RESOURCES
Biodiversity Means Life
Biodiversity is the total of all plant and animal life of the planet, and the planet itself – the air, water and land that supports animal and plant life. Ecosystems require a vast assortment of plant and animal life, from soil microbes to top level predators and thus, those that contain a greater diversity of species are more likely to thrive and stay healthy.
What is biodiversity and why does it matter to us?
It is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. More formally, biodiversity is comprised of several levels, starting with genes, then individual species, then communities of creatures and finally entire ecosystems, such as forests or coral reefs, where life interplays with the physical environment. These myriad interactions have made Earth habitable for billions of years.
Biodiversity and Life on Earth
We live in what is called the biosphere of Earth. The other three portions of Earth’s ecosystem include the lithosphere (rock), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). The biosphere, however, is home to all living organisms on Earth. The biosphere’s chemical makeup is constantly changing to keep up with the needs of biotic organisms. Without the biosphere’s environment, life on Earth would be non-existent due to the lack of biodiversity.
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a broad term for biological variety, and it can be measured at a number of organizational levels. Traditionally, ecologists have measured biodiversity by taking into account both the number of species and the number of individuals in each of those species. However, biologists are using measures of biodiversity at several levels of biological organization (including genes, populations, and ecosystems) to help focus efforts to preserve the biologically and technologically important elements of biodiversity.
Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Concrete Actions
Nature and Biodiversity
Nature and biodiversity make life possible, provide health and social benefits and drive our economy. Healthy ecosystems can also help us cope with the impacts of climate change. Natural ecosystems and their vital services are under pressure from urban sprawl, intensive agriculture, pollution, invasive species and climate change.
What is the Biodiversity Crisis?
Marine Biodiversity Loss in our Ocean
Biodiversity, also known as biological diversity, reflects the variety of life on Earth. This variety encompasses different levels, from genetics through species and ecosystems. Biodiversity underpins the health of our shared planet and has a significant impact on our lives. Indeed, biodiversity is crucial to our food supplies and has an effect on the ability of farmers, fishermen, and livestock keepers to produce food as well as other goods and services. In other words, the decrease in biodiversity can result in a future where fresh water supplies are irregular and scarce, and where food supplies are more vulnerable to pests and disease. Scientists predict that by the year 2050, more than 25% of species on Earth will be threatened with extinction by climate change alone.
Facts and Figures on Marine Biodiversity
All of the water in our planet is marine but only 4% of the world’s marines are protected for conservation. This is dangerous situation for marine biodiversity. Marine ecosystems provide many resources that are beneficial to society and a significant proportion of the world’s population depends intimately on the oceans and coasts for survival and well-being.
Biodiversity Loss: Facts and Figures
Over the last two centuries, human population growth, overexploitation of natural resources, and environmental degradation has resulted in an ever accelerating decline in global biodiversity. Species are diminishing in numbers and becoming extinct, and ecosystems are suffering damage and disappearing.
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