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Biodiversity matters.
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, with a focus on how it helps human well-being.
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Biodiversity definition
You hear the word biodiversity a lot these days, so what is it? A biodiveristy definition is, simply, "the variety of life on earth." It includes every species of animal, plant, & the micro-organisms, such as bacteria & viruses - and how these change from location to another & over time. The rich tapestry of life - which so often we just can't see but it's there - with all the millions of species contribute in their own way in an ecosystem. (You & I may look at what we would think of as muddy wasteland but in fact it's wetland, already occupied by many species & very much a part of this rich fabric of life.)
Scientists are unsure of how many species there are. They have identified just under 2 million, & estimate there could be as many as 13 million. And of these, human beings form ONE species and we have the power to destroy or protect the biodiveristy which surrounds us and of which we are part. |
More info:
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Why does biodiversity matter?
It is essential for preserving the natural living systems - the ecosystems - which sustain us all, animals & humans. We all benefit from these ecosystems in ways that it's easy to forget when we're all racing from day to day:
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Clouds, rainfall, glaciers, rivers & our huge oceans provide the cycle we need for our water |
The world's oceans & forests provide oxygen for the air we need to breathe |
We eat fish from the world's seas & meat from the animals who graze on its land
Much of our fruit & vegetables are pollinated by bees |
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Nature provides stability - she helps control flooding for instance. |
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Many people on this earth depend on plants for their medicines.
Many of us use seaweed as part of our beauty regime |
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We are protected from noise, the sun & heavy rain & wind by trees, which also take in our carbon emissions |
She gives us spiritual wellbeing, if only we'd take the time to stand & stare, & our natural world gives us opportunity for leisure & play, fun & friendship |
Mother nature has provided inspiration for writers, poets, artists, composers & film makers |
Loss of biodiversity
This rich fabric of life which surrounds us all is under threat or has already been destroyed by:
- habitat destruction - such as the rainforests & woodlands - in which thousands of species (including the orangutan) live
- over-exploitation of natural resrouces such as fish stocks, wetlands
- pollution - we all need oxygen to breathe and the signs are that we aren't breathing very healthy air
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using nature for our own ends e.g. building large/second homes & indoor spaces we don't really need, turning natural habitats into leisure areas
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expanding cities, taking over from the natural world
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too many people on this planet. Every single one of the 6.8 billion people on this planet need to eat, drink, shelter, poo & wee every day. We all throw rubbish away, some less than others. Many of us have our own expectations of a certain lifestyle.
At the moment, nature & biodiversity is paying the price - we shall have to pay back later, if we don't turn the tide. Extinction has always been a fact of life - so why should we care that so many species are becoming extinct at up to 1000 times the usual rate? Scientists estimate that between 150 and 200 species are becoming extinct every day.
Stop the rot & turn back the tide
Biodiversity matters, even if we can't see those who make up the rich fabric of life. It matters in national parks, protected areas, farms, nature reserves, gardens, cities, in our seas, our rivers, ice-caps, ponds & streams. Many much loved & well known animals live in areas such as these. Support the well known, much loved animals in areas such as these - e.g. the orangutan in Borneo, the panda in China, the red kite in England - and you support whole ecosystems as well. The beauty & power of biodiversity is that, in helping one animal - such as the orangutan in Borneo - you are helping millions of other animals & people as well, keeping the diversity of life on earth alive. In one small way, you could say helping that orangutan helps keep the planet earth healthy. |
