What is biodiversity?

What is biodiversity?

If we want to understand biodiversity, we must know that anecosystemis a geographic area in which a diverse group of plants, animals, and other organisms coexist. This ecosystem may be in a large area, such as a desert, or small, such as a pool of water generated by the tidal movement of the sea.

Every part of the ecosystem is interdependent on the other parts. A change in the temperature of an ecosystem, for example, will greatly affect other organisms that live in this system. Thus, the ecosystem leaves us with something essential for the continuation of life on Earth, which is “biodiversity.” Therefore, it was necessary for the Earth Guards to explain its meaning and answer the question: Why is this biological diversity important to our lives?

Definition of biodiversity

Biodiversity is one of the most important elements that affects our lives and the entire planet. It refers to the diversity of plant and animal life between different natural areas, and is considered the basis for the sustainability of ecosystems. It is also beneficial from both economic and social aspects. Because it promotesecotourism, and provides job opportunities for members of local communities.

Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the collection of life forms that have existed on Earth for millions of years, and these forms include genes, bacteria, and ecosystems such as forests and coral reefs.

Based on this, we realize that biodiversitya vital networkthat we depend on in many aspects of our lives, such as: food, water, health care, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. Therefore, more than half of the global gross domestic product depends on nature, and more than a billion people depend on forests to secure their livelihoods.

What is the importance of biodiversity?

Biodiversity represents a supporting foundation for all forms of life above the surface of the Earth – and underwater as well – as it affects every aspect of human health. It provides clean air and drinkable water, guarantees us foods of healthy value, supports our scientific understanding of the environment and its resources, and mitigates the effects ofclimate change. If the elements of this network are changed or removed, the entire system of life will be negatively affected. Without this biological diversity, life on Earth would not be possible! The question now is: What effect do climate and biodiversity have on each other?

Interaction between biodiversity and climate

The main driver of biodiversity loss is human exploitation of land primarily for agriculture and food production, ashuman activitieshave already encroached on more than 70% of the ice-free land area; When land is converted to agriculture, animal and plant species can lose their habitats and face severe extinction.

Hence, climate change causes the deterioration of biodiversity, as it has changed ecosystems – marine and terrestrial – around the world, resulting in the loss of local species and an increase in diseases and mass death of plants and animals, and this is the first extinction linked to climate change.

As for the effect on land, we will find that animals and plants have been forced to migrate – due to increasing temperatures – to areas with higher altitudes, specifically towardsthe South and North Poles. This has a far-reaching impact on ecosystems; Because every rise in temperature is accompanied by the extinction of a type of living organism, we must think about preserving biological diversity, and this is by eliminating the causes that lead to its threat. The following are the most important ways to preserve it:

• Use of renewable energy and environmentally friendly products.
• Reducing overfishing, a concept we will talk about in a later article.
• Preserving biodiversity, by avoiding urban expansion in plant and animal areas, and moving towards expansion in unexploited and desert areas.
• Avoid the use of chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, and focus on organic and natural foods.
• Reducing pollution in all its forms, whether by recycling waste and using it again, or by reducing the use of chemicals harmful to the environment, and then moving to a green economy in energy consumption.

Bottom line, conserving biodiversity is everyone’s responsibility; That is whyEarth Guards Magazine sought in this article to define the term “biodiversity” in an easy way. This article is part of the series(What…?), launched by the Earth Guards. In order to explain environmental and development terminology in a simple and easy-to-read manner; In order to preserve the environment and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).