Biodiversity 101

What is Biodiversity?

• Biodiversity refers to the diversity of plants, animals, and their environments, including genetic variations and natural habitats.
• It encompasses the variety of languages, body types, and living environments among humans as well.

Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat Destruction

• Deforestation: the destruction of large sections of forests, resulting in the loss of animal habitats.
• 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been cut down in the last 40 years.
• Deforestation has occurred globally, with some regions more affected than others.

Habitat Destruction (continued)

• Drainage of wetlands, mangroves, and estuaries for real estate development.
• The US has lost millions of acres of wetlands, with some states losing over 85% of their wetlands.

Habitat Destruction (continued)

• Construction of dams on rivers, flooding habitats and blocking natural fish routes, leading to fish stock declines.

Poaching & Invasive Species

• Unregulated and excessive industrial, agricultural, and sewage run-off, and air pollution, killing plants, animals, and ecosystems.
• Poaching of wild animals, such as elephants, for trade in Chinese medicine (100,000 elephants poached in Africa over a three-year period).
• Invasive species, like the cane toad, introduced to Australia, wreaking havoc on local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Climate Change

• Melting icecaps threatening polar bears, penguins, and whales.
• Rising ocean levels flooding coastal areas and destroying habitats.
• Global warming contributing to coral reef destruction and ecosystem loss.

Other Threats to Biodiversity

• Introduction of pharmaceuticals into the environment through flushing them down the toilet.
• Acid rain, herbicides, and pesticides harming habitats and biodiversity.
• Depletion of the ozone layer, causing DNA damage to plants and animals.
• War, leading to habitat destruction and disregard for biodiversity.