Earth is home to millions of discovered species of plants and animals, and there are many more we don’t yet know about. They all play a crucial role in each other, their ecosystems and the overall health of the planet, forming what is known as biological diversity.
But what exactly is biodiversity? It is a shortened version of two scientific terms: biological diversity. Essentially it just means that you have a variety of living things. According to the Smithsonian, there are three main levels of biodiversity that scientists commonly refer to, including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity. Under these categories, researchers want to identify how many and what types of species there are, what the genetic makeup of those individual species is and is passed down through generations, and which species populations are found in different environments, such as waterways and forests.
“These levels cannot be separated,” the Smithsonian says. “Each is important because it interacts with and influences others. Changes at one level change at other levels.”
Why is biodiversity important?
A species’ ability to thrive is essential not only to its survival, but in many cases to the survival of others. One of the clearest examples of this is bumblebees. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are 49 species of bumblebees in the U.S., and they all move from flower to flower, picking up nectar and pollen along the way. Not only does this help feed individual bees, but the transport of nectar and pollen also allows plant species to thrive.
However, research has shown that climate change threatens their survival. Researchers find that the chance that a bumblebee population will survive has become smaller. decreased by an average of 30% within one generation of people.
Honey bees also play a crucial role in biodiversity. The USDA says they pollinate $15 billion worth of crops every year, supporting the lives of more than 130 agricultural products. The honey they produce, which people have come to love and enjoy, is also worth millions.
What is biodiversity loss?
As important as biodiversity is, the time has come under significant threat. In 2019 there is a United Nations One report shows that roughly 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, while a newer report suggests that as many as 6 million species could become extinct in the next 50 years.
“Major immediate threats to biodiversity include habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution and global climate change,” says the American Museum of Natural History. “The underlying causes of biodiversity loss, such as growing human populations and overconsumption, are often complex and arise from many interconnected factors.”
How many species are there?
Scientists estimate that there are about 8.7 million species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms on Earth, including about 2.2 million species that live in the world’s oceans. But even that number is low for the actual amount of life on Earth.
“Despite 250 years of taxonomic classification and more than 1.2 million species already cataloged in a central database, our results suggest that approximately 86% of extant species on Earth and 91% of species in the ocean still await description researchers said in a report. 2011 study. “Renewed interest in further exploration and taxonomy is needed if this significant gap in our knowledge of life on Earth is to be closed.”
But new species are being discovered all the time. By 2023, scientists at London’s Natural History Museum say they will have discovered 815 new species, from geckos to algae and swamp eels. And that’s just one group of scientists.
Since Earth Day 2023, thousands of other species have been discovered, including more than 5,500 species in a single area, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone between Hawaii and Mexico. Researchers have also discovered new species hedgehogsa deepwater catsharkAn “electric” blue tarantulaand a deep sea octopus.
“The bad news, however, is that biodiversity is declining,” says the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) Red List, the world’s most comprehensive list of the conservation status of species.
The Red List contains more than 157,100 species, of which 44,000 occur according to the group. threatened with extinction – more than a quarter of all species assessed by the IUCN.
How to help and protect biodiversity
While species decline is still a serious problem, there are things everyone can do to help what’s happening in their own backyard.
For example, if you have a garden, choosing native plants and wildflowers can be a huge boost to the local ecosystem. Native plants, which are plants that grow naturally in a region, are vital to an area’s biological web, helping to reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides needed and providing ample opportunities for pollination. According to the National Audobon Society, they also require less water to sustain them and can help store greenhouse gases, which are a major driver of climate change when present in the atmosphere.
If you enjoy hiking or spending time outdoors, it is also important to respect nature. Following hiking trails and trails is not only for your safety, but also for that of the species around you. Constantly disturbing habitats or walking on plant life can damage an ecosystem.
Reducing and reusing materials is also crucial, as landfills and pollution can harm life on Earth, especially marine life. Consider buying items secondhand and instead of throwing away old clothes or items around the house, find a way to reuse them, sell them or donate them.
Essentially, it’s all about taking care of the home outside of your home.
“It is within our power to change our actions to help ensure the survival of species and the health and integrity of ecological systems,” says the American Museum of Natural History. “…Although we may not be able to prevent everything negative human impact on biodiversityWith knowledge, we can work to change the direction and shape of our effects on the rest of life on Earth.”
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