Threats to Biodiversity

We are currently experiencing the sixth mass extinction event and the planet is losing species at rate 100 to 1,000 times faster than the natural extinction rate. This mass extinction is not being caused by global climate change or by changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere, as has been the case in previous mass extinction events. Instead, it is being caused by competition between humans and all other species trying to survive on Earth. There are multiple factors contributing to biodiversity loss across the planet:

• Habitat Loss and Destruction – the growth and development of human civilization and populations has directly resulted in the loss of species, populations, and ecosystems.

• Alterations in Ecosystem Compositions – When one aspect of an ecosystem is changed, the effects can be felt throughout the entire ecosystem and can result in biodiversity loss. For example, the development of oil and tar sands production in Canada encroached on the natural habitat of native caribou and resulted in decreased caribou populations. To combat the problem, the Canadian government decided to begin poisoning the wolves to, theoretically, correct the problem. The result has been massive decreases in both caribou and wolf populations, as well as a large number of deaths of other local species that have been inadvertently poisoned.

• Invasive Species – Humans’ ability to travel the globe with increasing ease has lead to the problem of introducing non-native species into ecosystems. Once a species infiltrates a new ecosystem, they disrupt the natural workings of the biological community and often cause destruction.

• Over-Exploitation – practices such as over-hunting, over-fishing, and over-collecting can cause the demise of an entire species.

• Pollution and Contamination – Pollution and contamination generated by humans can destroy habitats and cause the extinction of species.

• Global Climate Change – Alterations within the global climate cause changes within the environment and, consequently, negative changes within species populations across the planet.

Global biodiversity loss has come about as a direct result of human interactions with the environment. In class, we have discussed topics such as pollution, mining, and climate change and the impact they have had on humans and our way of life. It can be easy to forget that our actions have an immense impact on other species and to forget how vital other species can be to us. The global ecosystem provides us with so many things that we take advantage of and if we continue to allow the destruction and loss of parts of this ecosystem, we will certainly feel the repercussions. It has been estimated that services provided by the ecosystem, such as crop pollination and pest control, are valued at approximately $33 trillion per year. For comparison, the global GNP is $18 trillion per year. 

Source: http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8381

Although a monetary value can be placed on the services the natural world provides us, the reality is that they are priceless. Without these vital services, life could not exist. The global ecosystem is incredibly intricate and all species rely on each other for their existence. Each piece of the ecosystem, no matter how small, is essential and the more diversity there is, the more efficient the natural global system is.

- Stephanie Dolan