Download Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the rich variety of life on Earth

Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the rich variety of life on Earth, including animals,
plants, fungi and bacteria.
Scientists often measure biodiversity as the number
of species in an area, but it is also the diversity of
genes within species and the diversity of
ecosystems (such as coral reefs, forests, prairies,
wetlands) on the
planet.
Scientists have identified about 1.7 million species,
but estimate that there may be as many as 100
million species on Earth.1 Many species-rich
ecosystems, including tropical forests, coral reefs,
and the deep ocean, have barely been explored. The
vast majority of biodiversity awaits discovery.
Species and ecosystems provide essential goods
and services upon which human well-being
depends.
Activities of species in ecosystems provide ecosystem services that are our
natural life-support systems.
Bacteria, algae and plants remove carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere and replenish
it with oxygen. Forests for example are
particularly important ‘sinks’ for carbon
dioxide and so are key factors in reducing
global climate change.2, 3
Wetlands and the plants, animals and
microorganisms in them, act as
sponges to reduce the impacts of
floods and the cleanse streams by
filtering sediments, nutrients and
contaminants from inflowing waters.2
Natural enemies (predators and parasites) of disease
carrying organisms (such as ticks and mosquitoes) control
diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease,
Argentine hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus and cholera.4
Natural enemies of agricultural pests provide a pest control
service in America valued at $54 billion a year.2
Insects pollinate crops
worth $6-12 billion a year
in the USA alone.2
Biodiversity also provides goods that humans need such as food, fuel, fiber and
medicines. These support economies including agriculture, fisheries, forestry
and industry.
More than 7,000 species of plants around
the world are cultivated or are harvested
from the wild for food.5
Fish and other animal species from the
sea account for 20% of the total animal
protein consumed annually, at a value of
$50 – 100 billion.2
Wild relatives of crop species often
have high resistance to pests, disease
and harsh conditions. Breeders use their
genes to strengthen crops such as rice,
potatoes, wheat and tomatoes.6
Scientists also use genes from wild
relatives of crops to improve their
nutritional quality, for example
increasing protein content of wheat,
vitamin C in tomatoes and levels of
anti-cancer compounds in broccoli.6
118 of the top 150
prescription drugs in
America contain chemicals
derived from plants, fungi
and other species.4
Biodiversity also provides natural beauty and wild places that are the inspiration for
spirituality and art and provide opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
The rapid expansion of human populations and consumption in recent decades has
placed enormous stresses on natural ecosystems and species within them. Loss of
and damage to habitats, over-harvesting, and introduction of non-native species to
new areas are major causes of species extinction and endangerment.
Scientists estimate that species extinctions are occurring 100 to 1,000 times faster
than without human influence. They predict that 10 to 20 percent of Earth’s
species will be driven to extinction within the next 20 to 50 years.1, 3 Many will
be lost before they are even discovered. We are experiencing the sixth mass
extinction event in the history of life on Earth – and the only one that is humancaused.
Almost all rainforests may be gone by 2050,1 lost to deforestation for timber,
mining, road-building and human settlements
60 percent of the world’s coral reefs are threatened by human activities such as
fisheries, tourism, mining and oil exploration, sedimentation, pollution and
disease.7
60 percent of the world’s fisheries are over-exploited or nearing their limit of
exploitation.8 Even historically abundant fish such as cod, haddock, redfish and
yellowtail flounder, have been so severely over-fished that current levels are the
lowest on record. In almost every kind of fishery, non-target marine life is also
captured and killed such as dolphins, seals, and turtles.
Populations of insects that pollinate crops are declining through loss of habitat
and use of pesticides. Honeybee colonies in the US have fallen 25 percent since
1990.9
Soils and the nutrient recycling biodiversity they contain, are being depleted
faster than their ability to renew themselves, due to pollution and poor soil
management.2
Wild relatives of crops are at risk from habitat degradation and loss.5, 6
Between 1996 and 2000 the number of critically endangered primates increased
from 13 to 19, threatened albatrosses increased from 3 to 16, critically
endangered freshwater turtles increased from 10 to 24.10 The year 2000 saw the
first loss of a primate species from the face of the planet in 100 years, when
Miss Waldron’s Red Colobus Monkey was declared extinct.11
Although the biodiversity crisis is real, devastation is not inevitable. By acting quickly
and wisely we can stem the loss of biodiversity. Scientists, policymakers and the public
can work together to live sustainably, so that we can benefit from biodiversity and also
conserve it for the future.
