Biodiversity

Biodiversity-
Current State of Biodiversity and Major Threats-
1. Wildlife Population Decline
- Since 1970, wildlife populations have declined by 73% on average, and this trend is
accelerating.
- The Living Planet Report 2024 highlights that freshwater species have faced the
sharpest decline, with a 85% drop in population sizes. This is largely due to habitat
degradation, pollution, and overfishing.
- In Latin America and the Caribbean, biodiversity has suffered even more dramatically,
with an alarming 95% drop in wildlife populations
- Loss of predators, such as wolves or big cats, can lead to overpopulation of prey
species, disrupting the entire food chain. In freshwater ecosystems
- Declining fish populations affect not just biodiversity but also local livelihoods, as many
communities depend on fishing for food and income
2. Habitat Degradation
- Human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to massive
habitat loss.
- More than 75% of terrestrial ecosystems have been impacted by human activities, while
66% of marine environments face similar degradation.
- This threatens species that depend on specific ecosystems like rainforests, wetlands,
and coral reefs
- Forest fragmentation, for instance, reduces the available space for species, often
isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity, which makes them more vulnerable
to disease and environmental changes.
- In the Amazon, deforestation not only contributes to species loss but also disrupts the
carbon cycle, exacerbating climate change.
3. Climate Change
- Climate change is exacerbating biodiversity loss by altering habitats and species’

behavior.
- For example, the Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average, melting ice
and reducing the available habitat for polar bears and other ice-dependent species.
- Coral reefs are bleaching due to warmer oceans, leading to massive biodiversity loss in
marine ecosystems
- The rise in sea levels and temperature fluctuations change the growing seasons for
plants, the migration patterns of birds, and the availability of food for animals.
- Species that cannot adapt quickly enough or migrate to more favorable conditions are at
risk of extinction.
- Coral reefs, which host 25% of marine species, are particularly vulnerable to
temperature changes. Even a 1°C increase can lead to coral bleaching, where the
symbiotic relationship between corals and algae breaks down, resulting in the death of
corals and the collapse of the ecosystem
4. Pollution
- Pollution from chemicals, plastics, and agricultural runoff is causing widespread harm to
biodiversity.
- Over 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, and it’s estimated that
over 1 million marine animals die each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement
- Pollution has severe long-term effects on ecosystems.
- Microplastics contaminate food chains, poisoning species from the smallest plankton to
the largest marine mammals.
- Meanwhile, agricultural runoff, which carries pesticides and fertilizers, leads to
eutrophication in water bodies, resulting in oxygen-deprived "dead zones" where marine
life cannot survive.
- Soil pollution due to excessive use of chemicals harms terrestrial ecosystems, reducing
agricultural productivity and damaging the health of land-dwelling species
5. Invasive Species
- Non-native species that are introduced either accidentally or intentionally into new
ecosystems often disrupt the local environment by outcompeting native species for
resources.
- The Burmese python in the Everglades preys on local mammals, amphibians, and birds,
causing a sharp decline in native populations
- Invasive species often do not face natural predators in their new environments, allowing
them to reproduce and spread unchecked.
- This disrupts the balance of local food webs and can lead to the extinction of native
species.
- Zebra mussels in the Great Lakes, for example, have dramatically altered freshwater
ecosystems by outcompeting native shellfish and reducing biodiversity
Importance of Biodiversity
1. Ecological Balance: Biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by regulating

essential processes like pollination, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and water purification.
These processes enable natural ecosystems to thrive and provide services that support
human life, such as clean air and water
2. Climate Regulation: Healthy ecosystems, like forests and oceans, act as carbon sinks,
absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and helping to mitigate the effects of climate
change. For instance, tropical forests absorb around 25% of global carbon emissions
annually. Without biodiversity, these carbon-absorbing ecosystems would weaken,
exacerbating climate impacts.
3. Human Health: A diverse range of species provides medicinal resources. It is estimated
that 70% of pharmaceutical drugs are derived from natural sources, including plants,
fungi, and microorganisms. This diversity is essential for the development of new
treatments and understanding diseases
4. Economic Value: Biodiversity is an economic asset. Eco-tourism, fisheries, and
agriculture rely on the conservation of species. For example, pollinators like bees
contribute billions of dollars annually to the global economy by pollinating crops.
Case studies-
1. Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon is often referred to as the "lungs of the

planet" due to its immense role in producing oxygen and absorbing carbon
dioxide. However, it has been facing large-scale deforestation, driven by logging,
agriculture, and urbanization. Studies show that 17% of the Amazon has been
destroyed in the past 50 years, which not only threatens the global climate but
also diminishes biodiversity, as the rainforest is home to millions of species. This
ongoing deforestation could create a tipping point where the Amazon becomes
a net carbon emitter instead of a carbon sink
.
2. Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is one of the most
biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, supporting thousands of species of marine life.
However, it has suffered significant coral bleaching due to warming ocean
temperatures caused by climate change. The loss of coral directly impacts the
marine species that depend on it for food and shelter. In recent decades, half of
the reef’s coral cover has disappeared, and many species face the threat of
extinction if the bleaching continues
3. Ganges River Dolphin: The Ganges River Dolphin, an endangered species

native to India’s Ganges River, is a symbol of freshwater biodiversity. The
population of these dolphins has significantly declined due to pollution, water
damming, and overfishing. Conservation efforts such as habitat restoration and
stricter anti-pollution measures have been initiated to protect this species and the
freshwater ecosystem it depends on
Conservation Efforts-
1. Protected Areas: Protected areas are one of the most common and effective
conservation strategies. As of 2024, 16% of land and 8% of oceans are under
protection. However, there is a global target to expand this to 30% of terrestrial
and marine areas by 2030. These areas provide safe havens for endangered
species and help to maintain ecosystems that provide critical services. For
instance, the Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. is a key sanctuary for many
species like wolves and bison, demonstrating the effectiveness of protected
areas in maintaining biodiversity
2. Reforestation Projects: Reforestation initiatives, such as the Great Green Wall
in Africa, aim to restore ecosystems that have been degraded by desertification.
The Great Green Wall, which aims to restore 100 million hectares of land by
2030, is part of the African Union’s effort to combat climate change, improve food
security, and halt biodiversity loss
3. Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable farming techniques like agroforestry, crop
rotation, and organic farming help preserve biodiversity while maintaining
agricultural productivity. These methods promote soil health, reduce pesticide
use, and protect pollinators like bees. For example, in regions like Costa Rica,
farmers are integrating sustainable practices with conservation to protect local
wildlife while maintaining productive farms
4. Wildlife Corridors: Wildlife corridors are created to allow species to move
between habitats, which is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and
reducing the impacts of habitat fragmentation. Projects like the Florida Panther
National Wildlife Refuge provide safe passageways for animals, helping maintain
ecological balance by ensuring animals have access to resources across larger
areas

Biodiversity

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Biodiversity-

Current State of Biodiversity and Major Threats-

1. Wildlife Population Decline

- Climate change is exacerbating biodiversity loss by altering habitats and species’

1. Ecological Balance: Biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by regulating

1. Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon is often referred to as the "lungs of the

3. Ganges River Dolphin: The Ganges River Dolphin, an endangered species

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