Biodiversity is a term that has many different meanings to many different people, but the brass tax is "biodiversity is the sum of organisms that include plants, animals, microorganisms and the ecosystems" (Krishnan, 2008, p. v). Biodiversity within a given ecosystem increases output because each species, regardless of size, plays an important role within that ecosystem (Shah, 2011). If any one of those species were to become extinct, the whole ecosystem would suffer. Based on this alone it should hold that people would place a high priority on the protection of biodiversity, but because the effects of losing biodiversity are less immediately apparent in their effect on humans, policymakers have essentially placed biodiversity on the back burner (Dale, 2011). It is imperative that a higher importance be placed on biodiversity so as not to cause additional irreparable harm to this wonderful place we call home.
Importance of Biodiversity.
According to Rahul Srivastava (2006), biodiversity plays an important role in the functionality of ecosystems. It is believed that all species contribute in some way to an ecosystem, whether it be related to the capture and storage of energy, production or decomposition of organic matter, the cycling of water and nutrients, controlling insect populations, battling erosion, or regulating the climate, no job is too small. Not only are these all functions needed for the ecosystem to survive, research also suggests that greater diversity within an ecosystem will permit it to better deal with stresses, allowing it to thrive. This all lends itself to human survival. The human species depends on our natural environment for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, our survivability is contingent on our continued use of the land for food, agriculture, and medicine. According to M. P. Dahiya (2006), out of the 25 top selling drugs of 1997, 10 of those were naturally based; and approximately three quarters of the worldwide populous relies on traditional medicine for their health care.
What is Biodiversity? ... Biologists because of the huge increase in biodiversity confirmed the year 2010 as the year of international biodiversity. ... The following are different types of biodiversity: 1. ... Threats to Biodiversity Our biodiversity is under threat, as in the last few years a large number of species have become extinct. ... It is specifically known as agricultural biodiversity. ...
It is the process of which the environment is compromised in ways affecting its biodiversity. ... Deforestation Overview Forests cover approximately 31% of the Earth's surface and produce vital oxygen and provide shelter for animals. ... Deforestation is a particular concern in areas such as tropical rainforest due to the fact that they are home to much of the world's biodiversity. ... Pollution Overview In whatever form pollution is in, it is harmful to the environment. ... Overpopulation Overview As the human population rapidly increases, it is evident that resources are needed....
Give an overview of the issue as to be investigated by you. ... Barrow Island has internationally significant biodiversity values, with an exceptional range of flora and fauna, marine ecosystems and karst systems; it is one of the largest land masses in the world that has no introduced animals. ... Such actions would jeopardise the islands biodiversity values if not lose them forever. ...
A Comparison of Australia and New Zealand This report will include: Background information on both countries. Australia and New Zealand's links/comparisons in the following areas: # 1: Tourism # 2: Political Relations # 3: Defence # 4: Sport Information on both countries: Area Population Gross Domestic Porduct GDP GDP per capita And Other Misc. Information Background information on both countries: Australia's Background: Australia became a commonwealth of the British Empire in 1901. It was able to take advantage of its nat...
The study of viruses contains many intensively difficult concepts, but we will just have an overview of these contents. ... Similarly to the survival selection in larger organisms, however it takes much more shorter time for viruses' mutating acceleration to provide a vast results of biodiversity. ...
Water is a unique substance, because it can naturally renew and cleanse itself, by allowing pollutants to settle out (through the process of sedimentation) or break down, or by diluting the pollutants to a point where they are not in harmful concentrations. However, this natural process takes time, ...
The Ta Sang Dam: Dammed If You Do, Dammed If You Don't? Ta Sang: An Overview The proposed Ta Sang Dam will be located in southern Shan State in Burma. If completed, it will be the tallest dam in Southeast Asia at 188 meters high, and will store approximately one third of the average annual...
Task 1 Different Types of Organizations and the Purpose 1.1 Purpose of organization Before we learn about the types of organizations, we need to learn the basic purpose of setting organizations. The main purpose of organization is to provide a pathway to their business setup and to set the main o...
