BIODIVERSITY LOSS

The reduction or disappearance of biological diversity is defined as the range of living creatures that occupy the earth, its many levels of biological structure, and their individual genetic variability, as well as the natural patterns inherent in ecosystems.

Biodiversity loss involves both global extinctions of various species and local reductions or losses of species in a specific environment, resulting in a loss of biological variety.

The latter phenomena can be temporary or permanent, depending on whether the environmental deterioration that causes the loss is reversible (e.g., through land loss) or essentially permanent (e.g., through climate change).

Scholars contend that population expansion and increase, as well as overconsumption, are major contributors to biodiversity loss and soil degradation.

Human population expansion and overconsumption have also been identified as key causes of species reduction in review papers, including the 2019 IPBES report.

Ecosystems, biodiversity, climate, maritime economies, and human health can all suffer as a result of biodiversity loss.

As the search results show, a multitude of reasons contribute to biodiversity loss. Some of the key reasons of biodiversity loss are outlined below:

 

Loss of habitat: The thinning, fragmenting, or outright annihilation of an ecosystem's plant, soil, hydrologic, and nutrient systems is referred to as habitat loss.

Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture are frequently to blame.

 

Species that are invasive: Non-native creatures that can threaten the environment, economy, or human health are considered invasive species.

Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, resulting in biodiversity loss.

 

Overexploitation: Overexploitation refers to excessive hunting and fishing pressure that can lead to the depletion of some species' populations. This can lead to biodiversity loss and alter environmental equilibrium.

 

Pollution: Pollution has a variety of detrimental effects on biodiversity, including habitat destruction, pollution of food and water supplies, and the introduction of harmful substances into ecosystems.

 

Climate change: Climate change caused by global warming can have serious consequences for biodiversity, such as changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.

 

Aside from these fundamental causes of biodiversity loss, each cause is impacted by three factors: human exponential population expansion, greater consumption as each individual seeks for a more affluent lifestyle, and decreased resource efficiency.

 

In a nutshell habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change all contribute to biodiversity loss. Human population expansion, greater consumption, and decreased resource efficiency all have an impact on these issues.

Addressing these biodiversity drivers’ loss is crucial for preserving the planet's biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future.

 

Biodiversity loss can have a range of negative effects on ecosystems, the environment, and human health, as highlighted in the article. Here are some of the negative effects of biodiversity loss: 

Impacts on ecosystem stability and services: Biodiversity loss can result in less stable, less resilient ecosystems, which threatens essential ecological functions upon which human life depends. Biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships are generally positive.

 

Accelerated extinction of species: Biodiversity loss can lead to the extinction of species, which can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and lead to a loss of biodiversity.

 

Increased zoonotic disease transmission to humans: Biodiversity loss can increase the transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans, as it can lead to changes in the distribution and abundance of species that host diseases.

 

Decline in ecosystem services: Biodiversity loss can lead to a decline in ecosystem services, such as air purification, carbon sequestration, and population control.

Reduced resilience to disturbances: Biodiversity loss can reduce the resilience of ecosystems to disturbances, such as climate change and natural disasters.

Threat to human health: Biodiversity loss can have negative impacts on human health, including exposure to toxic chemicals and increased risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

 

Economic impacts: Biodiversity loss can have significant economic impacts, including reduced productivity and increased costs associated with ecosystem restoration and management

 

In conclusion, biodiversity loss can have a range of negative effects on ecosystems, the environment, and human health, including impacts on ecosystem stability and services, accelerated extinction of species, increased zoonotic disease transmission to humans, decline in ecosystem services, reduced resilience to disturbances, threat to human health, and economic impacts. Addressing the drivers of biodiversity loss is crucial for preserving the planet's biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future

 

 

REFERENCE

1.     Biodiversity loss: what is causing it and why is it a concern? | News | European Parliament

2.     Biodiversity loss - Wikipedia

3.     Biodiversity loss, a risk for the environment and for humanity - Iberdrola

4.     Biodiversity loss | Causes, Effects, & Facts - Britannica

5.     Learn about the causes of Biodiversity Loss - Student Center | Britannica.com

6.     What is the extent and causes of biodiversity loss? - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment - LSE

7.     Concerning Effects of Biodiversity Loss - Earth.Org

8.     How does Biodiversity loss affect me and everyone else? - WWF

9.     Biodiversity loss | Causes, Effects, & Facts - Britannica