Biodiversity Loss and Causes: Causes, Effects, & Facts

What Is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the distribution and variety of all the forms of life. Biodiversity exists at genetics, species and ecosystem levels. It is necessary for sustaining organisms, ecosystem stability, adaptability and productivity. Biodiversity provides with the myriad of existent goods that people rely on including food, water, treatments and regulation of climate. However, the species is currently threatened by different human activities like deforestation, pollution, over-exploitation, and climate change.

Levels Of Biodiversity

The levels of Biodiversity are described below:

Genetic Diversity

• Genetic diversity simply means the variation of genes in species.

• It comprises variations in DNA sequences of two individuals of the same species

• It is very essential for species’ flexibility and existence.

• It minimising inbreeding depression

Species Diversity

• Species diversity is defined as the number and distribution of species in a specified area or habitat.

• It includes two components: species richness, that is the number of species and species unevenness, distribution of each species in any location.

• A high number of species diversity boosts the productivity and stability of the ecosystem.

Ecosystem Diversity

• Ecosystem diversity is defined as the distribution of different ecosystems in geographical space.

• This is composed of a variety of physical environments, species populations and structures as well as biological phenomena.

• Forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coral reefs, each of these areas are inhabited by different species, and perform various functions and services.

• Protection of diversity contributes positively to the stability of the biosphere.

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

The causes of the loss of Biodiversity are described below-

Habitat Destruction

The issue of habitat degradation is on the primary list since the area of the offered natural dwelling places is mostly restricted.

Deforestation:

• Deforestation for timber production, conversion of land to agriculture and for human settlement.

• This not only means elimination of trees but also the alteration of habitats that result in the species extinction.

Urbanization:

• As people built their cities larger and larger, this pressured the natural ecosystems restricting them in terms of space and isolating wildlife.

• Urbanization is usually followed by pollution, changes in land cover, and the introduction of new species.

• All of which pose more threat to biological diversity.

Agriculture:

• Some agricultural practices like monoculture, pesticides, and use of irrigation water negatively.

• Affect soil health by reducing habitat heterogeneity as well as species diversity.

• Agriculture taking over natural habitats affects species that originally inhabited those ecosystems in the worst of ways.

Climate Change

Weather change is one of the biggest risks to species and types of natural habitats affecting species’ existence and geographic distribution.

Global Warming:

• Global warming caused by greenhouse gases alters the physiologic conditions, phenology and geographic distribution of the species.

• Organisms may experience a decline in populations and or changes in species representation in the community.

Ocean Acidification:

• The increased amount of CO2 in the atmosphere dissolves in seawater resulting in ocean acidification.

• Acidification leaves the water solution low in carbonate ions that are crucial in the formation of shells.

• This also has negative impacts on aquatic organisms and their distribution altering the species' abundance in the coastal and ocean habitats.

Pollution

Environmental pollution is a major menace to biological diversity because it impacts abiotic components and depresses the living conditions of species.

Air Pollution:

• Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen dioxides from cars, factories and farming damage plants and animals through photochemical smog.

Water Pollution:

• Direct disposal of waste products, agricultural effluents and the disposal of plastics into water bodies affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen and is detrimental to water-borne creatures.

Soil Pollution:

• Chemicals used in agriculture and industries pollute the soils which in turn reduce the plant growth and the overall diversity in the soil.

Overexploitation

Overexplotation refers to the removal of species faster than the pace of population to replenish and therefore the negative impact on the general biological diversity.

Overfishing:

• Destructive forms of fishing like trawling and other forms of poaching lead to the loss of fish stocks and the destruction of the stocks’ habitats.

• This has reduced the fish stock and other species that depend on them as a source of food.

Hunting:

• Hunting impacts particularly endangered species.

• Hunting influences the existence of certain species and the balance of the ecosystem.

Logging:

• Selective and destructive methods of logging like clear-cutting and unauthorised or illegal logging of forest habitat and low species diversity.

• Logging poses a major threat to the habitats of many species that are unable to adapt to the change because of their large size or other factors.

Invasive Species

The members of an invasive species are organisms that introduce themselves into new geographical areas, which are not originally occupied by them and are usually destructive to the impacted ecosystem.

Definition and Examples:

The introduced species can well match the plant, animals or microorganisms that move to a new place intentionally or involuntarily. Examples include; Zebra mussels within the North American regions and cane toads within the Australian regions.

Diseases

Emerging infectious diseases are considered a severe threat to wildlife and also lead to the loss of species diversity.

• Infectious diseases have originated in a population within the recent past or they have migrated to new regions.

• Environmental changes like habitat loss, global warming, and various other anthropogenic activities can potentially lead to diseases’ occurrence and spread in the fauna.

• Disease can prove perilous for species when it results in lots of deaths, lowers the production of offspring as well as reduces the capability of animals to resist other ailments.

Biodiversity Loss and Species Status

Biological diversity depletion as a general term implies the decrease in the richness and numbers of species within a certain ecosystem or worldwide. This loss encompasses several categories of species vulnerability: This loss encompasses several categories of species vulnerability:

Role of IUCN in Biodiversity Conservation

The IUCN is the world’s biggest and most complex conservation organization. It includes governments, non-governmental organizations, scientists and community inhabitants for the solution of conservation issues and impacts of uncontrolled growth. Key roles of the IUCN in biodiversity include:

• IUCN Red List: Evaluates the status of species in different habitats described by their vulnerability and into the future of the species.

• Policy and Advocacy: IUCN acts as an information hub and offers advisory on effective policies and legal standings to governments.

• Conservation Projects: IUCN conducts field projects and makes actions that aim at protecting habitats, species, and ecosystems in hotspots and high-value areas.

• Capacity Building: IUCN strengthens local conservation.

• Research and Data: Promotes cooperation and exchange of data related to the changes in the global diversity of species.

Biodiversity NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Levels of biodiversity

• Causes of biodiversity loss

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Which of the following countries has the highest biodiversity?

1. Brazil

2. South Africa

3. Russia

4. India

Correct answer: 1) Brazil

Explanation:

The country boasts hosting an excellent percentage of the world's most biodiverse region-the Amazon rainforest. It also hosts nearly 10% of the total species known worldwide, which comprises more than 40,000 plant species, 2,000 bird species, and thousands of other species of animals. This nature of biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest makes Brazil one of the most critical places that assume critical importance in the field of conservation and ecological study, thus highlighting the importance of Brazil for global biodiversity.

Hence the correct answer is Option (1) Brazil.

Q2. Select the Incorrect option.

1. Biodiversity does not play any role in medicine and drugs.

2. Biodiversity helps industries with useful materials.

3. It helps to support human life.

4. It helps to decrease pollution.

Correct answer: 1) Biodiversity does not play any role in medicine and drugs.

Explanation:

Biodiversity is important for drug research and treatment. Nowadays, a lot of the drugs we take come from natural sources including fungi, plants, and animals.

For instance, the Pacific yew tree is the source of the cancer medication paclitaxel, and the opium poppy is the source of the analgesic morphine. These illustrations demonstrate the importance of biodiversity in the creation of novel medications and therapies.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1)Biodiversity does not play any role in medicine and drugs.

Q3. Among the ecosystems mentioned below, where can one find maximum biodiversity?

1. Mangroves

2. Desert

3. Coral Reefs

4. Alpine Meadows

Correct answer: 3) Coral Reefs

Explanation:

Among ecosystems, coral reefs are the most diverse.

They are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including corals, fish, and other marine life. These species may develop and dwell in safety on coral reefs. In terms of species diversity, they are regarded as one of the most abundant ecosystems. Coral reefs are frequently referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" because of the diverse range of life they sustain. The health of the oceans depends heavily on these ecosystems.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) Coral reefs.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Biodiversity

• Alpha, Beta, Gamma Diversity

• Ecosystem Services

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