Smiling Gecko

BIODIVERSITY

Green sea turtle resting

Biodiversity
For at least 3.8 billion years, a complex web of life has been evolving here on Earth. Biodiversity - short for biological diversity - is the variety of all living organisms and their interactions. Scientists often speak of three levels of diversity - species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity.
Ecosystem Species

Genetic

Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety in and between organisms, species and ecosystems The term biodiversity refers not only to the sheer number of different species, but to all the genetic variations within and between species - and all the differences between the many, many habitats and ecosystems that make up the earth's biosphere.

Why is it important to maintain the huge variety of life?

we have a moral responsibility to look after the planet and its resources, rather than simply use them up
biodiversity provides us with many direct benefits - eg clean air and water, food, medicines, fertile soil, and pollination for our crops biodiversity represents the earth's total gene pool - a source of future variation which is vital for all species reduction in biodiversity in ecosystems may reduce climatic stability, for example by upsetting the balance between intake and output of carbon dioxide

Importance of Biodiversity
Reasons human cultures value biodiversity: The rich variety of species in biological communities gives us food, wood, fibers, energy, raw materials, industrial chemicals, and medicines, all of which pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the world economy each year. Moreover, people have a natural affinity for nature, a sense of biophilia, wherein they assign a non-utilitarian value to a tree, a forest, and wild species of all kinds (E. O. Wilson).

Importance of Biodiversity
Pollination For every third bite you take, you can thank a pollinator. Air and Water Purification Biodiversity maintains the air we breathe and the water we drink. Climate Modification By giving off moisture through their leaves and providing shade, plants help keep us and other animals cool. Drought and Flood Control Plant communities, especially forests and wetlands, help control floods. Cycling of Nutrients The elements and compounds that sustain us are cycled endlessly through living things and through the environment.

Importance of Biodiversity
Habitat Natural ecosystems provide habitat for the worlds species (forests, wetlands, estuaries, lakes, and rivers the worlds nurseries).
Food All of our food comes from other organisms. Natural Pest Control Services Natural predators control potential and disease-carrying organisms in the world.

Drugs and Medicines Living organisms provide us with many drugs and medicines.

Climate change has already impacted biodiversity

The threat to biodiversity

By far the biggest threat to the variety of life is posed by human exploitation of the environment. Our impact on the global environment is greater than that of any other species because of:

a) Our technologies
b) Our population c) Our consumption of resources and waste produced

The threat to biodiversity

Our technologies: we use tools and techniques which can change the shape of the earth in a short space of time (eg clearing forests or changing the course of rivers)

The threat to biodiversity

Our population is increasing at a phenomenal rate. There are 6 billion of us now and by 2050 we are expected to number around 9 billion. Our sheer numbers will mean that even small activities multiplied 9 billion times will have a huge impact on the environment

The threat to biodiversity

Consumption and waste: we consume vast amounts of natural resources (eg water, fossil fuels) and produce vast amounts of waste (eg greenhouse gases). Both pose a threat to other forms of life - as well as to ourselves!

Elephant safari after the Indian Rhinoceros in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal