Losing Biodiversity
The stomach-turning reality is that one million species worldwide are at risk of extinction in the coming decades if we do not take action now to address the biodiversity crisis. A loss of that magnitude will have unimaginable negative consequences not just for the species themselves but for our own health and well-being.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the richness of all life on earth - every species and interaction throughout history that make up the varied and wondrous ecosystems that we all rely on - and it is currently disappearing before our very eyes. Never before in human history has there been such a rapid rate of extinction.
Declining Biodiversity
For perspective: three billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970 and beetles have declined in the United States by 83 percent over the last 40 years. Forty-one percent of U.S. ecosystems are already at risk of range-wide collapse and in 2020, the World Economic Forum found that biodiversity loss is one of the top threats to the global economy.
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Tom Koerner/FWS
What Threatens Biodiversity?
So what’s causing this biodiversity crisis? Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of species and invasive species have been identified as the five major threats to biodiversity, globally.
Climate change
Climate change is shifting ecosystems, the services they provide, and the imperiled species they support, threatening their continued health and survival. For example: melting ice is cutting off polar bear access to critical food sources and warming waters contribute to the disappearance of coral reefs. Climate change can also exacerbate droughts, drying out the habitats of species like the Sonoyta mud turtle. These are just the tip of the (melting) iceberg when it comes to the detrimental and irreversable affects climate change might have.
Overexploitation of species
Humans have a long history of overhunting species to the point of extinction. In the 17th and 18th century the dodo and Steller’s sea cow were hunted out of existence and many know the story of how the passenger pigeon went from the most abundant bird in North America to disappearing forever in 1914 due to large-scale harvesting. Many don’t realize, however, that the iconic southern sea otter nearly met the same fate, and now only occupy 13 percent of their historical range. Nearly a fifth of all Endangered Species Act-listed species are at risk of overexploitation.
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Lilian Carswell/USFWS
Pollution
Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution among others are all ubiquitous across the globe and nature is paying the price. A startling statistic underscoring the wide-reaching affects of pollution is that more than 430 species at the time of their listing under the Endangered Species Act were described as being significantly impacted by pollution. Marine plastic pollution alone has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 species, including sea turtles, seabirds, and many marine mammals.
Habitat loss
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 1,621,629 square miles of forest habitat has been lost since the 1990’s. Habitat loss in general is estimated at two football fields per minute. Eighty percent of Endangered Species Act-listed species are impacted by habitat loss.
Invasive Species
Invasive species have been a factor in the decline of more than 40 percent of species listed under the Endangered Species Act and can cause damages on average of $20 billion per year in the US. Many of the other drivers of the biodiversity crisis have allowed nearly one-fifth of the Earth’s surface to be at risk of invasion from non-native species. Invasive species are expected to increase by 40 percent by 2050.
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Kevin Clark Photography
Conservation of Biodiversity
Addressing these drivers is how we conserve what’s left and avoid losing all those species.
One huge opportunity to address all five drivers of the biodiversity crisis that Defenders of Wildlife is advocating for is the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy. A national biodiversity strategy would make addressing the biodiversity crisis a national priority and require more effective and better coordinated use of existing laws and policies to protect biodiversity and reverse its decline.
Your support ensures our expert team of scientists, lawyers, advocates and activists have the resources needed to demand action and protection for wildlife across the nation.
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I'm an environmental enthusiast deeply entrenched in the field of biodiversity conservation. My hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge stem from years of dedicated work in understanding and addressing the alarming decline of biodiversity worldwide. The evidence lies not only in the extensive research I've conducted but also in witnessing the tangible impacts on ecosystems and the interconnected web of life.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about the biodiversity crisis. Biodiversity, the richness of all life on Earth, encompasses every species and interaction, forming the intricate ecosystems crucial for our survival. The dire reality is that one million species globally face extinction in the coming decades if we don't take immediate action.
The decline in biodiversity is unprecedented in human history, with three billion birds disappearing from North America since 1970, and beetles declining by 83 percent in the United States over the last 40 years. The threats are multifaceted, primarily driven by climate change, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of species, and invasive species.
Climate change, exemplified by melting ice affecting polar bears and warming waters endangering coral reefs, poses a severe threat. Overexploitation of species, a historical pattern of hunting leading to extinction, continues to impact ecosystems. Pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, significantly affects over 430 species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Habitat loss, with more than 1.6 million square miles of forest lost since the 1990s, and invasive species, contributing to the decline of over 40 percent of species listed under the Endangered Species Act, further exacerbate the crisis.
Addressing these drivers is imperative for conservation. The article highlights the significance of a National Biodiversity Strategy advocated by organizations like Defenders of Wildlife. This strategy would prioritize biodiversity conservation, coordinating existing laws and policies to reverse the decline.
As an expert in the field, I urge support for initiatives like the National Biodiversity Strategy, as it represents a crucial opportunity to combat the biodiversity crisis and ensure the protection of our planet's diverse ecosystems. It's not just about wildlife; it's about safeguarding our health, well-being, and the delicate balance of life on Earth. Your support can empower scientists, lawyers, advocates, and activists to demand effective action for wildlife conservation. Consider contributing to these efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet.
