6 Threats to Biodiversity and Biodiversity Crisis2

8/3/2019 6 Threats to Biodiversity and Biodiversity Crisis2

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UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY (FEGT)

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONS) ENVIRONMENTAL

ENGINEERING

UGNA 1053 Biodiversity and Concept of Ecology

Group Assignment

Assignment Title : The Six Threats of Biodiversity and Biodiversity

Crisis

Date : 08 August 2011

Group Member & ID : Tan Yi Mi 11AGB01150Lee Pei Ing 11AGB00069

Lecturer : Ms. Wong Lai Peng


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ContentNo. Index Pages

1. Introduction 2

2. The Six Threats to Biodiversity

2.1Introduced and Invasive Species2.2Habitat Destruction2.3Overpopulation2.4Overexploitation2.5Pollution2.6Climate Change

3-16

3. Biodiversity Crisis 17

4. Conclusions 18

5. References 19-20


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Figure 1.1 Pie Chart of the number and percentage

of species in each IUCN Red List category for all

mammal species.

1.0 Introduction

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of the earths species, the genes

they contain, the ecosystems in terms in which they live, and the ecological processes such as

energy flow and nutrient cycling that sustains all life. Biodiversity is a renewable resource.

Biodiversity makes up the structure of the

ecosystems and habitats that support essential

living resources, including wildlife, fisheries and

forests. It helps provide for basic human needs

such as food, shelter, and medicine. It composes

ecosystems that maintain oxygen in the air,

enrich the soil, purify the water, protect against

flood and storm damage and regulate climate.

Biodiversity also has recreational, cultural,

spiritual and aesthetic values.

The earths biodiversity is a vital part of nature that keeps us alive.

However, unfortunately, many plant and animal species on Earth are facing severe threats to

their survival and are disappearing at alarming rates. This is referred to as the biodiversitycrisis. Every day biodiversity is being lost at up to 1,000

times the natural rate and this is a rate that is rarely seen in

history as generally a species will last for an average of 2-10

million years (The IUCN Red List, 2010). On average, one

extinction happens somewhere on earth every 20 minutes.

Ecologists estimate that half of all living bird and mammal

species will be gone within 200 or 300 years (Phillip &Donald, 2002). This is mainly a result of human actions.

Over the last century, humans have come to dominate

the planet. Ecosystems are being rapidly altered for numerous

reasons, and the planet is undergoing a massive loss of

biodiversity due to the six major threats to biodiversity.In

this assignment, the discussion will mainly focus on the

six major threats of biodiversity and will briefly discuss

about the biodiversity crisis, its global effect and the ways to overcome it.

Figure 1.2 Proportion of all assessed

species in different threat categories

of extinction risk on the IUCN Red

List, based on data from 47,677

species. Source: IUCN


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2.0 The Six Threats to Biodiversity

2.1 Introduced and Invasive Species

Introduced species and invasive species are two different term. Introduced species are

species which live outside their native distribution range by human activity, either

deliberately or accidentally. Invasive species are introduced species which are harmful to

others local species and bring adverse affect to economic, environment, and ecology.

So, not all introduced species are invasive but all invasive species are introduced

species. For example oil palm in Indonesia and Malaysia are introduced species but not

invasive species because palm oil brings economic benefits to local. The Asian Long-horned

beetles in US are invasive species because the introduction of them caused thousands ofornamental trees has been destroyed, and harmed local environment. Most of invasive species

are introduced deliberately.

The growth and reproduction of the

introduced and invasive species may loss

control and become a threat to local biodiversity, and will bring negative effect to ecological

value, economic value and cultural value of biodiversity.

2.1.1 Study Case: Introduced and invasive speciesLamprey

Figure 2.1.1 Oil palm in Malaysia and Indonesia

Figure 2.1.2 Asian Long-horned beetle in US


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Lampreys are vertebrates under phylum

chordate which dont have jaws or paired fins.

Half of the lampreys are parasites. They attach

on fish with a sucking disk and sharp teeth then

suck fishs blood as food. They often scarring

and killing host fish. Lampreys originate from

Atlantic Ocean. They can live in both salt and

fresh water. Sea lampreys were accidentally

introduced into the Great Lakes in the early 20th century through shipping canals. Today, sea

lampreys can be found all over the Great Lakes.

As mention above, lampreys are so destructive. Introduction of lampreys into lake

cause many fish die under the attack of lamprey. Introduction of lamprey bring negative

effect to local ecosystem and economy. According to the statistics, each lamprey can kill 18.2

or more kilograms of fish. Even more, only one of

seven fish attacked by a lamprey will survive

(Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 2010). In some cases, lampreys start to attack human and

cause series injuries. Nowadays, human spent millions of dollars each year to control lamprey

population especially in North American Great Lakes.

Three major methods to control lamprey are:

1. Set up barrier between streams that feed the lake and lake to prevent lamprey distribute.

Figure 2.1.3 sucking disk and sharp teeth of

lamprey

Figure 2.1.4 Fish attack by

lamprey

Figure 2.1.5 Fish attack by lamprey


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2. Apply a type of toxicant called lampricides which are harmless to most other aquatic

species to kill lamprey.

3. Use chemically sterilized male lamprey in a method akin to the sterile insect technique.

2.2 Habitat destruction

Habitat destruction is the process by which natural habitat is damaged or destroyed to

such an extent that it is no longer is capable of supporting the species and ecological

communities that naturally occur there (Butler, 2006). It often results in the extinction of

species and loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction can occur through natural processes or

human activity. Volcanism, fire and climate change may cause habitat destruction but human

activities are the major cause.

The growth curve above shows the shape of the increasing of human population in

20th century. But animal populations do not usually rise sharply. The increasing of human

population is putting pressure on natural resources. Hence, to get more resource we need to

exploit more and cause habitat destruction.

Below are some major causes of habitat

destruction:

Figure 2.2.1 The Graph of of Year Versus Human Population


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1. Logging: Product of trees are widely use in construction, furniture and our daily

life. In some developing country wood are uses as fuel. Collecting wood for fuel does

not necessarily destroy rain forests, but it does damage or degrade them. People are

cutting down the forest for wood and wood produce. Commonly only large prime tree

are cut down but smaller trees can be destroyed in process.

2. Urbanization: For more places to live human start to clear forest to develop city.

Cities replace the natural habitat of

animal and plant. Highways and

freeways can destroy plants and also keep animals from safely traveling through their

natural habitat.

3. Agriculture: For more food resource, land is clearing to plant crop and domestic

animal such as chicken, pig and cow. It will destroy natural habitat of wildlife.

2.2.1 Study Case : Tropical Rainforest in Malaysia

As we now, rainforest have most plentiful natural resource in the world. Almost 40%

to 75% of all biotic species are habitat in rainforest (Butler, 2006). Rainforest also play acritical role in oxygen and medicines provide. So, tropical rainforest have been called The

Jewels of the Earth.

Malaysia is covered with tropical rainforest

which have plentiful natural resource. According to

survey, Malaysia is home to 15,500 species of

plants, 746 birds, 300 mammals, 379 reptiles, 198

amphibians, and 368 species of fish (Butler, 2006).

But this few years, Malaysias deforestation rate is

accelerating faster than of any other tropical

country in the world. Malaysia annual

deforestation rate jumped at almost 86% between

the 1990-2000 period and 2000-2005. In total, Malaysia lost an average of 140200 hectares,

which is 0.65% of its forest area per years since 2000 compare to the Southeast Asian country

with a loss of an average of 78500 hectares, which is 0.35% of its forests per years since 1990

Figure 2.2.2 logging

Figure 1 Large scale of rainforest in

Malaysia are destroy to plant oil palm


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(Butler, 2006). The main factor cause deforestation in Malaysia is logging, mining,

agriculture and incomplete government policy to protect primary forest.

2.3 Overpopulation

Overpopulation is a condition when an organisms population numbers exceed the

carrying capacity of its habitat. Overpopulation here refers to human overpopulation. As we

know, human have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language,

introspection, and problem solving. But as a most successful developed species in the earth,

overpopulation of human became a major threat to biodiversity nowadays.

As mention above, human population have a shape increase since 20 century.

Nowadays the numbers of human in the earth are exceeding the carrying capacity of

environment. Humans are 10,000 times more common than we should be (Beliuz, 2008).

Exceeding the carrying capacity of environment causes the short supply of essential natural

resource including clean water, food, shelter, warmth and others resources to sustain life.

Short supply of essential natural not only affect human, but the others species too, and this

become threat to global diversity.

Human expend natural resource more than other species in the earth require making

their life more easy and comfortable but they dont cherish resource they get from earth. As a

result, the rate of human expend natural resources exceed the rate of replenishment and

reproduction of the natural resources. In addition, human activity such as agriculture, fishing,

manufacturing will cause environment pollution and accelerate natural resource depletion

(Beliuz, 2008).


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2.3.1 Study Case: Overpopulation in Singapore

Overpopulation often occurs in developed urban such as Singapore. Abundant people

immigrated into urban from working chance, completed medical care and education. As an

island country, Singapore geographically lack of natural resource such as fresh water, shelter,

forest product, and agriculture product. Hence, effect of overpopulation more obvious in

Singapore. For an example, Singapore lack of

terrace house, most Singapore public live in

flat because lacking of land to build house in

Singapore. Singapore government control

overpopulation through immigration control

and education.

1. Immigration control

Singapore has a set of complete immigration

control. To immigrate to Singapore, one

person has to pass a set of test such as English test and has to be professional with high

education level. People who are not Singapore residents cant buy house in Singapore. The

increasing of hardness to immigrate to Singapore directly decreases the immigrationpopulation size. Besides, according to survey, higher educational group will give birth to less

offspring compare to lower educational group. Less offspring helps to decrease pressure at

require natural resource.

2. Education

As mentioned above, higher educational group will birth less offspring compare to low

education group as people who receive high education spent more time to focus on their job

and have higher demand to their mate.

Women have a direct role in regulating the size of their family (Beliuz, 2008).

Women who receive high education will focus more on their child quality than quantity.

They will give their child the best education and resource. So they have no more remaining

economy ability to burden more children.

Figure 2.3.1 lack of shelter in Singapore


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Figure 2.4.1 This female rhino was chased off a cliff

by poachers armed with dogs.Her calf was left

orphaned and refused to leave its mother's body.

(Photo via Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit)

2.4 Overexploitation

Overexploitation is also called overharvesting.It is the over use of wildlife and plant

species by people for food, clothing, pets, medicine and many other purposes, and occurs

whena resource is consumed at an unsustainable rate. As an illustration, 25,000 species ofplants are recognised as threatened in this way by the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species (CITES)( Kew, 2011). Overexploitation occurs in the form of illegal

overhunting, wildlife trade,excessive logging and over-collection of plants from the wild.

Overhunting

Over-hunting has been a significant cause of the extinction of hundreds of species and

the endangerment of many more, such as whales and many African large mammals (Allan,

J.David; Fathom, 2001). Over-hunting can lead to extinction because the animals cannot

reproduce fast enough to keep up with human demand.From the earliest of times, hunting for

wild mammals and birds for food has been an important human activity as a means of

survival.More recently, however, hunting of animals for food has taken a back seat, and

hunting for their skin, tusks or bones has gained prominence. Besides, the animals are also

hunted for sports, zoos, pet trades, ornaments and jewelleries, biomedical researches and

education (some animals such as frogs are dissected in many biology classes).The way of

hunting also can threaten the biodiversity. Hunters sometimes seek animals far into remote

areas and use extreme methods, such as laying mines and traps rather than using the more

commonly used methods and tools such as guns, nets and dogs. This may caused non-

targeted species being captured.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Some protected species are

illegally killed for their valuable parts or

are sold live to collectors and may

endanger many larger animals and some

rare plants. Globally this illegal trade in

wildlife earns smugglers at least $10 billion

a year-an average of $19,000 a

minute(Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009).

