What is Biodiversity?

HOW ARE HUMANS IMPACTING BIODIVERSITY?

     Climate change is impacting biodiversity, and human activities are the cause. Unfortunately, climate change will soon threaten (Bird Life International, 2005) all biodiversity with such a rapid change that reversal of the damage done will be impossible. “Changes in phenology and distribution detected among almost 500 species are overwhelmingly in the direction predicted from climate change” (Bird Life International, 2005). Many species will become extinct, as burning fossil fuels is a major reason for the climate change and a 2 Celsius change will be more than some species can bear for breeding purposes.  

     Threats to biodiversity can be described by using the acronym HIPPO which stands for; Habitat loss; Introduced species; Population; Pollution and over consumption. Habitat loss is due to such factors as noise pollution, heat, construction, fishing, logging, agriculture, damning, dredging, trawling, trampling and anchoring (Ocean link Island, n.d.). These are the works of the human hand, constantly destroying for “wants” without thinking about the environment and future generations.

IS MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY ESSENTIAL FOR HUMAN SUSTAINABILITY?

     Maintaining biodiversity is extremely essential for human sustainability. For example, forests help all organisms to sustain life by maintaining the chemical balance of soil, water, air, they stabilize climate, break down pollutants, recycle nutrients clean the water and air, are vital to soil formation, watershed protection, the habitat for wildlife and carbon storage (Boreal Forest, ). It seems that if trees bear fruits, and soil aids in the growth of vegetables, fish is healthy to eat, we eat animals, the circle of life keeps organisms alive, and water is essential to sustain life; then biodiversity is keeping humans alive.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAINTAIN TODAY’S CURRENT BIODIVERSITY LEVELS?

• Gene banks containing genetic material from plants and animals
• Promoting food security worldwide
• Preserving zoos and botanical gardens
• Create biodiversity protection laws (United Nations, n.d.)
• End the use of fossil fuel
• Ensure teachers make students use both sides of each paper
• Recycling
• Educate students and the whole of society of the dangers of human attitude toward the environment

        REFERENCES        

Bird Life International (2005) Climate change is already impacting biodiversity;

     Retrieved on August 31, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

     http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sowb/pressure/46.html

Boreal Forest (n.d.) World’s Boreal Forests: Canadian National Forest Strategy;

     Retrieved on August 31, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

     http://www.borealforest.org/world/can_mgmt06.htm

Department of the Environment and Heritage (2005) Biodiversity; Retrieved on August

     31, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/

National Biological Information Infrastructure (n.d.) Biodiversity; Retrieved on August

     31, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.nbii.gov/issues/biodiversity/

Ocean Link Island (n.d.) Ask a Scientist: Answers to Biodiversity Questions; Retrieved

     on August 31, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

     http://oceanlink.island.net/ask/biodiversity.html

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2003) Biodiversity; Retrieved on August 31, 2005

     from the World Wide Web: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/biodiversity/

United Nations (19, October 2004) Gene Banks Help Maintain Biodiversity, U.N Official

     Says. Retrieved on August 31, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

     http://usunrome.usembassy.it/UNIssues/biotech/docs/a4102002.htm

Wright, J. J., (2005). Environmental Science toward a Sustainable Future; Ninth Edition

     Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey