Living Lightly - Biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

By definition, biodiversity is the biological diversity found within an ecosystem as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. It is most commonly described using the following three categories:

Genetic: the variation of genes within a species

Species: the variety in the number of species found within an ecosystem

Ecosystems: the diversity of habitats and the ecological processes occurring within each type of habitat

Source: Australia Department of Environment, Sport and Territories

Why is it Important?

Biodiversity, simply put, describes the incredibly fragile interdependence of life on this planet. In our recent history, humans began to think ourselves immune to the consequences of tampering with the natural world. We tend to pride ourselves in our perceived adaptability to changes in our environment but we are also finding that little can be negotiated once a species has become extinct, altering the entire ecosystem to which it belonged. Hopefully, what we are discovering, slowly but hopefully surely, is that our mortality is as surely tied to the fate of the natural world as it is to crimes of violence among ourselves. Our interdependence on all that lives is illustrated through a simple review of our sources for food, medicines and recreation.

But it is egocentric to think that the value of diversity lies simply in it's relevance to humans. Diversity has incredible value for it's own sake. The functioning of every ecosystem on earth depends on the existence of each and every living thing. Earth can heal itself from the abuses of humans as well as natural disasters such as fire and drought. I say it CAN heal itself but only when it possess the resilience found in ecosystems rich in diversity.

Source: Australia Department of Environment, Sport and Territories

What threatens it?

The loss of biodiversity around the world is already a significant issue for environmentalists and scientists. It needs to become a priority item for lawmakers and corporate leaders. Hopefully educators are finding the way to include it in curriculums and textbooks. Species are becoming extinct at the fastest rate found throughout geological history. Unfortunately, much of this extinction have been tied to human activity. Now is the time to begin to really value what we have and what we stand to lose.

Habitat loss and destruction directly related to human activity

Alterations in an ecosystem due to loss or decline of a species

Introduction of exotic (nonnative) species

Pollution and contamination of an ecosystem

Global climate change

Source: Ecological Society of America

How do we preserve it?

The links below are good starting points when wanting to celebrate the diversity of life around us. Visit each site to enjoy and find activities you can incorporate into your life to make a difference. First and foremost, the Windstar Foundation is concerned with making the world work for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING with whom we share this planet. Keeping the Earth's ecosystems diverse and connected is not just a good idea, it is crucial for survival!