Rapidly growing wildlife smuggling is a high profit, low risk business because few of the


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smugglers are rarely caught or punished. At least two-thirds of all live animals smuggled

around the world die in transit(Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009). Joe Walston, director of the

Wildlife Conservation Societys Asian programs, called the illegal trade in wildlife the

single largest threat to biodiversity in Asia(Rudolf, 2010).Excessive Logging and Over-Collection of Plants from the Wild

Plants are vital to our survival and

are the foundation of most of the Earths

ecosystems. People harvest plants for

food, medicine, building materials, and as

raw materials for making other products.But too many plants are taken from the

wild can lead to extinction.Some plants

which are collectedfor ornamental uses,

such as orchids, are so prized by

collectorsthat they are now endangered

and legally protected from poaching by

international law. Forests are overexploited when they are logged at a rate faster thanreforestation takes place. Tropical forests are so important because they harbour at least 50%,

and perhaps more, of world's biodiversity (Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009). Direct observations

reinforced by satellite data, documents that these forests are declining and thecurrent rate of

loss is estimated at near 2% annually and caused the diminishing of biodiversity (Allan,

J.David; Fathom, 2001).

Overexploitation of species can result in knock-on or cascade effects. This can

particularly apply if, through overexploitation, a habitat loses its apex predator. Because of

the loss of the top predator, adramatic increase in their prey species can occur. In turn, the

unchecked prey can then overexploit their own food resources until population numbers

dwindle, possibly to the point of extinction.

2.4.1 Study case: Malaysias Fisheries

As fishing gear and boats have improved, the fishing industry has become very

efficient at harvesting fish and shellfish. The industrialization of the fishing industry and the

Figure 2.4.2 Excessive logging in the Temengor

Forest Reserve has resulted in erosion and damage to

nature.Picture courtesy of Malaysian Nature

Society.


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increasing world demand for seafood have people taking more fish from oceans, lakes and

rivers than is sustainable. As a result, 53% of the worlds fisheries are fully exploited and 32%

are overexploited, depleted, or recovering from depletion and as many as 90% of all the

oceans large fish have been fished out(WWF, 2010).

In Malaysia, fisheries play an

important role in culture and economy.

Malaysia is a nation with more sea than

land and there are more than 120,000

licensed fishermen and aquaculture

operators within the fisheries sector in

2007(WWF & Society, 2010). Despite

increase in revenue over the years, the

situation on the ground is worrying.

Fisheries resources have depleted since

1970, so much so that fish biomass has

declined as much as 90% between 1971 and 1997 in some fishing areas(WWF & Society,

2010). This is based on the Department of Fisheries' decadal resource survey that concludes

that the demersal resources in west coast and east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the reefs offSabah and Sarawak was already over-exploited in 1997(WWF & Society, 2010).

The main threats to the fisheries resources are overfishing, which is harvesting the

fish resources more than its sustainable level, and the environmentally damaging fishing

practices as many fisherman uses non selective gears such as trawl nets which results in high

catch of non-targeted species and using cyanides and bombs to catch fish which can results in

the devastating of coral reefs and the marine environments.

Of course, it isnt the consumption of seafood that is to blame, but if the consumers

decide to stop buying threatened and undersized fish, the fishermen will have no reason to

catch those fish. The choice of the right ways of fishing is also important. This will reduce

the pressure on the species and allows it to restock. .

Figure 2.4.3 A trawling boat in the Indo-Pacific

fishing for orange roughy, Hoplostethusatlanticus.There is one orange roughy in the top left-hand

corner. (photograph courtesy of Right Bite program,

John G. Shedd Aquarium).


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Figure 2.5.1 Water Pollution due to

toxic discharges

Figure 2.5.2 Emissions from industrial factory

2.5 Pollution

Pollution is one of the most serious threats, as it is a prominent factor when it comes

to extinction of animal and plant species. Species with limited geographical range are the

most affected when it comes to extinction due to pollution. Pollution occurs when substancesare released into an environment where they can have a harmful effect on living and non-

living things. Human activities can pollute both on a local and global scale and may affect

water, soil and air, three of the most important natural resources.

