Topic > The Importance of Conserving Biodiversity

Thesis Statement: As a global society we must find solutions to overpopulation, pollution, overuse of natural resources, and rapid climate change to attempt to conserve biodiversity; the interconnection that makes the world work. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay As the human population continues to grow and consume extra resources, biodiversity is threatened more than ever. Humanity's actions, such as forest clearing, fossil fuel use and urbanization, are having a direct effect on biodiversity. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), published in 2005, identified the five main threats to biodiversity. The five main sources of threats mentioned in this publication are: habitat change, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation and pollution (Ed. Debra Rowe, 2014). Each of these five threats is directly caused by human actions. For example, habitat change that threatens biodiversity is the result of human action of deforestation. This can often result in a chain reaction effect. Deforestation causes organisms to lose their homes and also causes more carbon to be emitted into the atmosphere. This leads directly to another threat, climate change. Climate change depletes biodiversity in numerous ways. When the temperature begins to increase, the different ecosystems are unable to withstand the effects and become extinct. Over the last 100 years, the Earth's climate has become warmer and precipitation regimes have changed (Araujo and Rahbek, 2006). Climate change is expected to affect the species composition of many ecosystems, compromising the continuity of ecosystem functioning due to declines in species abundance. The predicted invasion of non-native species into numerous ecosystems has also been cited as a major problem driving ecosystem change as a result of climate change (Hellmann et al., 2008). These adjustments will ultimately lead to changes in the functioning of ecosystems around the world. The impacts mentioned above will undoubtedly influence the accuracy of ecosystem services to local communities and society at large. Studies conducted in different areas of the world have already shown that the impacts of climate change influence fisheries, water flow regimes and carbon sequestration processes. (McCarty, 2001). The remaining three threats accentuated by MA are quite self-explanatory and humanity's responsibilities for these outcomes are equally obvious. Invasive species occur when humans move into a new area, forcing the species that were there to leave and invade a new environment. Additionally, humans overexploit animals faster than they can reproduce, endangering or driving them extinct. And, of course, humans pollute the earth to the point that life becomes almost unbearable for animals. To be sure, if humans stop and realize the results of their actions, biodiversity will continue to decline and will eventually reach a point of no return. Another effect on biodiversity is globalization. Globalization is the process by which people, ideas and goods spread around the world, stimulating greater interaction and integration between the world's cultures, governments and economies. (Darity, 2008). Globalization advances society by lowering consumer prices, breaking down divisions, and improving overall living standards (Takacs, 1996). However, nothing can come without aprice. Unfortunately, the price of the exponential growth of consumerism is that ecosystems have not been given adequate time to adapt to such rapid resource depletion. Some of these misuses of natural resources include deforestation, oil fracking, commercial agriculture, over-extraction, etc. On a small scale, these were all beneficial at one time, however, due to globalization, these actions are overexploiting the resources that many species revolve around for survival. Globalization has had a huge impact on biodiversity, and because of this, we are losing more species today than ever before (Ehrenfeld 2003). Over time, we have depleted our natural resources and other living species on Earth cannot evolve fast enough to compensate for these severe changes. Current research states that 20% of Earth's species could disappear within a few decades (Post 2004). If humanity wishes to preserve remaining resources and decrease the current rate of extinction, drastic changes are needed. This concern is nothing new. Over twenty years ago there was growing concern about this issue and now, as the situation continues to worsen, serious action is needed. Over the course of Earth's history we have lost 99% of the species that once inhabited Earth. But our current rate of extinction is occurring much faster, about 1,000 times faster (Tobin 2010). Even though we are constantly discovering new species, this does not compensate for our rate of depletion of other species. While there is no way humanity can reverse all of the impacts made on Earth, there is still hope to make progress to save what remains. Global society has become more focused on economic benefits, and the state of the environment has been significantly compromised. Simply put, if the environment is to be positively affected, the situation must change. Another problem that contributes to the reduction of biodiversity is the improper use of resources (Food Security, 2011). Humans use nature for food, water, clothing, and shelter. We build our lives around nature and have abused it so much to the point where we don't have much left. When we abuse nature, it leads to pollution, erosion and extinction. Consumerism plays a big role in how we have started to abuse our resources. We use resources unnecessarily for all the extra products we think we need. It is difficult for most people to determine what they need and what they don't need, and this is where resource misuse occurs. Instead of valuing economics as supreme, it is important to consider why biodiversity matters and why it matters to the environment. Having a large amount of biodiversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms, healthy ecosystems, and creates stronger foundations for a variety of disasters (McCarty, 2008). Biodiversity also provides a myriad of natural services such as ecosystem/biological resources and social benefits. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has emerged as a central question in ecological and environmental sciences during the last decade (Loreau, et al., 2001). Furthermore, adequate biodiversity provides a surplus of natural services for all, including the protection of water resources. , storage and recycling of nutrients. Biological resources include food, medicinal resources, timber products, plants, future resources and diversity of genes, species and ecosystems. Social benefits include research, education, recreation and tourism. In our opinion, there are many services that we getfree! The cost to replace them would be extremely expensive. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the monetary value of the goods and services provided by ecosystems is estimated at $33 trillion per year. It is therefore logical, from an economic and development point of view, to proceed towards sustainability and preserve biodiversity as much as possible. Reduced biodiversity means that millions of people face a future in which food supplies are more vulnerable to pests and diseases, and in which fresh water is scarce or scarce. Biodiversity should also be valued more prominently because it is a primary factor that helps numerous ecosystems. These ecosystems provide humans with natural resources and create balance between nature and human well-being. Responsibility for biodiversity ensures many factors that connect ecosystems with humans, including: food security, health, freedom of choice and, in general, basic material conditions for sustainable living (MA, 2005). While it is obvious that human societies have benefited from these factors over the past century, the loss of biodiversity has also caused human societies to suffer. Biodiversity losses and changes related to ecosystem services have caused a decline in human well-being. Biodiversity loss is a major concern when it comes to human well-being. Without the balance between ecosystems, ecosystem services and human societies, the balance cannot be maintained and the decline of ecosystem life and human life is at stake. The issue of biodiversity loss and biodiversity conservation must be conveyed to all human societies, so that humans can begin to make a difference and restore biodiversity because it is so important for our survival. Biodiversity provides a myriad of natural services, such as: ecosystem services, biological resources and social benefits. Food and security are one of the few factors that make the relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being important for biodiversity. Thousands of dependent species take part in a vital network of biodiversity within the ecosystems on which food production depends. With the continued loss of biodiversity, humans lose the potential to adapt ecosystems to new challenges such as population growth and climate change. Being able to achieve food security for human societies is directly linked to maintaining biodiversity. To ensure food security for an ever-increasing population, it is necessary to create a system that integrates biodiversity conservation and food production (Sunderland, TCH, 2011). Nutritional and livelihood benefits from expanded production systems are one of many possible ways to address food security. Achieving food security will provide agricultural and other food resources for human societies. On average, there are approximately seven thousand plant species and a few hundred animal species that human societies have used for human consumption (MA 2005). Overexploitation of these resources and other resources such as fisheries is a key issue in the loss of diversity. Overexploitation has led to the reduction of accessibility of wild-caught animal proteins, with various consequences on human well-being and health. The uncertainty of exposure to various infectious diseases depends on the biodiversity in ecosystems (MA 2005). Previous studies and observations have contemplated that an increase in wildlife diversity may result in a decrease in the spread of many wildlife pathogens to humans (MA 2005). For example,:.