Biodiversity

Biodiversity is based on three pillars: ecosystem, species and genetic diversity. 

If you want to praise the natural resources of a certain area of ​​the world, you will speak about its biological diversity. This means that the area is populated with many different species. When such an ecosystem enters a new stage of evolution, it is formed of a much larger number of species than at the beginning of its development, because in the process of progress in it new niches are formed, each of which can use this or that specific species . An unstable ecosystem, as a rule, has one dominant species, much larger than all other species.

Biodiversity is the guarantee of life on our planet. Monocultures formed from only one species are very vulnerable, because if any damage occurs, it can completely destroy them. For example bees. Bees are the most useful work helpers of a gardener. They can be used in horticulture for pollination of fruit trees, which increases the yield. When a bee goes to a flower to produce nectar, it bears with it many grains of pollen that adhere to the body. Then it flies to another plant, one of these grains of pollen. The skin gets into the female organ of the flower and fertilize. In this case, the flower will turn into a fruit. The natural mechanism of pollination can be strengthened by placing beehives between the fruit trees in the garden. If one day all the bees will die, the whole planet will struggle with fruit shortage and then with famine. It can also cause economic problems in many eastern countries.

So we should understand that all species are interrelated and dependent on each other. The forests provide homes for animals. Animals eat plants. Plants need healthy soil for growth. Mushrooms help decompose organisms to fertilize the soil. Bees and other insects carry pollen from one plant to another, which allows flora to multiply. With less biodiversity, these relationships are weakened and sometimes destroyed, harming all species in the ecosystem.

Loss of biodiversity

Over the past hundred years biodiversity around the world has declined sharply. Many species have become extinct. Some species die out naturally and new species evolve. But human activity has changed the natural processes of extinction and evolution. Scientists estimate that at present, species are dying out hundreds of times faster than evolution requires. The main cause of biodiversity loss is the destruction of natural habitats. Fields, forests and wetlands, where wild plants and animals live, disappear. People clean the land to plant crops, build houses and businesses. Forests are cut for wood.

Global climate change is also a factor in reducing biodiversity around the world. Warmer ocean temperatures damage fragile ecosystems, such as coral reefs. One coral reef is capable of supporting the lives of 3,000 species of fish and other marine creatures, such as mollusks and starfish. People around the world are working to preserve biodiversity. Animals and plants are the most famous endangered organisms. Thousands of protected places have been created on our planet to protect plants, animals and ecosystems. Local, national and international organizations cooperate to preserve the biodiversity of regions that are threatened with development or natural disasters. People are also working to limit pollution and restore ecosystems. As ecosystems become healthier, their biodiversity increases.