The increase in production due to the rapidly growing world population has become more threatening to biodiversity today. The mining activities on natural areas, agricultural activities, urbanization and the increasing energy need in parallel cause rapid destruction and extinction in very short periods of time. Many microorganisms, fungi, plants and animals will be destroyed unless this process is reversed. The extinction of species and deteriorating ecosystem will adversely affect human access to clean water, air and healthy food.

Biodiversity defines and evaluates both the genetic diversity and the environments in which all living things on earth are living, from single-celled organisms to large organisms. The source of richness of species diversity is the ecosystem that are different and unique in the world. On the other hand, the sustainability of these ecosystems depends on the diversity and health of the species they host. On earth there are 35 important ecosystems. While these ecosystems represent 2-3% of the world, they host the most endemic plants, birds, reptiles and frogs. For instance rain forests cover only 7% of all terrestrial areas but about half of all species in the world are in this region.

Turkey is located at the intersection of three of these 35 points with plant diversity close to 11 thousand species. In our lands 3078 plants grows that are not found anywhere else in the world. Because most of them live in very narrow spaces, they are referred to as narrow-spread species and are rare species that should be preserved.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

The continuation of mankind’s life is related to the sustainability of ecosystems and biodiversity that are intact. Because we benefit from ecosystem both directly and indirectly. Wood, timber, medicinal plants, edible wild fruits and plants, food, animal feed etc. are products and materials that we obtain directly from ecosystems. Natural ecosystems host plants and animal species that humans and other organisms as nutrients. For example, from many different forests we can get many kinds of fruit, nut, mushroom, honey, spices and etc. Ecosystems have regulatory and restorative properties. It has important functions in preserving natural balance and reducing natural disasters. For example wetland ecosystems provide flood control, while forest ecosystems play an important role in the regulation of climate, clearing the air and regulating carbon balance. In addition, in these ecosystems, the more variety of life is, the healthier it is and the products we receive are clean. Natural areas are places that are needed for both technological and aesthetic values and are the source of inspiration for almost all discoveries. As a result of urbanization, people who need more natural areas want to explore nature by resting in park, forest or seaside. In fact, the more diversity we have, the stronger and stronger we really are. Human beings, who are part of biodiversity, have to realize that they must protect nature for the continuation of their generation.

There are many institutions and organizations that work for the protection of nature and sustainable use of natural resources at national and international level. The biology of conservation, which was laid in the 1980s, has been developing as a branch of science that deals with all kinds of activities that examine, document and protect biodiversity with many different disciplines.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

The international organizations are remarkable for the openness of natural life. These communities are able to make their voices heard by reaching the round point of clear translation secrecy. With its advocacy efforts, TEMA Foundation draws attention to the irreversible rapid destruction in natural environments, while carrying our educational studies to spread ecological literacy while focusing on environmental policies. World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) in Turkey, dealing with local people for biodiversity conservation community at the national level. They are working to ensure that the sea turtles are protected effectively, products containing palm trees can be taken, warns the public about the reasons for the destruction of rainforest in Indonesia. Greenpeace Mediterranean carries out various campaigns to draw attention to climate change and fisheries policies. By rejecting genetically modified organisms, the target supports agriculture to protect biodiversity. In addition to all these there are many others. We have large power individually. Let us not forget that we can make a significant contribution to the sustainability of natural life with every product, member or volunteer we prefer. The benefits of biodiversity and ecosystems to humanity, their contribution to science or aesthetic value have their own values and they have the right to exist.

                                                                                                                                  UMUT KARADENİZ