Biodiversity in Ecosystems Educational Presentation PDF

AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY BY : AVENGERS determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health; create a diagram that would show the relatedness of species in forming up a diverse and healthy society without compromising one another; and identify everyday tasks and evaluate whe...

AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY BY : AVENGERS determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health; create a diagram that would show the relatedness of species in forming up a diverse and healthy society without compromising one another; and identify everyday tasks and evaluate whether they contribute to the wellness and health of biodiversity and society or not.  Biodiversity, which refers to the range of life forms in an ecosystem, biome, or across the Earth, is essential for preserving the well-being and equilibrium of ecosystems. This encompasses genetic diversity within species, diversity between species, and diversity of ecosystems. What is a Biodiversity? Refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, from single-celled to complex organisms. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. Biodiversity provides essential goods and services for food, medicine, agriculture, and industry. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Interconnection Ecosystems consist of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to study these relationships. Example: A high number of golden snails can reduce rice harvest as they are considered pests. Role of Biodiversity in Sustainability A diverse ecosystem increases resilience against natural disasters. Biodiversity supports human needs such as food, water, fuel, and clean air. Ecosystem services are essential for physical and social well-being. Impact of Declining Biodiversity Loss of biodiversity reduces the ecosystem’s ability to meet human needs. It affects livelihoods, income, and can even cause social or political conflicts. Conservation is crucial to avoid endangering human health and survival.  Biodiverse ecosystems demonstrate greater resilience to environmental changes and disruptions like climate change, diseases, and natural disasters. This resilience stems from having numerous species capable of fulfilling similar ecological roles; if one species is impacted, others can step in. A rich biodiversity enables ecosystems to bounce back faster from disturbances as the diverse array of species increases the chances of survival and ecosystem repopulation. These are the major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations' Environment Programme. 1. Habitat loss and destruction 2. Alterations in ecosystem composition 3. Over-exploitation 4. Pollution and Contamination 5. Global climate change These are the major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations' Environment Programme. 1. Habitat loss and destruction Habitat loss and destruction is when a natural environment is no longer able to support the species that live there. 2. Alterations in ecosystem composition Alteration in ecosystem composition refers to changes in the types and relative abundance of different species within an ecosystem. These are the major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations' Environment Programme. 3. Over-exploitation Overexploitation is the practice of harvesting a renewable resource at a rate that is faster than it can replenish itself. 4. Pollution and contamination Contamination is the presence of a substance where it shouldn't be and pollution is a type of contamination that has a harmful effect on the environment. These are the major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations' Environment Programme. 5. Global climate change Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Biodiversity Loss has serious consequences, leading to declines in ecosystem stability and functioning. It results in fewer wild foods and reduced nutritional security, less productive and resilient agricultural systems, and diminished access to traditional medicines. This loss can increase disease burdens and impact labor, undermining human health by reducing nutrition, clean water, and habitat. Ultimately, it jeopardizes nature's capacity to sustain human life.  CONSEQUENCES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS Ecological Consequences Ecosystem Stability: Loss of species can destabilize these systems, leading to collapses. Trophic Interactions: The removal of certain species can disrupt food webs. For example, the decline of a predator can lead to overpopulation of prey species, resulting in overgrazing and habitat degradation. Pollination Services: Many crops and wild plants rely on specific pollinators. A decline in pollinator species can lead to reduced plant reproduction, affecting food supply and ecosystem health.  Economic Consequences Agricultural Impact: Biodiversity is crucial for crop resilience and pest control. Loss of genetic diversity can lead to increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, impacting food security and farmers' livelihoods. Fisheries Decline: Overfishing and habitat destruction can lead to loss of fish species, disrupting local economies reliant on fishing and leading to increased food scarcity. Tourism: Natural ecosystems attract tourists. Biodiversity loss can diminish natural beauty and recreational opportunities, impacting economies that depend on tourism.  Social Consequences Health Risks: Biodiversity plays a role in disease regulation. Loss of biodiversity can increase the incidence of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) by disrupting ecological balances. Resource Scarcity: As ecosystems degrade, access to clean water, food, and medicinal resources becomes compromised, leading to increased competition and conflict over remaining resources.  