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explain why biodiversity is important
is biodiversity important? essay
is biodiversity important? essay
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Biodiversity is the diversity of all living things: plants, animals living in a particular region or area. Many think Biodiversity is just about animals and wildlife we see every day, but a big part of it is microscopic bacteria. Biodiversity is known to many as a totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region. There are three types of Biodiversity, genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity is the number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is used to distinguish one animal or specie from another as they are all genetically different. Species diversity is the number of species and amount of each specie in a particular area. This can also be called Species Richness. …show more content…
In the last 10 years, the global population has increases from 1.6 to 1.7 billion and the worlds economy has increased increases by over seven times. Biodiversity is a major resource for many different industries and companies which govern the world economy (Mondal, 2016). Essentials such as fuel sources, food supplies and medical supplies are provided and supplied as a result of Biodiversity. Forestry, hydropower and almost all vital ecosystem industries and services depend on the conservation of biodiversity. Through natural chemical removal, food distribution and many other processes biodiversity has provided over $2.9 trillion in annual benefits worldwide (Florida, 2011). It is clear that biodiversity is essential and exceptionally benefits for the world and its …show more content…
An American biologist, researcher and a former Harvard professor is known for countless work in biodiversity and the creation of the EO Wilson foundation. E.O Wilson believed that by preserving the biodiversity of an ecosystem it would improve the resilience and functionality of an ecosystem. By doing so this would result in a healthy functioning ecosystem which truly benefits all the life forms in which the ecosystem depends on (Wilson, 2017). One of E. O Wilsons biggest goals was to enhance the public’s understanding and appreciation of Biodiversity. With that he made the “Encyclopedia of Life”, where he informs and inspires people about the importance and significance of conserving and protecting the biodiversity and the natural world (Mission Statement, 2017). In Wilsons recent TED talk on this “Encyclopedia of Life”, he speaks about “HIPPO”. HIPPO stands for Habitat Destruction, Invasive Species, Population, Pollution, Overharvesting. HIPPO is a way of remembering and informing people about the major threats to biodiversity and factors involved in the eroding of earths biosphere (Wilson, 2007). His “Encyclopedia of Life” is his solution for this horrible man-made issue. Most importantly, it benefits the new generation of students and
The 1992 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) conceded that the eminent adversity threatening biological and resource diversity is a global calamity. Pertaining to biodiversity alone, studies have revealed that about 1.4 million of all known species (comprising of 26.96% of flora and 73.04% of fauna) are in existence globally (WCMC, 1992; Bhargava, 2006). Despite the rich biological diversities, there are manifestations that, these global diversities are constantly disappearing at quite an alarming proportion. Biodiversity levels are projected to be deteriorating across the globe with about 25% of all mammals threatened by extinction in the next three (3) decades (Yelfaanibe, 2011). Some scholars have advanced reasons responsible for the failure
Biodiversity crisis is the accelerating loss of species diversity and ecosystems mainly because of human actions. Biodiversity crisis is a greater threat to the survival of human beings on the earth because human beings are entirely dependent on biodiversity for livelihoods. The direct uses of biodiversity includes food, fiber, medicine, fuel wood, timber, building materials, industrial products (waxes, rubber, oils), and like. The indirect benefits of biodiversity are mainly the ecosystems services such as water purification, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, soil and water conservation, water quality, pollination, nutrient cycling and like. Currently, a large number of poor people in the developing world rely directly
Human beings are heavily reliant on nature’s biodiversity. This biodiversity, however, is threatened by accelerating extinction rates which are approaching past mass extinction levels. Human activities are largely responsible for this trend, and, while there has been some success in preserving select species, the scale of the impending extinction will necessitate the conservation of existing ecosystems if biodiversity is to be preserved. Fortunately, the relative geographical concentration of most biodiversity makes such efforts both possible and economically feasible.
S Giller, P., Hillebr, Berninger, U., O Gessner, M., Hawkins, S., Inchausti, P., Inglis, C., Leslie, H., Malmqvist, B., T Monaghan, M. and Others. 2004. Biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning: emerging issues and their experimental test in aquatic environments. Oikos, 104 (3), pp. 423--436.
Myers, Norman. "The Rich Diversity of Biodiversity Issues," in Biodiversity II: Understanding and Protecting Our Biological Resources, ed. Reaka-Kudla, Wilson, and Wilson. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press, 1997.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (hereafter: “CBD”) is an international treaty adopted by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and came into force on December 29, 1993. Initially when it came into force there were 168 members now it is 193 in total. The aim to protect biodiversity and the dramatic steps taken for conservation, sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits attracted the world communities to become members (History of the Convention, n.d). In principle the convention on biological diversity changed the ownership concept of biodiversity protection i.e. (“common heritage of humankind”) to the “sovereign right” of each member country (Hirsch, 2012). It is the responsibility of the each member to develop and implement policies in a way that helps in the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. It also recognizes the knowledge of local and indigenous people for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Brahmi et al., 2004).The article 8(j) of CBD has an important provision which gives the member state rights to “respect, preserve and maintain” traditional style and knowledge about the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The protection must promote the wider application of such knowledge and stimulate innovation and also ensure that the benefits are shared in fair and equitable manner to the communities.
