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 …show more content…
This has resulted in the loss of many valuable fauna and flora. Similarly, farmers in different countries tend to maintain those species that they think best meet the household and market requirement. This selective pressure has also contributed for the under-utilization and loss of many species. In general, human impacts on biodiversity have been dramatic, resulting in unprecedented losses in biodiversity, eventually causing biodiversity crisis. Factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity may vary from one country to another, however, the most important reasons that have contributed to biodiversity crisis are the following: deforestation, habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation of a species, expansion of agricultural land, unsustainable utilization, population pressure, expansion of improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, invasive alien species, climate change, pollution, urbanization, forest fire, diseases and …show more content…
Human beings are directly or indirectly dependent on biodiversity to fulfill their basic needs. However, the dependency of human beings on biodiversity varies from country to country. People in most developing countries obtain their livelihood by directly or indirectly exploiting the biodiversity resources. The direct uses of biodiversity include: food, fiber, medicine, fuel wood, feed, construction materials etc. In many developing countries people still depend on biodiversity as primary source of medicine. For instance, in my country (Ethiopia) 80% of the total population is dependent on biodiversity as a primary source of medicine. As a result, the collection of medicinal plants from natural forests is increasing from time to time. Some of the harvesting methods currently used are also destructive for the species, and over-exploitation of a species is also common in some areas. Over-exploitation due to ever increasing population will continue to threaten biodiversity, there by affecting the survival of the
As discussed previously, Kareiva and Marvier argue that focusing on human welfare does not have to sacrifice biodiversity (962-969). However, some find that the argument only holds when conservation itself is tied to a clearly outlined conservation agenda (Sanderson and Redford 389). For conservation efforts to be successful, multiple countries and agencies need to cooperate (“Lecture Week 13”). Conservationists, economists, and political strategists must find conservation issues that do not hinder efforts to alleviate issues of the human condition such as global poverty and world hunger. In actuality, biodiversity loss and poverty are linked, but conservation strategies that will reap success in integrating the two need clear conceptual frameworks (Adams et al. 1146). In order to find a balance and to foster stability for lasting and sustainable development and environmental health, it is important to take humans out of the equation when assessing the status of the environment, and to implement formal scientific strategies to conservation policies (Erwin
Biodiversity is a priority issue for me and the country of Canada because nature and biodiversity provide for services that we humans take for granted. Clean air, clean water, soil for agriculture, and pollination from different insects are only a few things provided by nature. In the 21st century living in the industrialized era we have tendency to neglect things that we believe to have no economic value to us. “… the economic value of income from the earths ecological services is at least $36 trillion (US) per year” (Miller, Hackett 213).Clearly diversity has very economic value, but we also need it for basic things such as food. Agriculture in Canada is worth $ 95 billion and account for 8.8% of its gross national product and 14% of its employment (Miller, Hackett 292).Canadians also need biodiversity for their health, with 70% of pharmaceuticals being derived from natural resources. We should care to save biodiversity not only for the benefits that it brings to us, but also because of its aesthetic value, which means that some people love and appreciate nature because of its beauty. Simple things li...
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
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.
Biodiversity is important for a number of reasons. Humans depend on healthy ecosystems and the plants, animals, fungi, and microbes in these ecosystems for a great number of resources and products. Plants, through photosynthesis, produce the oxygen humans need to breathe. Thriving ecosystems effectively purify
Biological diversity or biodiversity is defined as the “variability among living organisms existing on the earth in various ecosystems and ecological complexes”. This variability among the living organisms is the basis for continuous evolution and maintaining life sustainability on earth. There is a widespread concern about protecting the biodiversity around the world and its seen evident among human beings. They are dependent on the biodiversity for their daily food, shelter and fuels. These resources are inevitable in human life for their living and survival. Most countries depend on the “plant genetic resource” as the major source of food for the world populations (Brahmi, Dua & Dhillon, 2004). The economic value of biological diversity and genetic resources range from “US$800 billion to US$ 1 trillion” it does not come from a single biological resource; it is from all products and services (Suneetha, Pisupati, & Kumar, 2009).
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
Many of the issues of biodiversity loss can be traced back to human interaction to the environment. One of the issues is alteration and loss of habitats. A lot of this issue is based on the destruction of habitats and for the land to be used for human consumption. The land is either used up for agricultural use or for neighborhoods. Destroying habitats and building them for our own use can have a positive impact on our way of living but a negative impact on the environment. We would gain land for building land for crops and communities to be built. The habitat for the animals would be destroyed and the species local to the land would either relocate or die. There are restrictions to deforesting land and there are organizations to help protect the land.
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.
NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY: Environment - Definition, scope and importance – Forest resources: Use and overexploitation, Water resources: Use and over-utilization, dams-benefits and problems – Energy resources: Growing energy needs, renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate energy sources.– Land resources: land degradation – Role of an individual in conservation of natural resources Ecosystem – Structure and function – Ecological succession – Introduction to various ecosystems. Biodiversity – Definition and types – Threats to Biodiversity in India
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.
Today biodiversity is being depleted by the loss of habitat, fragmentation of habitat, over exploitation of resources, human sponsored ecosystems , climatic changes, shifting cultivation, poaching of wild life etc. Biodiversity includes various other important things and services such as cultural, recreational, and spiritual nourishment that play a major role in maintaining our personal life as well as social life and 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 good health for the future generation. We should conserve biodiversity because of its benefit for example services and biological resources which are essential to live our life on earth and maintain it at its threshold level and derive sustainable benefits for the present and future generation. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach for preservation of biodiversity. Ever since the Conservation of Biodiversity has gained tremendous importance worldwide, steps have been taken for its