Climate Change Feedbacks Carbon Sequestration: Altered Climate Diverse ecosystems, such Regulation: Biodiversity as forests and wetlands, contributes to climate play crucial roles in regulation through carbon storage. Loss of processes like these ecosystems can evapotranspiration and accelerate climate habitat formation. Its loss change by releasing can disrupt local and stored carbon. global climate patterns. In summary, biodiversity loss has complex and interconnected consequences that affect the health of ecosystems, economies, and human societies. Addressing this issue requires integrated conservation strategies and sustainable management practices to preserve biodiversity and its essential functions. As stated by Tilman, “The Earth will retain its most striking feature, its biodiversity, only if humans have the prescience to do so. This will occur, it seems, only if we realize the extent to which we use biodiversity (Rainforest Conservation Fund, 2017)” Biodiversity is a major factor that contributes to sustainable food production for human beings. A society or a population must have access to a sufficient variety of nutritious food as it is a determinant of their health as human beings. According to the World Health Organization, biodiversity is a vital element of a human being's nutrition because of its influence to food production. NUTRITIONAL IMPACT of BIODIVERSITY Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: ecosystem the species in the ecosystem the genetic diversity within species with food production as an eco system service NUTRITIONAL IMPACT of BIODIVERSITY Nutritional composition between foods and among varieties/cultivars/breeds of the same food can differ dramatically, affecting micronutrient availability in the diet. Healthy local diets, with adequate average levels of nutrients intake, necessitates maintenance of high biodiversity levels.  NUTRITIONAL IMPACT of BIODIVERSITY Intensified and enhanced food production through irrigation, use of fertilizer, plant protection (pesticides), or the introduction of crop varieties and cropping patterns affect biodiversity and thus impact global nutritional status and human health. NUTRITIONAL IMPACT of BIODIVERSITY Habitat simplification, species loss, and species succession often enhance communities, vulnerabilities as a function of environmental receptivity to ill health (WHO, 2007). All living organisms, including humans, depend on the environment to survive and reproduce. The environment provides essential resources: air, water, food, and habitat. Human evolution has been shaped by improvements in access to these basic needs. Advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene have had a larger impact on human health than medical technology. The environment can both sustain life and cause disease. A lack of basic necessities (clean water, food, shelter) leads to mortality and health risks. Environmental Hazards: Physical Hazards: Pollution, toxic chemicals, food contaminants. Social Hazards: Dangerous work conditions, poor housing, urban sprawl, poverty. These hazards increase the risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and asthma. Poor sanitation and unsafe water are major contributors to infectious diseases. Diseases caused by unsafe water: diarrhea, cholera, schistosomiasis, meningitis. 2015 Statistics: 350,000 children under 5 died from diarrheal diseases. 1.8 billion people used feces-contaminated water. Over 2 billion lacked access to basic sanitation. The connection between human health and biodiversity is complex and delicate. Loss of biodiversity poses a risk to the balance between health and nature. Protecting biodiversity is critical for sustaining human health. Protecting clean air, water, food sources, and ecosystems is vital for human health. The environment is not just a resource; it's essential to our survival.  ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS Environmental factors play a significant role in various human illnesses, including Parkinson's disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These diseases are often linked to pollution, pesticide exposure, and other harmful environmental conditions. Ironically, activities aimed at improving human health, such as food production and healthcare, can have detrimental effects on the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS For instance, agriculture often involves pesticide use, livestock waste, and deforestation, which contribute to environmental degradation. Similarly, hospitals consume large amounts of electricity and generate substantial waste. While efforts to eradicate diseases, like the use of DDT to combat malaria, have been successful in saving lives, they also pose environmental risks, such as the disruption of ecosystems.  ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS The relationship between human health and Addressing global issues such as the environment becomes even more climate change necessitates difficult complex in the face of climate change. Rising trade-offs. Increasing reliance on fossil global temperatures, largely driven by fossil fuel use, deteriorate agricultural systems, fuels has not only contributed to harm biodiversity, and increase the likelihood greenhouse gas emissions but also of extreme weather events, all of which affect exacerbated global warming, which has human health. Biodiversity, for example, helps far-reaching consequences for health, reduce risks like flooding and contributes to economies, and the environment. climate resilience. However, managing the Balancing the benefits of industrial and balance between maximizing food production and minimizing environmental economic growth with the need to harm is challenging. The use of pesticides, protect human health and sustain the while boosting crop yields, poses health risks environment is critical for a healthier and damages ecosystems, requiring careful and more sustainable future. regulation. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS Environmental Health Regulations and Vulnerable Populations Vulnerable Subpopulations These are individuals with increased susceptibility due to factors like age, genetics, and health status, requiring specific protection in environmental health policies. Regulations that protect only the average population may inadequately safeguard these groups, highlighting a justice imperative to address their needs. Broad protections for all are impractical and costly; thus, protections should be carefully targeted to defined vulnerable groups. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS Balancing Public Health and Individual Rights Public health measures such as mandatory treatments, vaccinations, and quarantine often challenge the balance between individual rights and the societal good. Environmental and health-related property restrictions, as applied to power plants and development projects, are justified to protect health. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS Ethical Considerations in Environmental Health Research Research involving human subjects requires informed consent and clear opt-out rights to ensure ethical integrity. Testing pesticides on human subjects remains controversial. Critics cite high risks and low societal benefit, while supporters argue such studies can strengthen regulatory measures. ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ILLNESS Mitigation and Action Plans Effective plans should aim to balance biodiversity conservation with public health benefits, requiring careful study and strategic implementation.