The importance of biodiversity: Understanding its role in building a sustainable future

Biodiversity is a complex life system that supports approximately 8.7 million species on Earth. Every living organism contributes to this system in its unique way to sustain life. It is the primary indicator of our planet's health and contributes to every facet of our society. This includes the food we eat, the water we drink, the medicines we rely on, and so much more.

However, biodiversity is under massive threat today. Plants and animal species are becoming extinct much faster than before. The global wildlife population is decreasing at an alarming rate of 69% since 1970. Unless we make efforts to bring about significant changes, this problem will only accelerate.

In this article, we will learn why biodiversity is important to us and what is causing it to decline. We will also explore various strategies to preserve our biological diversity.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth. It is the variety of life. It is derived from two words -

• 'Biological' - Related to biology and living organisms.
• 'Diversity' - Variety of things.  

Biodiversity includes living things and the ecosystems they form. This includes bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, animals, and humans.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a perfect example of biodiversity. It is home to hundreds of coral species, countless fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals. Here, each species contributes to the overall health of the ecosystem and maintains biodiversity.

Types of biodiversity

There are three main types of biodiversity.

• Genetic diversity - The variety within a certain species. For example, different species of marine life.
• Species diversity - The number of different species living in an area. For example, marine animals in the ocean.
• Ecosystem diversity - The variety of habitats and environments. For example, oceans.

Why is biodiversity important?

Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability. Every species, from the tiniest insects to the largest mammals, plays an important role in holding ecosystems together and maintaining balance. It offers protection against climate change, diseases, and natural disasters.

Besides maintaining balance in nature, biodiversity touches various aspects of our everyday lives.

• Biodiversity supports agriculture by maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting pest control. It also enhances soil fertility which is essential for better farming.
• Many life-saving drugs are found in biodiverse ecosystems. It supports future medical discoveries as scientists can explore various species for potential treatments. Thus, biodiversity directly supports human health.
• Biodiversity supports ecotourism. Unique wildlife and landscapes attract large amounts of tourists and bring income to local economies every year.
• Biodiversity helps in regulating climate. For example, it creates natural carbon sinks like forests to store carbon in soils and protect against floods.

To summarize, biodiversity helps you maintain a prosperous planet. It is important for both nature and humanity.

How are biodiversity and climate change related?

Climate change is impacting ecosystems all around the world. Ecosystems, both on land and in oceans, have been undergoing drastic changes due to greenhouse gas emissions. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and other extreme weather conditions are forcing species to relocate. This causes an imbalance as not all species are able to adapt to their new habitats.

For example, polar bears are not able to survive in their natural habitats as ice caps are melting at an unprecedented scale. This loss of habitats is certainly causing the collapse of ecosystems in these ice-capped mountains. Similarly, ocean acidification is destroying coral reefs, leaving thousands of marine species homeless.

However, the good news is that biodiversity is helping in mitigating this climate change with its diverse ecosystems. For example, forests, wetlands, and oceans are natural carbon sinks that absorb and store carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and slows down the pace of climate change.

Biodiversity, with the help of its healthy ecosystems, helps stabilize and balance the global climate system.

Common threats to biodiversity

Biodiversity is constantly under threat from a range of human activities. Their impacts are felt across the globe. Some of the common threats to biodiversity include:

Climate change

Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and melting polar ice caps are destroying ecosystems. Animals are struggling to survive as their natural environments are disappearing or continuously changing so they are forced to migrate to newer habitats. Unfortunately, not all animals are able to keep up with the pace of change causing population decline and extinction. Similarly, ocean acidification is severely impacting marine biodiversity. Did you know coral reefs that are home to over 25% of marine life could vanish entirely by 2050 due to ocean acidification and warming?

Pollution and toxic chemicals

Microplastics in ocean plastic waste are poisonous to sea animals. Similarly, marine life also suffers from oil spills as they lose their waterproofing and insulating abilities and ultimately drown.Toxic pesticides and industrial discharge that are let into the seas pollute the soil and water. Similarly, airborne pollutants can cause acid rains that destroy our forests and the entire ecosystem.

