BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY

Mass Extinction – is described as the disappearance of species at a rate of 1,000 times faster than usual. The
disappearance of species in a certain environment causes an imbalance in the ecosystem, producing more chaotic
changes that harm the entire ecosystem

Biodiversity – defined as the vast variety of life forms in the entire Earth. It encompasses all kinds of life forms, from the
single-celled organisms to the largest multi-celled organisms.

- The variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes of which they are part
- Is the source of the essential goods and ecological services that constitute the source of life for all and it has direct
consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, and in industry

Genetic Diversity – the variation in the amount of genetic information within and among individuals of a population, a
species, an assemblage, or a community.

Species Diversity – is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species that live in a particular location

Ecosystem Diversity – deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location and its overall impact on
human existence and the environment.

Ecosystem – the complex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all their interrelationships in a particular
unit of space. It is where living and non-living things interaction with each other.

Biotic Factors – the living things

Abiotic Factors – the non-living things

Flora - the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Fauna - the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play.

For example,

 A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops

 Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms

 Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters

A healthy biodiversity offers many natural services

A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone:

 Ecosystem services, such as

- Protection of water resources
- Soils formation and protection
- Nutrient storage and recycling
- Pollution breakdown and absorption
- Contribution to climate stability
- Maintenance of ecosystems
- Recovery from unpredictable events

 Biological resources, such as

- Food
- Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
- Wood products
- Ornamental plants
- Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
- Future resources
- Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems

 Social benefits, such as

- Research, education and monitoring
- Recreation and tourism
- Cultural values

Species depend on each other

While there might be survival of the fittest within a given species, each species depends on the services provided by
other species to ensure survival. It is a type of cooperation based on mutual survival and is often what a balanced
ecosystem refers to.

Changes in Biodiversity

Alteration in any system could bring varied effects. A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not only in wildlife
or marine life but also in human beings. For example, humans inhabiting the forest would disturb the natural order of
life. Trees and plants would be affected in the land-clearing operations where the houses would be built. The animals,
insects, and all types of life forms in the cleared area would either be displaced or most likely be killed. The loss of these
life forms could affect the entire ecosystem governing that environment. The food chain might de damaged. From this,
we can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not well taken care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact
human health on such different levels.

Threats to Biodiversity

1. Habitat loss and destruction. Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings and the use of land
for economic gains.
2. Alteration in ecosystem composition. Alterations and sudden changes, either within species groups or within the
environment, could begin to change entire ecosystems.
3. Over-exploitation. Over-hunting, overfishing, or over-collecting of species can quickly lead to its decline.
Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable exploitation of
natural resources.
4. Pollution and contamination. Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding environment.
Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species and varieties.
 5. Global climate change. Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species and
populations may lost permanently if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to changing climatic
conditions.

Effects of Biodiversity Loss

Ecological effects

The loss of biodiversity has severe ecological effects. Since our planet has a natural system and species depend on each
other, losing a small number of species can lead to big effects. Predator species which lose their prey will also be in
danger of extinction now if they are not able to substitute their prey species through another one.

Moreover, the extinct prey which may have consumed plants is now no longer be able to do so. Thus, these plants will
grow excessively and may dominate other plants and eventually displace them.

Spread of diseases

Due to a loss in biodiversity, diseases are likely to occur more frequently. Since our environmental system is quite
sensible and structured, removing species from the food chain can create serious trouble. For example, if a lion kills an
antelope, he will eat part of it. The remaining part will be eaten by other animals.

However, if these other animals go extinct and are no longer able to consume the rest of the antelope, it may waste and
in this wasting process, several kinds of diseases can be developed. If other animals are contaminated with these
diseases, it can also spill over to humans due to our consumption of meat.

Loss of livelihood for locals

The loss of biodiversity also causes a decline in the livelihood of many locals. This can be due to reduced crop yields or
other effects. Locals may also raise cattle in order to survive. However, if a loss in biodiversity leads to decrease in
biomass of feed, farmers will no longer be able to raise enough cattle due to the feed shortage.

Loss of our recreational space

We can also lose our recreational space as an effect of the loss of biodiversity. Many people are stressed from their work
and sometimes need a space to relax. A forest or a lake surrounded by plants may be an optimal area for this. However,
if we further destroy our forests in order to get more settlement space, we will lose many of these recreational
environments.

Society effects

There are also adverse effects on our society from a loss in biodiversity. In nowadays society, we are just so focused on
computers, smartphones and other electronic stuff and lose the connection to nature which our ancestors have built in
a natural way.

This loss of connection to nature may lead people to feel something is missing but they do not exactly know why since
they have never been in touch with nature yet. Moreover, nature provides a relaxing environment which if lost can lead
people to become too stressed and mentally ill.

Effect on food production

A loss in biodiversity can have vast adverse effects on our food production. Since we nowadays exploit many natural
living spaces to an unhealthy degree, chances are that we lose many food sources which we could otherwise use in the
future.

For example, there may be sources of food in the Amazonian rainforests which we have not even explored yet.
However, through the deforestation process, these species are likely to be lost even before we can discover them. Thus,
we rob ourselves since we will not be able to use this species in the future.

Economic effects

Apart from the environmental effects which are bad enough, a loss in biodiversity also causes adverse economic effects.
For example, if we lost bees, we would suffer from a serious decline in crop yields which would lead the GDP to collapse
and would also lead to an increase in famine.

Health, Biology, and Biodiversity

Health is often considered as a basic human right, and is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as not simply
being free from illness, but in a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Biodiversity can be considered
as the foundation for human health as it underpins the functioning of the ecosystems on which we depend for our food
and fresh water; aids in regulating climate, floods and disease; provides recreational benefits and offers aesthetic and
spiritual enrichment. Biodiversity also contributes to local livelihoods, to both traditional and modern medicines and to
economic development.

All human health ultimately depends on ecosystem services that are made possible by biodiversity and the products
derived from them. While the inter-linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem services and human health are inherently
complex, inter-disciplinary research is aiming to develop a more thorough understanding of these essential
relationships.