LOSS OF

BIODIVERSITY
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

• Biodiversity is the biological variety and variability of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a measure
of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level. Terrestrial biodiversity is usually
greater near the equator, which is the result of the warm climate and high primary productivity.
CAUSES

• Climate change impacts biodiversity at various levels: species distribution, population dynamics, community structure and the functioning of the
ecosystem

• When we talk about pollution, we may think of car exhaust fumes billowing into the atmosphere, but biodiversity is not only affected by this type, it
is also affected by noise pollution and light pollution.

• Soil pollution and changes in its uses due to activities such as deforestation have a negative impact on ecosystems and the species that make them up.

• Invasive alien species are the second biggest cause of loss of biodiversity in the world, according to the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP). They act as predators, compete for food, hybridise with native species, introduce parasites and diseases, etc.

• The overexploitation of natural resources, that is, their consumption at a speed greater than that of their natural regeneration, has an obvious impact
on the planet's flora and fauna.
 
EFFECTS

• Extinction of species: The alteration and destruction of habitats puts thousands of species in danger of extinction.

• Threat to human beings: biodiversity loss endangers human well-being by affecting soil and water, which are
fundamental to food production.

• Proliferation of pests: For example, imbalances in ecosystems can lead to the emergence of pests that
damage crops.

• Increase in CO2 emissions: The capacity of forests and oceans to absorb CO2 decreases if their ecosystems are
adversely affected.
SOLUTIONS

• SDG 14. Life Below Water

• SDG 14 aims to sustainably manage and protect marine, coastal, terrestrial and inland freshwater
ecosystems, address the effects of ocean acidification and regulate fishing while promoting sustainable fisheries.

• SDG 15. Life on Land

• SDG 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, halt and reverse land degradation, combat desertification and stop biodiversity loss.
• Beyond UN commitments, we can all do our part to fight biodiversity loss on a personal level. How? By
prioritising sustainable mobility and sustainable food, responsible consumption and recycling practices, reducing
the small actions that pollute, helping to raise awareness of the smallest actions through environmental education,
and ultimately supporting any action aimed at protecting biodiversity.
HOW MUCH BIODIVERSITY HAS THE
WORLD LOST?
• WWF Living Planet Report 2020 reveals 68% drop in wildlife populations. The World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report 2020, published today, sounds the alarm for global
biodiversity, showing an average 68% decline in animal population sizes tracked over 46 years
(1970-2016)
WHAT PLACE HAS THE GREATEST
BIODIVERSITY?
• The area on Earth considered to have the greatest biodiversity is the Tropical Andes
region covering 1,258,000 km² (485,716 miles²) and running through Venezuela, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and a small area of northern Argentina.
WHAT PLACE HAS THE LEAST
BIODIVERSITY?
• The arctic regions of the world have the least biodiversity because plants don’t survive in the
extreme cold and ice that cover these regions year-round. However, life does exist in the arctic
regions, mostly affiliated with the seas that surround them.
 HOW IS BIODIVERSITY MEASURED?
Species Evenness:

• Biodiversity can be measured in relation to species richness,

or the number of species in a given area.
• Species diversity, also called alpha diversity, is a combination
of species richness and also evenness. For example, if two
communities had the same number of species for a given area,
but one community had a more equal distribution, that
community would have a greater species diversity.
IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?

• Biodiversity is important to humans for many reasons. Biodiversity is also considered by many to have intrinsic value—
that is, each species has a value and a right to exist, whether or not it is known to have value to humans. The biodiversity
book by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation describes 5 core (and interacting) values that
humans place on biodiversity:
 Economic—biodiversity provides humans with raw materials for consumption and production. Many livelihoods, such as those of farmers, fishers
and timber workers, are dependent on biodiversity.
 Ecological life support—biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control,
wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services.
 Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity, such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing. Our tourism industry
also depends on biodiversity.
 Cultural—the Australian culture is closely connected to biodiversity through the expression of identity, through spirituality and through aesthetic
appreciation. Indigenous Australians have strong connections and obligations to biodiversity arising from spiritual beliefs about animals and plants.
 Scientific—biodiversity represents a wealth of systematic ecological data that help us understand the natural world and its origins.
VIDEO OF THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

• https://youtu.be/Ys_ORCAMArc
•END