What is biodiversity?

The term biodiversity, or biological diversity, means the variances between all living things. The importance of biodiversity conservation is to preserve global species before they become extinct. Conservationists realize that inter-relationships between species can affect other species and if one species becomes extinct, it could lead to the overpopulation or even extinction of another species. There are still a lot of unknown species in the world, and some of these could hold economical or medicinal value. When the balance between all living things is disturbed or interrupted, there can be dire consequences. The diversity can be thought of in terms of genetic differences, population diversity or even the variations between entire communities and ecosystems.

A species is a group of organisms with similar traits that breed among themselves and would naturally be restricted from breeding outside the group. An ecosystem includes the organisms and their habitat. The genetic diversity within plant and animal species provides a significant gene pool of beneficial traits that are passed on to the offspring. When this gene pool is diminished due to a severe reduction in population, or the isolation of the group, then the genetic diversity is restricted and will ultimately lead to extinction. Inbreeding due to this small gene pool causes the species to more easily pass on detrimental genes that become the mode of extinction.

Habitats are becoming destroyed or fragmented due to human activities. The fragmentation reduces a population’s area which restricts the food and water resources, as well as the territorial range. Once the population becomes trapped in the island-like habitat, the resources will not be sufficient to support the organisms. Die-offs can occur and then inbreeding is forced upon the population, eventually leading to the downward spiral of extinction.

Other causes of species loss can be attributed to pollution in the atmosphere and the water, overgrazing of livestock which destroys land and causes erosion, hunting, poaching and the introduction, whether by accident of purposeful, of exotic species. There are some introduced species that can be beneficial, but most are harmful. Some new species can overtake an existing species and force it out of the area, or prey upon the native organisms. Once again, when the balance is upset, the results can be devastating. An example is the zebra mussel which was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes and quickly reproduced in great numbers. The mussel began to clog up intake valves in treatment facilities and became a nuisance to fishermen. It also moved into the natural habitat of existing species, used the resources and eventually created a reduction in the native populations.

By destroying the biological diversity of the earth, humans are jeopardizing the very thing that provides for human existence. Because of a wide variety of species, humans can obtain timber for building, foods, medicines and recreational opportunities. Once a species becomes extinct, it’s too late to apply conservation methods. Conservation must be considered while populations are thriving and if a species is endanger of becoming extinct, then a recovery plan should be developed. All species are linked together in some way and when one species disappears, an imbalance can occur. An example is that when coyotes are excessively hunted, allowing for an overpopulation of deer mice, the coyotes prey. The mice can be carriers of Hanta Virus and when there are not enough coyotes to regulate their population, the overpopulated mice spread into human habitats and also spread disease. Humans need to be aware of the intrinsic importance of all species and need to apply conservation methods before the stability of biological diversity deteriorates.