Biodiversity

          

                The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity, is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach. In some way or form, almost all cultures have recognized the importance of nature and its biological diversity for their societies and have therefore understood the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance.1

                      This time around we should always think the person who made all of these things in our environment. We are very thankful to get all of these from him, so we should not always think of ourselves but we should also remember that we have the responsibility to protect and give importance to it.

Why is biodiversity Important? 

                 Why is Biodiversity important? Does it really matter if there aren’t so many species?

        Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity in wildlife.2  This not just a simple thing to disregard, but a one thing to consider as big part of our life. As we continue living in this beautiful place, we get some benefits from it. Come to think of it, if this thing is out of our sight, our life will be boring and our life is nothing. It is an eye-opener for all of us to not just benefit from it but also give importance to it.

Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions

             It has long been feared that human activity is causing massive extinctions. Despite increased efforts at conservation, it has not been enough and biodiversity losses continue. The costs associated with deteriorating or vanishing ecosystems will be high. However, sustainable development and consumption would help avert ecological problems.3

                   In our ever changing world, there are many alternatives that will improve and conserve our environment. There are many things that could help us, the only thing that is missing is the voluntary contribution of human kind.  

Climate Change Affects Biodiversity

            The link between climate change and biodiversity has long been established. Although throughout Earth’s history the climate has always changed with ecosystems and species coming and going, rapid climate change affects ecosystems and species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases.

     From a human perspective, the rapid climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss risks human security (e.g. a major change in the food chain upon which we depend, water sources may change, recede or disappear, medicines and other resources we rely on may be harder to obtain as the plants and forna they are derived from may reduce or disappear, etc.).

The UN’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, in May 2010, summarized some concerns that climate change will have on ecosystems:

''Climate change is already having an impact on biodiversity, and is projected to become a progressively more significant threat in the coming decades. Loss of Arctic sea ice threatens biodiversity across an entire biome and beyond. The related pressure of ocean acidification, resulting from higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is also already being observed.
Ecosystems are already showing negative impacts under current levels of climate change … which is modest compared to future projected changes…. In addition to warming temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events and changing patterns of rainfall and drought can be expected to have significant impacts on biodiversity.''4

— Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010), Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, May, 2010, p.56

Source: http://www.globalissues.org/issue/168/environmental-issues