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Download Biodiversity is the variety of life. It can be studied on different scopes
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Biodiversity is the variety of life. It can be studied on different scopes, from biodiversity of the entire planet Earth to biodiversity within a small pond. Most people perceive biodiversity as numbers of species, and species is a group of living organisms that are capable of interbreeding and exchanging genes. In fact, it is estimated that there are somewhere between 3 to 30 million species on Earth, and only 1.7 million have been identified. However, to accurately catalogue all life on Earth, we also have to take into consideration other branches such as genetic biodiversity and ecological biodiversity. Genetic biodiversity is the variety of genes within a certain species. For example, all dogs are categorized as one species, but their genes can dictate what breed of dog it is, such as a german shepherd or a pit bull. The genes in these dogs is the reason dogs come in different sizes, colours, and shapes. Ecological biodiversity is the diversification of natural habitats and ecosystems. In other words, ecological biodiversity looks at the different ways species interact with the environment and with each other. Biodiversity is important to us because it provides us and our economy a range of different foods and materials. Without biodiversity, supermarkets would have significantly less items to be purchased. Biodiversity is responsible for many of the ecological services, including providing oxygen for us to breathe, absorbing toxic chemicals, and cleaning polluted water. Genetic diversity allows species to better adjusts to adversities such as change in environment and diseases. Not only does genetic diversity benefit the species, it also helps the ecosystem. For example, after a fire or flood, a forest with 20 reptiles is more likely to adapt than another forest with only one reptile. Extinction, throughout the history of the Earth, has been common, in fact, most species that has ever existed on Earth are now extinct. Those extinctions are usually caused by the natural environmental shifts that happen over very long periods of time, such as Ice Ages. However, extinctions are happening at an alarming rate nowadays, most of which are caused by human activities. In fact, experts “estimate that around 30% of all species on Earth will be extinct by 2050” (Rinkesh 2017). Over exploitation, habitat loss, and the introduction of foreign species and diseases are all caused by humans and have direct impact on biodiversity, other factors such as climate change and pollution can also disturb biodiversity all across the globe. These are all caused by human activities such as excessive logging, over-fishing, crops, failure to properly treat toxic chemical substances. While crops like these exist all of North America, they pose a risk to biodiversity. The presence and cultivation of field crops, orchards, horticultural crops, vineyards, ranches, and feedlots directly inflict habitat loss, population fragmentation, pollution from animal waste. The waste form pesticides is harmful towards the surrounding environment. Grazing can impact the native plant life. Overfishing is a large threat to biodiversity and is an issue especially important to British Columbia. Salmon stocks are in serious decline; because salmon lies at the very centre BC’s ecology, history and identity. Locally, the Vancouver Park Board has approved a plan that will increase the quality and size of the natural areas such as forests, wetlands, shorelines, streams, and meadows in Vancouver. The Park Board Chair, Sarah Kirby-Yung stated, “Our Biodiversity Strategy lays the foundation for the sustained ecological health of our city.” The Biodiversity Strategy aims to develop and expand important habitats for pollinators, birds, urban salmon and herring, and other wildlifes such as otters and beavers. These are done in an attempt to preserve the biodiversity that is important in our society and world. Not only is the government treating the subject of biodiversity seriously, there are also things we can do as citizens to help with the problem. One way to protect the biodiversity locally is to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat. A Certified Wildlife Habitat provides shelter, water, food, and place to raise the young, as habitat loss is the greatest threats to biodiversity. The habitat provide crucial factors of a natural habitat that is needed for wildlife to survive and thrive. Works Cited Rinkesh. "What Is Biodiversity? Its Importance and Reasons for Loss of Biodiversity?" Conserve Energy Future. Rinkesh, 24 Dec. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. Subcommittee, Technical, and Component Report. Major Impacts to Biodiversity in British Columbia (n.d.): n. pag. Major Impact to Biodiversity in British Columbia. BBC. Web. 28 Feb. 2017. Vancouver, City Of. "Vancouver Park Board Wants Nature in the City, Not an Urban Jungle." City of Vancouver. RedDot CMS, 02 Feb. 2016. Web. 01 Mar. 2017. "What Is Biodiversity?" National Wildlife Federation. National Wildlife Federation, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.