• Studying species around the world, their habitats and
interactions with humans, to learn about biodiversity,
how it is changing and how we can conserve it.
• Making their findings available to policymakers, to
inform decisions such as the U.S. Endangered Species
Act, which uses the best available scientific information
on the species situation in the wild to decide whether it
should be listed for protection.
• Making their findings available to members of the public
to help people make informed decisions. Initiatives such
as the International Biodiversity Observation Year
(IBOY) 2001-2002, directed from Colorado State
University, are helping scientists communicate their
findings.
More information on scientific biodiversity research and outreach taking place during the
IBOY can be found on the handout on IBOY projects and at
http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY/projects.html
More information on scientific biodiversity research from Colorado State University’s Natural
Research Ecology Laboratory can be found in the booths at the Denver Museum of Science and
Nature and at http://www.nrel.colostate.edu
Be informed, be aware and make informed decisions
Find out:
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•
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What biodiversity is and why it is important for you, your family and the things that you value
The effect your actions have on biodiversity
What you can do to help conserve biodiversity
To learn more about biodiversity and why it is important, we recommend:
Book – Biodiversity , by Edward O. Wilson. 1988. National Academy Press.
Journal – National Geographic
Website – Union of Concerned Scientists’ Frequently Asked Questions About Biodiversity http://www.ucsusa.org/environment/biodiv.faq.html
To learn about the effects you actions have on biodiversity, we recommend:
For information on things to be aware of when buying fish in the store or restaurant and the most
environmentally friendly choices, visit SeaWeb’s http://www.seafoodchoices.com/seasense/
See how your elected officials vote on biodiversity issues at the League of Conservation Voters Website
http://www.lcv.org/index.html
Check out The Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of
Concerned Scientists, by Michael Brower and Leon Warren. 1999. Three Rivers Press.
To help conserve biodiversity:
Do:
9 Join local, state, national and even international natural history societies, museums and botanic gardens,
and conservation organizations. Contact information for some of these is given in Biodiversity
Resources for Adults and Biodiversity Resources for Kids.
9 Become informed about legislation that affects the world’s biodiversity and share your concerns with
your elected representatives
9 Plant for wildlife and pollinators in your garden and avoid herbicides and pesticides
9 Shop smart/shop green
9 Buy US (where species protection laws are stronger than some other countries)
9 Avoid buying from countries with bad wildlife conservation policies
9 Avoid rare or rainforest woods (e.g. mahogany, teak, balsa)
9 Buy green products or environmentally certified products (e.g. organic, unbleached recycled,
minimum dyed)
9 Use less to reduce your consumption (gas mileage, electricity, etc).
9 Take care of your belongings so they won’t have to be replaced as often
9 Reuse and recycle
9 Drive slowly and attentively in wildlife areas
Don’t:
Buy imported exotic and invasive species, for your garden or for pets
Release non-native species into the wild, e.g. bait fish, plants
Wait for other people to act first
References
1. Nature and Human Society: The Quest for a Sustainable World. Edited by Peter H. Raven. 2000.
National Academy Press.
2. Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Edited by Gretchen C. Daily.
1997. Island Press
3. Frequently Asked Questions About Biodiversity.
http://www.ucsusa.org/environment/biodiv.faq.html
4. Eric Chivian. 2001. Environment and Health: 7. Species Loss and Ecosystem Disruption – the
Implications for Human Health, by Eric Chivian. 2001. Canadian Medical Association Journal
164: 66-69.
5. Personal Communication, Dr. Stefano Padulosi, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute,
Italy.
6. Personal Communication, Dr. Vernon Heywood, University of Reading, UK
7. Coral Reefs: Critical Biodiversity and Fisheries Resources
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR/coralhome.html
8. Peter M. Vitousek, Harold A. Mooney, Jane Lubchenco, Jerry M. Melillo. 1997. Human
Domination of Earth’s Ecosystems. Science 277: 494-499.
9. The Essential Reasons to Protect the Birds and the Bees.
http://www.desertmuseum.org/conservation/fp/ten_reasons.html
10. The IUCN Red List 2000. http://iucn.org/redlist/2000/index.html
11. Alison Jolley. 1999. Monkeys in the Back Garden. Science 291: 1705-1706.
For more information, contact the IBOY Secretariat at
Colorado State University
Tel: (970) 491-1984
Website: http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/IBOY/index2.html