Biodiversity : The necessity of abundant life

“The sheer diversity of life (on Earth) is of inestimable value. It provides a foundation for the continued existence of a healthy planet and our own well-being.”

Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the variety of life on Earth. The plants, animals and microorganism; the genes that make up these species and the ecosystems wherein these species live all make up the biodiversity of the living world.

The greater the biodiversity; the greater the variety of these elements within an ecosystem. Greater biodiversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms by maintaining the natural cycle of life. Each species depends on the other and performs a necessary function to maintain and renew the biological system.

Biological diversity is usually considered at three different levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

A healthy biological system relies on a diversity of all three elements:

• Genetic diversity is essential for a species to evolve, resits diseases, avoid genetic defects and possible extinction.
• The diversity of species is crucial to maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. The depletion of one species can lead to the increase of another, upsetting the cycle and balance of life and resulting in environmental or species degradation.
• Ecosystem diversity is paramount to the patterns of life on Earth, affecting our climate and the survival of all living organisms.

Diverse and balanced biological systems provide the necessary functions to maintain a sustainable and healthy planet, including:

• Protection of waterways
• Soil formation and protection
• Nutrient Storage
• Pollution breakdown and absorption
• Contribution to climate stability
• Maintenance of ecosystems
• Recovery from unpredictable events (source: Biodiversity series, Paper no. 1 )

A healthy ecosystem rich in biodiversity is better equipped to withstand and recover from natural and man-made environmental threats and disasters and provides the necessary elements for the continued survival of our planet.

“Almost all cultures have in some way or form recognized the importance that nature, and its biological diversity has had upon them and the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance.”

As a society we have increasingly adverse effects on the living world and have disrupted or demised the biodiversity of many of the earth’s natural systems.

Through conventional farming methods, mining, forestry, fishing, population growth, urban expansion and an unsustainable lifestyle we have contributed drastically to the pollution, destruction, imbalance, degradation and loss of habitats, species and gene pools.

Reducing the biodiversity of the Earth reduces its ability to cope and adapt to the rapid changes we as a society are inflicting upon it.

“The conservation of biological diversity seeks to maintain the life-support system provided by nature in all its variety, and the living resources essential for ecologically sustainable development.”

Biological conservation and sustainable development strategies are necessary to ensure we as a society do not continue to exploit and damage the natural cycle of this living planet that is our home. A move towards, organic farming methods, sustainable resources and environmentally conscience development as well as a shift away from our polluting and wasteful lifestyle is the key to once again playing our part in the cycle of life.

Like all organism, we live in a system that depends on mutual survival. The survival of our species and all others depends on our ability to live sustainable and in balance with the natural systems of the earth.

There are many things all of us can do the help reduce our negative impact on the living world.

• Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and fertilizers in your own garden. The presence of these elements reduces biodiversity by killing off vital parts of the ecological cycle. Try utilising organic or more natural methods that work to promote healthy soil and natural pest resistance.
• Join a conservation group in your area that is working to restore natural habitats by planting native species and helping to reduce invasive species
• Choose to live a more sustainable lifestyle by reducing your dependency on throw away consumer goods, non-environmentally friendly products and practices. Reduce, reuse and recycle or make positive product choices. If we can reduce our need for and dependency on natural resources and decreases consumption of wasteful polluting goods; we can aid in the conservation and renewal of the Earth’s natural habitats.
• Choose to buy organic where available. Organic foods and products are produced more sustainably and without the need for many of the negative practices of conventional farming that have for many years be contributing to the reduction in biodiversity
• Aim to reduce energy consumption in our homes and workplaces and we can reduce the need for fossil fuels and the adverse effects of mining on natural habitats
• Let people know of the importance of biodiversity, be vocal in your communities and support, products people and business that promote biodiversity and ecological sustainability.

Let us all work together to maintain a healthy, sustainable, rich and diverse biological system to preserve the balance and stability of our living planet.

This list was generated with the help of
10 things you can do to help biodiversity
By David Hooper

Quotes sourced from Biodiversity series, Paper no. 1 and Global Issues

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"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." ~Hellen Keller