And the threats to global biodiversity are increasing. Without such action, there will be a further acceleration in the global rate of species extinction, which is already at least tens of hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years. Coral reefs , for example, are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
However, coral reefs are severely threatened by pollution, coastal development, unsustainable fishing practices and climate change which is raising ocean temperatures and causing ocean acidification. Human activity has significantly changed three quarters of land surface and two thirds of ocean area. Roughly speaking, there are five direct drivers of global environmental change:.
The most important causes underlying these drivers of biodiversity loss are human population and consumption. First, human population has grown from 1 billion in , to 7. Second, although there are large variations in consumption patterns across regions, consumption has exploded over the last century, especially in the developed world. This results in the increased land use, pollution, and climate change mentioned above, resulting in a global degradation of the quality of the natural environment in which we live.
Why is biodiversity loss so problematic? Why should we care so much about protecting biodiversity? There are two main reasons. Select basic ads.
Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By David DeFranza. Fact checked by Betsy Petrick. Betsy Petrick is an experienced researcher, writer, and producer.
Learn about our fact checking process. Share Twitter Pinterest Email. View Article Sources. Soil Conservation: Methods and Benefits. Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and Destruction. What Is an Indicator Species? Destruction of habitats 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 Invasive alien species are the second biggest cause of loss of biodiversity in the world, according to the United Nations Development Programme UNDP.
Overexploitation of the natural environment 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.
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 CO 2 emissions The capacity of forests and oceans to absorb CO 2 decreases if their ecosystems are adversely affected. 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 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.
Did you find it interesting? Subscribe to our Newsletter! I have read and accept the Newsletter's privacy policy. Biological diversity , or biodiversity , is the term given to describe the variety of life on Earth. It reflects the number, variety and variability of living organisms and how these change from one location to another and over time.
Biodiversity includes diversity within species genetic diversity , between species species diversity , and between ecosystems ecosystem diversity. Ecosystems , whose functioning depends on biodiversity , provide the basic necessities of life e.
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