Question

Why is the declining biodiversity a problem??

Answer 1

• Biodiversity, short for 'biological diversity,' refers to the diversity of all living organisms. This can be genetic diversity, species diversity or ecosystem diversity, all of which are important.
• Biodiversity is under serious threat as a result of human activities. The main dangers worldwide are population growth and resource consumption, climate change and global warming, habitat conversion and urbanisation, invasive alien species, over-exploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation.
• Biodiversity loss has a negative impact on our societies; it negatively affects or contributes to the health of individuals, the climate, natural resources, pollution, poverty and the extinction of species.
• When the diversity of species is reduced, it can undermine the resilience of the entire system. This is particularly concerning, given the enormous pressures we place on ecosystems (climate change, pollution, etc.).Particular species within an ecosystem serve key roles that maintain all of its functional processes. Pollinator species, for example, are vital to the reproduction of numerous plant species.
• We depend on biodiversity for everything from food and shelter to medicine. When we lose species at such a rapid rate, there may be no new species to fill the niches that are left vacant. Loss of biodiversity has huge implications for health and food/water security. Many of our agricultural systems rely heavily on pollinators (because of the decline of bees, some of China's farmers are forced to pollinate by hand). We rely on biodiversity to maintain the quality of our air and water.
• Losses in biodiversity and associated changes in ecosystem services have caused other people to experience declining well-being, with some social groups being pushed into poverty.
• Poor areas also depend on urban biodiversity, not only for food production and other commodities, but also for services provided by ecosystems, including the preservation of clean air and water and waste decomposition. If the impact of biodiversity loss is more severe for the poorest people, it is because they have few alternatives to deal with.
• Moreover, the poor people have a limited purchasing power. Thus, it leaves them less capable of buying in-substitutes for local ecosystems from outside. Therefore, they highly rely on integrity of their local environment. Additionally, the reduction of biodiversity affects the sustainable supply of the service.
• Over the past several decades, there has been an increase in economic losses and human suffering as a result of natural disasters. A rich source of biodiversity such as coral reefs and mangrove forests are excellent natural protection against floods and storms. However, they have diminished in coverage. Thus, they have increased the severity of flooding on coastal communities.
• The reduction of biodiversity has an effect on the health of individuals. A new generation of antibiotics, new treatments against bone loss or kidney problems, cancer drugs, it could all be lost if the world fails to reverse the rapid loss of biodiversity.
• Every component of biodiversity has its own role in the ecosystem. If we try to remove/alter even the smallest component, entire ecosystem will be disturbed. Playing with nature can be very dangerous because when nature will start playing, we won't be able to defend ourselves. We are living at it’s mercy so we should abide by its laws.