Biodiversity is the wide variety of life on Earth, ranging from microscopic organisms to entire ecosystems. It is the foundation for all life and supports vital ecosystem services that we depend on for our survival, such as clean water, air and food security.
Biological diversity is the source of new medicines and crops, materials for construction and manufacturing, and natural resources like wood, resins, and oils. It also provides a wealth of recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits. Biodiversity is the key to our ability to cope with changing environmental conditions and unforeseen events. Without biodiversity, species become extinct more quickly and ecosystems collapse. With it, species and ecosystems remain stable and resilient.
There is a direct relationship between biodiversity and the ability of an ecosystem to provide valuable services, such as the water we drink. Moreover, human activities affect biodiversity at an alarming rate, and they contribute to the current extinction crisis. The vast majority of extinctions are caused by humans.
Extinction rates have always ebbed and flowed throughout the history of the planet. However, scientists agree that we are currently experiencing a massively accelerated extinction rate due to non-natural human activities.
Invasive species, habitat degradation, overfishing, climate change, pollution, and land-use changes are among the main causes of the deterioration of biodiversity. The good news is that biodiversity can be restored if we put nature at the forefront of our conservation efforts.
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