Water pollution often occurs due to

industrial and municipal toxic discharges, bacterial

contamination, and nutrient buildup which the

nutrients are often originate as run-off from

fertilizers applied on agricultural fields. The excess

nutrients can cause algal blooms and deplete

dissolved oxygen levels.

Water Pollutants can sway the balance of an

ecosystem resulting in danger to natural wildlife of

aquatic environments. Amphibians tend to be very

sensitive to pollution due to the fact that they absorb chemicals in the water through their

skins. With addition of detergents to the eco-system, insects that normally have the ability to

walk on water will be unable to. Younger animals also have a greater sensitivity to chemical

compounds, especially those that mimic organic

compounds, since they are still undergoing the

physiological changes associated with maturation

(Fears, 2009). Water Pollution can also lead to

Biochemical Oxygen Demand which results to the

aquatic animals thriving on the dissolved oxygen

from air die of suffocation.

Air pollution can originate from many

sources, and most is caused by factories, power

plants, transportation engines, power and heat generation and even things like windblown

dust and wild fires. Air pollution is a great threat because all the living things breathe air. If


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Figure 2.5.3 This composite image shows the world light

use at night. (Credit: Data courtesy Marc Imhoff of NASA

GSFC and Christopher Elvidge of NOAA NGDC. Image by

Craig Mayhew and Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC.)

polluted air is breathed, the chemicals and fumes get into the bodies and make them

extremely sick.

Acid rain which caused by air pollution can caused a significant impact on

biodiversity as it will make the surrounding environment become acidic. Species that do not

tolerate acidic environments, especially those which live in the aquatic environment, will first

begin to lose the ability to reproduce. Even if a female is able to spawn, the young of the year

might not be able to survive the harsh acidic environment, and may be more susceptible to

disease or deformity (U.S Environmental Protection Agency, 2010).

Others pollution such as light pollution and soil pollution are also a great threat to

biodiversity. Soil acidification creates ecological dead zones, leaving areas unfit for plant life

and the animals that depend upon them as sensitive plant species are especially vulnerable to

changes in soil chemistry, causing plant die-offs and lower biodiversity.

2.5.1 Case Study : Decreasing Population of Birds and Light Pollution

Light pollution is defined as the

over emission of light from artificialsources in wrong directions, amounts or

spectra. The physiology and ecology of

species, the interactions between species,

and functioning of ecosystems is governed

in part by light. They have evolved to cope

with, depend on and take advantage of

natural darkness. A night sky without

artificial light is therefore vital to the proper

functioning of natural ecosystems. In

modern times, humans have developed and deployed extensive outdoor and indoor electrical

lighting. The outline of these lights is now visible from space and this shows that the light

pollution is getting worse nowadays.

Artificial lighting seems to be taking the largest toll on bird populations. In a light

polluted site, birds are continuous chirping throughout the night, in anticipation of a dawnthat will not arrive for many hours. This seriously disrupts their sleep patterns, preventing


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Figure 2.5.4 A bird hitting a window

due to light pollution

them from resting(British Astronomical Association, 2010). Night time lighting is adversely

affecting insect species upon which some birds feed and causing the declination of some

birds population .Light pollution also reduces the suitable area of feeding habitat for owls

and other night-hunting birds.

Nocturnal birds use the moon and stars for

navigation during their bi-annual migrations. When

they fly through a brightly-lit area, they become

disoriented, as they mistaken the illumination for

stars or the moon. The birds often crash into

brilliantly-lit broadcast towers, skyscrapers or buildings,

or circle them until they drop from exhaustion.

Sometimes whole flocks collide with over-lit structures. In 1981, over 10,000 birds slammed

into floodlit smokestacks at the Hydrox Generating Plant near Kingston, Ontario(Guynup,

2003). In 2000, volunteers gathered over 3,000 dead and wounded birds of 138 different

species in Toronto. In 2006, a further 2,000 dead birds from 89 different species were put on

display at the Royal Ontario Museum to encourage people to turn off unnecessary

lights(British Astronomical Association, 2010).


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2.6 Climate Change

Another threat that needs to be concern is climate change. People have added carbon

dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by extracting

and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.The effect of these gases has been to trap heat and

accelerate the rate of global warming and rapid climate

change.