Biodiversity, the variety of organisms living together in a specific place, is very important in maintaining balanced ecosystems. An ecosystem is a group of organisms that live inter-connectedly in a community (Vogt, 1997). If the community's environment suddenly change, the balance of that community may also change which can cause its destruction. The destruction of an ecosystem can have serious effects on the organisms in it such as loss of different species or even their extinction. Therefore, conserving biodiversity is very significant.
Earth holds a vast diversity of living organisms and immense varieties of Habitat and ecosystem. Biodiversity is the variety and variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic eco¬systems and the ecological complexes; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems (CBD 1992). The term biodiversity, the short form of biological diversity, was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1985. The fundamental to ecologically sustainable development is conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. An environment rich in biological diversity offers the broadest array of options for sustainable economic activity, for sustaining human welfare and for adapting to change. Global Biodiversity Assessment estimates that a total number of animal and plant species to be between 13 and 14 million (Heywood 1995). It further records that so far only 1.75 million species have been described and studied. UNEP-WCMC (2000) estimated around 2, 70,000 species of vascular plants and 52,000 animals (vertebrates). Nearly 45% of the World’s vascular plant species occur
Biodiversity loss can lead to extinction, and hurt human life. It is our responsibility to take care of the environment. We bring in machines that harm the environment and destroy animal life. We need to limit ourselves on how much land and resources we consume. There are major issues that are causing species to become extinct and hurt our way of life and other animals do to the change in food chain.
The degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity is increasing at an alarming rate every year. Humans are certainly not the only reason for this, but they are the main contributors. The well-being of ecosystems affects our everyday lives - consumption and consumerism depend on natural resources. Everything humans use is derived from them, in seemingly indirect and direct ways. Yet despite the fact that humans are destroying the environment, many continue to and neglect to take important measures to protect it.
Diversity concept can be defined by refers to variety of living organisms in a particular area (Statistica, 2013). Since diversity involves many living organisms and include different species, thus it may be very complex. There are two significant divisions within the scope of diversity which are species diversity and habitat diversity (Mumby, 2001). Both represent structural complexity of environments. In order to reduce complexity of ecological system, ecological diversity concept can be used, through diversity indices. Generally, for the measuring species diversity common way that can be used are count the species richness and species abundance. These two methods include the information
Every form of life on earth is unique and warrants respect regardless of its worth to human beings. Every organism has an inherent right to exist regardless of whether it’s valuable to human beings or not. Humankind is a part of nature and the natural world has a value for human heritage. The well being of all future generations is a social responsibility of the present generations, hence the existence of an organism warrants conservation of the organism. Despite the benefits from nature, today’s threats to species and ecosystems are the greatest recorded in recent history and virtually all of them are caused by human mismanagement of biological resources often stimulated by misguided economic policies, pollution and faulty institutions in-addition to climate change. To ensure intra and intergenerational equity, it is important to conserve our biodiversity (Mutia, 2009).
Nowadays it is common to read articles in newspapers and magazines regarding biodiversity issues. Human beings have been knowingly and unknowingly destroying biodiversity since their existence. Biodiversity is the measure of the variety of species of animals living in an area. Forests are usually areas with high biodiversity while deserts are the opposite. Human beings have always destroyed biodiversity either by deforestation, or by some other means. Biodiversity depletion is a natural phenomenon. But the present levels of biodiversity depletion are many times higher than the natural rate. Recently the levels of loss in biodiversity have started causing global concern. Some of the main causes for loss in biodiversity are alteration of habitats, increasing levels of pollution and human population growth.
Biodiversity conservation is about saving life on Earth in all its forms and keeping natural ecosystems functioning and healthy. Biodiversity is being depleted by the loss of habitat, fragmentation of habitat, over exploitation of resources, human sponsored ecosystems, climatic changes, pollution invasive exotic species, diseases, shifting cultivation, poaching of wild life etc. Since the human beings are enjoying all the benefits from biodiversity, they should take proper care for the preservation of biodiversity in all its form and should prevent the degradation as well as the destruction of the habitats thereby maintaining the biodiversity at its optimum level which will ultimately conserve the biodiversity for the future generation.
NEED AND PURPOSE FOR CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: Biodiversity, a contraction of “biological diversity,” generally refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The very existence of human species and sustainable development depend on biodiversity conservation, therefore the need for conservation of biodiversity is basically for this reason that all living creatures need other creatures and plants in one way or the other. At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are mainly derived from biological resources. Biodiversity is necessary for our existence as well as valuable in its own right as it provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services which are essential