So what is the problem?
We are losing so many different species and swathes of land every single second.
Historically, habitat and land degradation have had the biggest impact on biodiversity in all ecosystems, but climate change and pollution are projected to increasingly affect all aspects of biodiversity.
There are 5 major principle pressures on biodiversity that are persistent, even intensifying:
Habitat loss and degradation.
One of the land's greatest threats to biodiversity. Habitat loss is directly linked to human induced pressures on land. Our constant development means that we must destroy natural ecosystems for progress. Sometimes our development does not completely destroy an ecosystem but simply decreases its size. This in itself can be destructive. Many animals have a certain range that they must maintain in order to survive. If they do not have access to this area, their lives are significantly altered. Closer quarters causes much more competition between species, and this may lead to the eventual extinction certain species.
Climate change.
Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss.
Rapid climate change affects ecosystems and species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases. Species and populations may be lost permanently, if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to the changing climate conditions. The rapid climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss risks human security. Climate change is becoming a progressively more significant threat with each decade. Loss of Arctic sea ice threatens biodiversity not only within the Arctic areas but has implications on biodiversity beyond the Arctic as well. The related pressure of ocean acidification, the results from higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is also already being observed.
Ecosystems are showing negative impacts under current levels of climate change. In addition to warming temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events and rapidly changing patterns of rainfall and drought can be expected to have significant impacts on biodiversity loss.
Historically, habitat and land degradation have had the biggest impact on biodiversity in all ecosystems, but climate change and pollution are projected to increasingly affect all aspects of biodiversity.
There are 5 major principle pressures on biodiversity that are persistent, even intensifying:
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Climate change
- Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution
- Over-exploitation and unsustainable use
- Invasive alien species
Habitat loss and degradation.
One of the land's greatest threats to biodiversity. Habitat loss is directly linked to human induced pressures on land. Our constant development means that we must destroy natural ecosystems for progress. Sometimes our development does not completely destroy an ecosystem but simply decreases its size. This in itself can be destructive. Many animals have a certain range that they must maintain in order to survive. If they do not have access to this area, their lives are significantly altered. Closer quarters causes much more competition between species, and this may lead to the eventual extinction certain species.
Climate change.
Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss.
Rapid climate change affects ecosystems and species ability to adapt and so biodiversity loss increases. Species and populations may be lost permanently, if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to the changing climate conditions. The rapid climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss risks human security. Climate change is becoming a progressively more significant threat with each decade. Loss of Arctic sea ice threatens biodiversity not only within the Arctic areas but has implications on biodiversity beyond the Arctic as well. The related pressure of ocean acidification, the results from higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is also already being observed.
Ecosystems are showing negative impacts under current levels of climate change. In addition to warming temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events and rapidly changing patterns of rainfall and drought can be expected to have significant impacts on biodiversity loss.
Source: John Cook, 2011, 'Infographic on where global warming is going', <SkepticalScience.com>
"All of us are affected, in one way or another by Climate Change."
- WWF Global
The difference between many species and humans is that we can wrap up warmer, cool our living rooms, and it's far easier for us to escape the worst of some climatic impacts. For many species, this is not possible. They are not as mobile, not so inventive, and cannot adapt as easily as we do to the changes brought on by our massive emissions of greenhouse gases.
Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution.
Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding environment. This means pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species.
Over-exploitation and unsustainable use.
Over-hunting, over-fishing or over-collecting of a species can quickly lead to its extinction. Changing consumption patterns of human is often noted as the main reason for this unsustainable exploitation of the Earth's natural resources.
Invasive alien species.
Many exotic species have been introduced into different regions that they did not originally come from. This introduction of exotic species that replace local and native species is noted as the second largest factor of biodiversity loss. Alien invasive species replace native species, and this can offer result in the extinction of native species. The annual economic damage caused by invasive plant and animal species is estimated to be around US$1.4 trillion.
Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding environment. This means pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species.
Over-exploitation and unsustainable use.
Over-hunting, over-fishing or over-collecting of a species can quickly lead to its extinction. Changing consumption patterns of human is often noted as the main reason for this unsustainable exploitation of the Earth's natural resources.
Invasive alien species.
Many exotic species have been introduced into different regions that they did not originally come from. This introduction of exotic species that replace local and native species is noted as the second largest factor of biodiversity loss. Alien invasive species replace native species, and this can offer result in the extinction of native species. The annual economic damage caused by invasive plant and animal species is estimated to be around US$1.4 trillion.