Climate change is a major threat to terrestrial and

marine biodiversity and ecosystem function and itis

predicted to be the greatest long-term threat to

biodiversity in many regions and is listed as a key

threatening process under the Threatened Species

Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

(Commonwealth)(NSW Government, 2011).

Global climate change threatens biodiversity

worldwide because it is modifying average

temperatures and rainfall patterns, and thereby

shifting climate zones.Although throughout Earths

history the climate has always changed with

ecosystems and species coming and going, rapidclimate change affects ecosystems and

species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases. This can lead to a change in the

abundance and distribution of individual species around the globe and cause a rise in sea

levels and problems to many coastal ecosystems. An average increasing of 1.8 degree Celsius

of the global surface temperature over the last few decades is causing the water bodies in the

tropical areas to evaporate at a faster rate, thus results in loss of habitat for fish and

amphibian species in these areas.

A 2004 study by Conservation International predicted that climate change caused

mostly by global warming could drive more than a quarter of all land animals and plants to

extinction by the end of this century(Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009). Some scientific studies

indicate that polar bears and 10 of the worlds 17 penguin species are already threatened

because of higher temperatures and melting sea ice in their polar habitats.

Figure 2.6.1 Climate change is

contributing to the bleaching of coral reefs.

The top photo shows a healthy staghorn

coral reef, and the bottom one shows one

that's been bleached. Photos by NOAA and

Dave Burdick


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Figure 2.5.2 By fitting a GPS collar to a

female bear, the researchers found out that

this bear swam continuously for 232 hours

and 687 km and through waters that were 2-6

degrees Celsius (Davies, 2011).

2.6.1 Case Study : Polar Bears and Global Warming

Polar bears are mammals which live in one of the earths coldest environments, the

Arctic Circle. Evidence shows that the Arctic warming as twice as fast as the rest of the world,

and that the average annual area of floating summer sea ice in the Arctic is declining and is

breaking up earlier and earlier each year, and this has become a great threat to the polar bears.

According to a new report from WWF,climate

change is the number one threat to the 22,000

polar bears that remain in the world(Young,

2002).

Polar bears hunt, feed and give birth on

ice or on land, and are not naturally aquatic

creatures. As the melting of ice is getting

earlier and the forming of ice is getting later,

this means that, the time bears have on the ice

is shorter making it more difficult for them to

store the energy they need to survive the summer. As the periods without food become longer,

the overall body condition of these polar bears declines. This is particularly serious for bears

that are pregnant or have cubs, and for the cubs themselves.

The increased sea ice melts also pushed polar bears to swim greater distances to find

enough food and to spend more time during winter hunting, risking their own life. Although

polar bears are strong swimmers, they are adapted for swimming close to the shore. Their sea

journeys leave them vulnerable to exhaustion, hypothermia or being swamped by

waves. Severalstudies link global warming and diminished sea ice to polar bears starving or

drowning while in search of prey. The researchers were startled to find bears having to swim

up to 96.6km across open sea to find food(Iredale, 2005).

According to a 2006 study by the IUCN-World Conservation Union, the worlds total

polar bear population is likely to decline by 30-35% by 2050, and by the end of this century,

the bears may be found only in zoos. In 2007, the IUCN listed polar bears as threatened in

their annual red list of endangered species, and in 2008, the U.S. government listed the polar

bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act(Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009).


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Figure 3.1 Graph of species extinction since 1800

based on a mathematical model linking species tohabitat loss developed by Edward O. Wilson and

others.

3.0 Biodiversity Crisis

Loss of biodiversity on which so much of human life depends, is one of the worlds

most pressing crises. Species have appeared and disappeared continually throughout Earth's

history, with extinctions occurring on average at arate of 0.1 to 1 species per million species-years.

However, nowadays every day species extinctions

are continuing at up to 1,000 times or more the

natural rate. Many scientists believe that the Earth

is heading into the sixth great period of extinction,

where up to a fifth of all species will be lost.

