Loss of Biodiversity as a Global Problem, and a Prerequisite to Addressing It Urgently - Essay Example

Loss of Biodiversity Ai Van Nguyen English 100WB 12/03 All human beings depend on biodiversity across the globe. Biodiversity links allspecies on earth into a one wholesome and interdependent ecosystem without which species will perish. The loss of biodiversity on earth has accelerated to unprecedented levels in the past half a century than any other period in the recorded history of mankind. Human beings are depleting over twenty-five percent of biodiversity than earth can support. Loss of biodiversity will cause severe food shortages owing to droughts, flooding and lowered energy security. Moreover, it will lead to depletion of fresh water and the general shortage of raw materials used to make necessary goods (Wood, Stedman-Edwards, & Mang). The fundamental drivers of the loss of biodiversity include overuse of land and natural resources, habitat change, pollution from industrialization, unwarranted and excessive invasion of species beyond their normal territory and too much application of fertilizers. Biodiversity can be conserved through management programs that establish protected areas. Preventing loss by authorities has shown to be most reliable and viable. There must also be strong institutions that foster the integration of biodiversity initiatives through informing societies of the need to safeguard biodiversity (Floyd & Matthew). However, many people (rich and poor) and institutions benefit economically from the loss of biodiversity but the cost to the entire society far outweighs the benefits. Governments and NGOs have heightened their efforts to mitigate further losses and engage in restoration of lost biodiversity. Their interventions have slowed the rate of loss although much more needs to be done so as to significantly reduce this rate. Introduction Loss of biodiversity has reactions all over the society, and this can be understood by first explaining what biodiversity means. Biodiversity involves the magnitude of disparity of life. It is an extent of the integration of diversity of creatures that occupy various ecosystems. These organisms have a mutual co-existence, and thus the survival of each one of them is tied to the other. We can mention two broad categories in the form of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Distribution of these organisms varies all over the world. The equator, the tropics and the different regions of the ocean have registered varying distribution of these organisms. Our areas of concern will be more focused on a number of aspects. Firstly, we shall discuss the essence of sustaining biodiversity. We shall be keen to identify why biodiversity is so crucial for the life of man and other organisms. Secondly, there will be necessity to discourse the leading roots of loss of biodiversity. Identifying these causes will give us a clear insight about what exactly is happening in these ecosystems. The major actions leading to depletion and extinction of some elements will be addressed. There will be a need to identify the consequences of loss of biodiversity. How the living organisms are affected in different forms of ecosystem is the most burning issue for those concerned today. There will be a need to come up with measures to address the loss of biodiversity. Corrective procedures to address the problem are an area of concern. Significance of Biodiversity Understanding the importance biodiversity will help us appreciate the need to counter its loss. The organisms that make up the biosphere sustain its existence in a number of ways (assessment). These organisms ensure continuous production of food materials that sustain life. For instance, growth of vegetation ensures that that the herbivores have something to feed on. The herbivores in return complete a food chain for a man and the carnivores. The carnivores eventually die, decay and decompose and lead to the formation of humus and other nutrients in the soil. With the help of other organisms like earthworms, nutrients such as nitrogen are generated and facilitate continuous growth of more vegetation. This illuminates a cycle of interdependence that shades light on the importance of every element of an ecosystem. The organisms need each other for a balanced ecosystem. The extensive biodiversity on planet earth has sustained the life of man. We have been able to live on without extinction credit to the ecosystem. The organisms have helped sustain the hydrological cycle that ensures continuous supply of water to a man and other organisms. Out rightly, water is life. More vegetation can grow with the availability of this water hence food for the primary consumers. The various species on the planet have always provided man with medicinal substances. Man has obtained medications like penicillin and inoculations from natural organisms. These medications have been used to save the lives of people in the society. Even the most modern technology cannot provide such drugs. These organisms therefore have been used as a basis of raw supplies for many industries. They also generate revenue for administrations through tourism. We can now appreciate the need to counter the loss of biodiversity (Camp 285). Leading causes of loss of biodiversity This is the area that demands more concern as it has harmed the ecosystems in so many ways. Loss of biodiversity is largely attributed to man as an enemy of the environment. Human beings have greedily tried to harness natural resources without well laid strategies, just for short term benefits. In so doing, he has threatened biodiversity in a number of ways. Human beings have led to alteration and loss of the habitats. Man has always tried to establish settlement, industrial development and perform agriculture. In so doing, he has led to changes and modifications that have led to fragmentation of the natural flow of living organisms. Some species do not