Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is the result of millions of years of evolution and incorporates all organisms that make up life on earth, from micro-organisms to plants and animals, in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Biodiversity embraces three main levels; genetic diversity – all the genetic diversity of individuals; species diversity – the estimated 30 – 50 million individual species on earth; and ecosystem diversity – the different communities and habitats and the ecological and biological processes that support them ⁽¹⁾.

Image Explanation: Biodiversity provides the mechanism that enables ecosystem services required for pollination.

Biodiversity provides us with the natural resources that we rely on for day to day life, such as, wood, food, medicine, energy, raw fibres and industrial chemicals. It contributes to the functioning of natural services and processes, such as, biogeochemical cycles, including, the carbon, oxygen and hydrological cycles, soil fertility, waste disposal and pest control ⁽²⁾. These resources and processes that we rely on for day to day life are easily impacted by changes in the environment both natural and human induced.

The loss of biodiversity is occurring at an alarming rate with species disappearing at 50 – 100 times the natural rate. It has been estimated, based on current trends there is the risk that 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species face extinction ⁽³⁾. The loss of individual species within an ecosystem can have a detrimental effect on the efficiency, productivity and survival of a particular ecosystem. For example, the loss of mangroves can have impacts on certain aquatic species that use these areas as breeding grounds.

It is widely recognised that the impact from human activity is playing a major part in the loss of the world’s biodiversity. The acronym HIPPO is commonly used by scientists and can help us to remember the 5 major causes of the decline of certain species and premature extinction ⁽⁴⁾.

H – habitat destruction and degradation – one of the major causes of biodiversity loss.

I – invasive species that are either deliberately or accidentally introduced into ecosystems

P – pollution this includes human induced changes in global and regional climates

P – human population growth and the accompanying resource consumption that are crowding out wild species and degrading the places where they live.

O – overexploitation, this includes the over hunting of species that have valuable body parts, for example, ivory from elephant tusks and overconsumption of resources that wild species are reliant on for their own survival.

The importance of the earth’s biological processes, resources and diversity to human existence and the rate at which species extinction has been occurring due to human impact highlight the need to implement strategies to ensure the future biodiversity and sustainability of the planet and its resources. As a result in November 1988, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) set up an Ad Hoc Working Group of experts in biological diversity to explore the benefit of an international convention on biological diversity ⁽⁵⁾. Not long after, in May 1989 an Ad Hoc Working Group consisting of technical and legal experts prepared an international legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. These experts needed to take into account the sharing of costs and benefits between developed and developing countries as well as provide ways and means of supporting innovation by local people ⁽⁶⁾. For more information on the process and outcomes of the UNEP working groups, see appendix 1.

With 2010 being the International Year of Biodiversity there is no better time to look at the impacts that we as humans are having on the biodiversity of the planet. With every facet of our lives having a potential impact on biodiversity – sometimes without us even knowing it, a need for national and global awareness is of increasing importance to ensure the impacts are continuously minimised. The value placed on the natural environment and its biodiversity is priceless and without it, as humans, there will be increasing pressures, stresses and costs associated with our day to day life.

Appendix 1

By February 1991 the group became known as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and on 22 May 1992 its work culminated with the Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development also known as the Rio de Janeiro “Earth Summit” and came into force on 29 December 1993. The Convention on Biological Diversity shows a commitment to sustainable development and the “conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources” ⁽⁷⁾.

In April 2002, the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity committed themselves to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss on a global, regional and national level while contributing to alleviating poverty and with the view to benefit all life on earth ⁽⁸⁾. While the convention intended to reduce the impact of biodiversity loss, it has been stated by Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity that there has been a failure to achieve a reduction in the rate of loss that was initially expected from the initial proposed plan ⁽⁹⁾. A new strategic plan has been proposed for the period 2011 -2020, which includes a biodiversity vision for 2050. The new strategic plan seeks to incorporate achievable targets, which are measureable, based on scientific literature, have appropriate support mechanisms and a vigorous level of monitoring and review at a global and national level ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Djoghlaf stresses the importance of future action being conducted with not only a global perspective but highlights the significance of public awareness and action to ensure that the rate of biodiversity loss is reduced and monitored by all sectors within government and society. There is a strong need for the 2011 -2020 strategic plan to be constantly reviewed and monitored to ensure that it is succeeding in reducing the loss of biodiversity by maintaining and rehabilitating natural environments.

References:

1- Wilson, B (2006) Ecology: An Australian Perspective, 2nd Edition. (Eds. Attiwill and Wilson), Oxford University Press

2- Miller, G.T (2007) Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, 15th Edition. Thomson Learning, Inc

3- Convention on Biological Diversity (2009) http://www.cbd.int/convention/guide/

4- Miller, G.T (2007) Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, 15th Edition. Thomson Learning, Inc

5- History of the Convention (2009) http://www.cbd.int/history/

6- History of the Convention (2009) http://www.cbd.int/history/

7- History of the Convention (2009) http://www.cbd.int/history/

8- 2010 Biodiversity Target (2010) http://www.cbd.int/2010-target/

9- Statement 2010 http://www.cbd.int/doc/speech/2010/sp-2010-01-18-london-en.pdf

10- Statement 2010 http://www.cbd.int/doc/speech/2010/sp-2010-01-18-london-en.pdf