Habitat destruction

According to the United Nations, our world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation. Urban expansion, agriculture, and cattle grazing have led to the destruction of countless habitats. This leaves countless species without homes or food sources. Without these habitats, these species struggle to survive and reproduce, leading to population declines.

Overconsumption

Did you know that over 33% of the world's fish stocks are overexploited and 52% of agricultural land is degraded due to unsustainable practices like overharvesting of trees? Humans are consuming natural resources at alarming rates. For example, deforestation for timber, overfishing, land conversion for farming, and so on. These activities are pushing ecosystems past their breaking points, reducing their ability to support diverse life.

Invasive species

When non-native species enter into new ecosystems, it has negative impacts on the existing ecosystems. They compete with the local species in that specific ecosystem for food, water, and other resources to survive. Eventually, this competition often leads to the extinction of the local species as there is an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Animal exploitation

Illegal hunting of animals and exotic animal trade is another major threat to biodiversity. It removes species from their natural habitats, causing ecological imbalance. For example, animals such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers are often hunted for their tusks and skin. Animal exploitation reduces the species diversity in that area. It causes irreversible damage to wildlife populations.

Fossil fuel extraction

Fossil fuel extraction releases harmful pollutants like methane, oil spills, and other toxic chemicals into the environment. Activities like oil drilling, gas extraction, and coal mining can directly harm our water, soil, and air. These activities create barren land that does not support any vegetation. This results in the loss of food and habitat for many animal species living in those regions. Further, transporting these fossil fuels can be more dangerous due to the possibility of pipeline leaks and other damages as a result of accidents.

How to prevent biodiversity loss

There are several practical steps we can take to slow down or even prevent the ongoing degradation of our diverse ecosystems.

Natural parks

The construction of natural parks ensures safe zones for species to survive and flourish away from human influence. These types of parks also enhance biodiversity by shielding various species and their habitats against deforestation and industrialization.

Marine protection

Restrict activities like fishing and oil exploration and form protection areas to enhance marine ecosystems. This can enhance vital ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves and protect marine diversity. This will also support natural carbon sinks and help mitigate climate change.

Control of invasive species

Invasive species can alter the balance and functioning of existing ecosystems as they compete with native plants and animals for resources. Hence, you need to control their spread and preserve local species to maintain the overall ecosystem balance. Implement measures like monitoring, removal programs, and public awareness campaigns to prevent this spread and maintain biodiversity in that area.

Use technology to track emissions.

Tracking carbon emissions can help you focus on high-impact areas and design decarbonization strategies which contribute to slowing down and reducing the effects of climate change. Emissions tracking tools will also help you identify the potential risks and opportunities you can leverage to contribute to biodiversity conservation. Zuno Carbon provides end to end ESG software to help you with ESG tracking and decarbonization analytics for integrating your business activities with sustainability.

Buy products made sustainably

Biodiversity and sustainability go hand in hand. Invest in eco-friendly products for your day-to-day lives. Such products are created from responsibly sourced materials using sustainable processes. This will reduce the need for deforestation and overexploitation of natural resources and improve biodiversity.

Protecting biodiversity one step at a time

Biodiversity loss is not just an environmental issue. It is a threat to our very survival. It is not just about saving plants and animals but securing a future where ecosystems can grow and thrive. It requires us to make mindful choices and take collective actions toward building a sustainable plant.

Embracing sustainable technology solutions like Zuno Carbon is one of the steps you can take to combat the climate crisis and preserve biodiversity. You can track your emissions, identify hotspots, and ensure ESG compliance to implement decarbonization strategies.

Reduce your carbon footprint today and set your ESG goals to take your sustainability efforts to the next level. Sign up for a demo to learn how Zuno Carbon can support you in making a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How are climate change and biodiversity linked?

‍Biodiversity and climate change are interconnected. Environmental changes such as rising temperatures or extreme weather can impact the natural habitats of different species, causing their extinction. Thus, threatening biodiversity. On the other hand, biodiversity helps maintain carbon sinks in forests and oceans that regulate our planet's climate.