Geological and other records indicate that

the earth has experienced five mass extinctions

throughout global history and after each mass extinction, biodiversity eventually required

million of years to return to equal or higher levels (Miller & E.Spoolman, 2009). The crisis

facing species today differs in one fundamental way from the earlier five mass extinctions:

they have come about as the result of climatic change, a natural geological change or some

cataclysmic event. The present crisis, however, is being driven by human influences.

Biological diversity is the resource upon which families, communities, nations and

future generations depend. It is the link between all organisms on earth, binding each into an

interdependent ecosystem, in which all species have their role. It is the web of life. If human

activities continue to cause extinctions and the loss of biodiversity, this will threaten the

continuity of ecosystems and limit provision of goods and services to humans affecting

global economies and societies. Millions of people will face a future where food supplies are

vulnerable to pests and disease, and where fresh water is irregular or short supply. The

vulnerability of plants and animals to pests and diseases will also be increased. Ultimately, all

ecosystems will suffer by the loss of biodiversity and the balance of life on earth will be lost.

For example, damaged ecosystems lose the capability of soaking up and cleaning water,

leading to devastating floods and mudslides and poisoned and diminished ground water all

around the world; the extinctions of birds that play key and specialized roles on pollination

and seed dispersal, especially in tropical areas, may lead to extinctions of plants dependant on

these ecological services, and some specialized animals that feed on these plants may also

become extinct.


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4.0 Conclusion

The biodiversity crisis and threats may sound like yet another doom-and-gloom-

scenario. But biodiversity scientists are making progress in finding solutions to avoid this

crisis. Foremost, the major solution is reducing human population in sharp increasing rate.

Decreasing of birth rate is an important step to slow down population growth in each country

as it cans temporary slowdown natural resource consumption, but it was not enough. Human

need to reduce their consumption of natural resources (such as forest product, meat, water

and soil) to let renewable natural resources have enough time to replenish.

Since 20th century, rate of extinction increase obviously because rapid evolution of

science and technology. Although science and technology nowadays improve human life

causes the depletion of natural resource, it also can help in saving our biodiversity. For an

example, selective breeding technology can produce plants and animals species which more

adaptive to environment and produce high quality and quantity offspring accelerate natural

resource replenish rate. By help of technology, concept of environment protection and

important of biodiversity can dispersal through media such as ratio, television and most

efficiency way is internet. Video or news about environment protective or after effect of

pollution may dispersal rapid through social network like Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.

Moreover, government can use existing environmental laws and treaties and work to

enact new laws designed to prevent premature species extinction and protect overall

biodiversity. Creating and maintaining wildlife refuges, gene banks, botanical gardens, and

national park is also another way to protect the biodiversity.

Another step toward a solution to the loss of biodiversity is education. There are many

small steps that seem far too simple to work but which, if practiced by everyone, would go a

long way toward solving some of the problems. Walking or bicycling instead of driving,

using energy-efficient appliances, cutting down our dependence on fossil fuels are part of a

solution to biodiversity that almost anyone can put into practice easily. Problem of pollution

will more easy to solve, and reduction of consumption of natural resource will be more

efficiency if everyone have concept of environment protection.

From time immemorial, nature has fed us, cured us, and protected us. But today the

roles have switched. We need to feed nature, we need to cure it and protect it if we want to

secure a healthy and prosperous future for our next generation


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5.0 Reference

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2. Allan, J.David; Fathom. (2001). Threats to Biodiversit. Retrieved from The University ofMichigan: http://www.fathom.com/course/21701785/session2.html

3. Beliuz, J. (2008, October 7).Leading geneticist Steve Jones says human evolution is over.Retrieved from The Sunday Times:

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skies/wildlife.html

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environmental/articles/13705.aspx

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10.Guynup, S. (2003, April 17).Light Pollution Taking Toll on Wildlife, Eco-Groups Say.Retrieved from National Geographic News:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/04/0417_030417_tvlightpollution.html

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12.Miller, G., & E.Spoolman, S. (2009).Essentials of Ecology. United States: YolandaCossio.

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http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/biodiversity/climatechange.htm

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exotic-meats/?partner=rss&emc=rss

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bears.html

Documents

6 Threats to Biodiversity and Biodiversity Crisis2