tigers. Essentially, it’s any animal you can think of that is often preceded with a slew of positive adjectives.

While the love of these creatures can be a good thing, too much attention put on a small number causes other species to lose out.

The great news is there is a simple remedy that demands no money and minimal effort. Even a college student on summer vacation can help by maintaining awareness of their surroundings.

All that is needed is an understanding that the ecosystem is made up of connections among various characters, and mega fauna are only one part in the play.

Sometimes the distinction we put on these animals can be helpful for others. If saving one species means slowing and halting habitat fragmentation — or the splintering of the place one species lives — then other species that share that habitat will be supported, as well.

Simply saving the home of one bird can also save the home of a squirrel and mushrooms that grow at the base of the home tree. The tree will also be saved and continue to contribute ecosystem services, such as lessening erosion and providing a sink of carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen.

Although this system of interactions can be maintained through indirect means, often the dedication placed on one species neglects other parts of the system.

I witnessed this firsthand in my own encounter with the public and a very special charismatic mammal — the bottlenose dolphin.

Recently, a sick dolphin beached itself near where I work — also the location of a bird-nesting area. The public was in awe of the majestic, beautiful dolphin (cue any other positive adjectives).

Because the much-loved animal was slowly coming to the end of its life, the public became agitated and distraught, doing anything they could to help the animal.

Both employees and patrons alike disturbed the bird-nesting area with the commotion, as well as drove vehicles on the vehicle-restricted beach.

While their intentions were admirable, their actions jeopardized the lives of the endangered shorebirds of the area.

Reckless actions on that day, along with a bad season for that stretch of the beach, took a toll on the local bird population — which is on the New York State Endangered Species List and the Federal Threatened Species List.

The bottlenose dolphin is on neither of these lists, but is more loved by the public. This case of charismatic mega fauna hurt other species in the area.

All it would have taken is a more conscious mindset from the public — something that only takes a little bit of effort. By remembering that all parts of an ecosystem hold importance before taking action, any person can do a little bit to make a difference in the lives of countless others.

Meg Callaghan is an environmental studies major and writing minor at SUNY-ESF. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at mlcallag@syr.edu.

Published on July 31, 2013 at 3:23 pm