acclimatize to such changes and thus become wiped out. Another leading cause of this loss is the introduction of exotic species and genetically modified creatures. These organisms are introduced in the natural environment and affects ecological equilibrium. Natural organisms are never in a position to coexist with them and thus become extinct in the process. Overexploitation of resources by man has been an area of concern. Acquisition of materials from forests, aquatic ecosystem, and other areas has led to the depletion of some of these natural organisms. Man has lost sense of responsibility, and all we see is extinction. Climate change has attributed to loss of some elements of biodiversity. Cases of global warming brought about by man have affected aquatic and terrestrial life. Pollution by man has played a big role in this. All these and many other factors have contributed largely to the loss of biodiversity. Consequences of loss of biodiversity Complete absence of some elements in the ecosystem poses many risks to human life and other members of the planet earth (Hellen). The tendency of man to alter and reduce biodiversity of vegetation affects the productivity of land. The overall result is an effect on agriculture, the quality of water and effective land use. The primary consumers are on the receiving end and thus suffer from hunger and starvation, and there could be incidences of extinction. This in return affects other organisms in a particular food chain and hence a serious case of ecological disequilibrium. This poses a great danger to all living things including man (Krishnaswamy). Distribution of green plants has a direct implication on climate. Depletion of flora alters the performance of the whole ecosystem. Less amount of vegetation means that there is reduced absorption of carbon (IV) oxide hence its accumulation in the atmosphere. This leads to global warming an element that affects weather pattern posing terrestrial and marine life to danger. Aquatic life has been endangered in so many ways through such activities like fishing and pollution, the have been reported cases of reduced ocean biodiversity (Anup). Amphibians are fewer in number, and their ecosystem is totally shaken. Such organisms are used as a source of food for man and thus pose a danger of his extinction from hunger and starvation. Extinction of species from an ecosystem will mean that man will not have such sources as medicinal plants that accomplish more than all the modern medicine. His health will be in danger and chances of extinction will be high (Green facts Scientific Board). Measures to address loss of biodiversity Nations should oversee increased coordination in international environmental agreements in an attempt to safeguard the ecosystems. Treaties should be honored, and leaders should ensure that such rules put across are observed in their respective nations. There is a need to integrate biodiversity conservation strategies with the broad frameworks of the public budget of the nation. The financial commitments that come with environmental conservation should not derive as an amazement. They should be budgeted for and addressed as fundamental needs. There should be greater transparency and culpability of involved stakeholders in matters regarding the ecosystems. The way industrial wastes are handled and discomposed to the environment should always be well monitored to avoid cases of land and water pollution. Governments should communicate to stakeholders like United Nations Environmental Program on what strategies are used to deal with wastes. Nuclear wastes should never be dumped in water bodies. There is a need to engage in afforestation and reforestation to address climatic change. Planting of trees will generate more vegetation, and this will better climatic patterns in the world at large. This ensures that life of living organisms is not exposed to extinction. Application of agricultural techniques that increase production over a small area would solve the problem of encroachment and clearing of forests in search of more land for food production. This would minimize loss of biodiversity. Conclusion Loss of biodiversity is a global problem, and it is a prerequisite to address it urgently. This should be looked at as a collective responsibility, and every member of this planet should see that the life of every living creature is at stake. If enough is not done in time, we will all be extinct by the 23rd century. Work Cited Anup, Shah. Loss of biodiversity and extinctions. 19 Jan 2014. 09 Dec 2014 . assesment, Millenium ecosystem. "Biodiversity and human well being." Facts on health and environment (2014). Hellen, Jones. "Risks of Biodiversity Loss Pose a global threat." The Wall Stret Journal (2011). organization, World health. Biodiversity: climate change and human health. 2014. 9 Dec 2014 . Floyd, R., & Matthew, R. Environmental security: Approaches and issues. London, UK: Routledge, 2013. Print. Wood, A., Stedman-Edwards, P., & Mang, J. The root causes of biodiversity loss. London, UK: Routledge, 2013. Print. Camp, Richard J., et al. "Bird Populations On The Island Of Tinian: Persistence Despite Wholesale Loss Of Native Forests." Pacific Science 66.3 (2012): 283-298. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Nov. 2014. Accessed on November 4, 2014 from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=940dcb07-3364-493a-93bb-8eaf40974493%40sessionmgr114&vid=1&hid=119 http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7050a719-8eeb-491a-86df-b8b3956a0745%40sessionmgr115&vid=0&hid=119 Green facts Scientific Board. Biodiversity & Human Well-being. Facts on Health and Environment. October 1, 2014. Accessed on October 3, 2014 from http://www.greenfacts.org/en/biodiversity/ Krishnaswamy, Ajit. Participatory Research: Strategies and Tools. Practitioner: Newsletter of the National Network of Forest Practitioners 22: 17-2. 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