BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discuss biodiversity and the other factors related to this environmental issue. Biodiversity is affecting the planet on a great scale and its effects are being seen in all areas, especially those that are rich in biodiversity. The importance of biodiversity is being ignored by people all over the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Background1

Factors Affecting Biodiversity2

Deforestation2

Climate Change3

Species Diversity4

Conclusion5

References6

Biodiversity

Introduction

Biodiversity is a vast topic under environmental studies, and has always had a great significance. The Earth's biodiversity is constantly threatened by the activities that humans engage in on a daily basis. Issues like deforestation and pollution are destroying the biodiversity of the planet. The issue of this threat has been raised on international platforms and has been addressed with various agreements. However, that has not been enough to counter the negative effects of the destruction being caused. There has been a mass destruction of different species of plants, animals and organisms. People all over the world are ignoring the importance of biodiversity.

Discussion

Background

Biodiversity is the phenomenon that includes a variety of biological organisms in a given habitat, area, or ecosystem. There are many aspects or components of biodiversity, which include genetics, ecosystems, and species. The majority of the people who hear or think about biodiversity, only link it to the diversity of species. This addresses the number of various species of animals, plants, fungi, bacteria or protists within a separate area of interest. So far, environmentalists, scientists, researchers have been able to name around 1.5 million species in the world. However, they say that there could be a likely amount of 10 million species living on Earth.

Furthermore, there is diversity in ecosystems, which describes the different types of habitats found in a specific area or region. In the United States, there are various types of land- based (terrestrial) ecosystems. These land- based ecosystems include forests, deserts, wetlands and grasslands. The other type of ecosystems are the water- based (aquatic) ecosystems, which comprise of rivers, lakes, coral reefs, estuaries and intertidal habitats (Yeh, 2003).

The number of species becoming or that have become extinct is large in number. No one can quantify the exact number of extinct species, but it should be noted that 25% to 30% of all the mammals on Earth are currently endangered (Dirzo and Loreau, 2005). There are concerns that relate of the conversation in order to save the diversity of plants, animals and other organisms. This concern is increasing due to the social and economic growth being seen in industrialized and developing countries.

Factors Affecting Biodiversity

Deforestation

Deforestation is the process of chopping down trees in a forest. There are a lot of reasons why money should be used to protect forests. Deforestation is done by people in order to make space for human activities like agriculture or constructing buildings, resorts and much more. Deforestation has been occurring since thousands of years and is caused by numerous reasons. Normally, it is done due to an increase in the population or for the purpose of obtaining food and ...