by Millions of species of plants and animals have been discovered on Earth and many more are yet to be discovered. They all play vital roles in each other, in their ecosystems, and in the overall health of the planet and make up what is known as biological diversity.
But what exactly is biodiversity? It is a shortened version of two scientific terms – biological diversity. Basically, it’s just about having a variety of living things. There are three main levels of biodiversity scientists are typically referring to, according to the Smithsonian, including species, genetic and ecosystem diversity. Under these categories, researchers are trying to find out how many and what kind of species are around, what is the genetic make-up of those individual species and which goes down through the generations and what is the population of species in different environments, such as waterways and forests .
“These levels cannot be separated,” says the Smithsonian. “Each one is important, interacting with and affecting others. Changes in one affect other levels.”
Why is biodiversity important?
A species’ ability to thrive is not only essential to its survival, but often, to the survival of others as well. One of the clearest examples of this is bumblebees. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there are 49 species of bumblebee across the US, and they will all go from flower to flower, picking up nectar and pollen as they go. Not only does this help feed individual bees, but the transport of nectar and pollen helps plant species thrive.
However, studies have found that climate change is threatening their survival, with researchers finding that bumblebee populations are likely to survive. 30% reduction on average within one generation of people.
Honey bees they also play a vital role in biodiversity. The USDA says they pollinate $15 billion worth of crops each year, helping support life for more than 130 agricultural products. The honey they produce, which people love and enjoy, is also worth millions.
What is biodiversity loss?
As important as biodiversity, it has arrived under significant threat. In 2019, a The United Nations the report found that around 1 million species of plants and animals could be at risk of extinction, and a more recent report found an even worse situation – up to 6 million species could become extinct in the next 50 years.
“Major direct threats to biodiversity include habitat loss and fragmentation, unsustainable resource use, invasive species, pollution, and global climate change,” says the American Museum of Natural History. “The root causes of biodiversity loss, such as a growing human population and over-consumption, are often complex and stem from many interrelated factors.”
How many species are there?
Scientists estimate that there are about 8.7 million species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms on earth, including about 2.2 million species that live in the world’s oceans. But even that number is low for the true amount of life on the planet.
“Despite 250 years of taxonomic classification and more than 1.2 million species already cataloged in a central database, our results indicate that about 86% of the existing species on Earth and 91% of the species in the ocean still waiting to be described,” said researchers in their 2011 study. “Renewed interest in further exploration and taxonomy is needed if this significant gap in our knowledge of life on Earth is to be closed.”
But new species are constantly being discovered. In 2023, scientists at the Natural History Museum in London say they have discovered 815 new species, from geckos to algae to swamp eels. And that’s just one group of scientists.
Thousands more species have been discovered since Earth Day 2023, including more than 5,500 species in one area, the Clarion-Clipperton Belt between Hawaii and Mexico. Researchers have also discovered new species hedgehogsa deep sea cat sharkthe “electric” blue tarantula.and a deep sea octopus.
“However, the bad news is that biodiversity is declining,” says the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) Red List, the world’s most comprehensive list of species’ conservation status.
There are more than 157,100 species on the Red List, including 44,000 that the group says are threatened with extinction – more than a quarter of all species assessed by the IUCN.
How to help and protect biodiversity
Although species decline is a serious and ongoing issue, there are things that everyone can do to help what is happening in their own backyard.
If you have a garden, for example, the local ecosystem can encourage the selection of native plants and wildflowers. Native plants, which are those that grow naturally in a region, are vital to an area’s biological web, help reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides needed and provide ample opportunities for pollination. According to the National Audobon Society, they also require less water to maintain and can help store greenhouse gases, which are the main driver of climate change when they are in the atmosphere.
If you enjoy hiking or spending time outdoors, respecting nature is essential. Not only are you sticking to paths and trails but for the safety of the species around you. Constantly disturbing habitats or walking on plants can destroy an ecosystem.
Reducing and reusing materials is also essential, as landfilling and pollution can be harmful to Earth’s life, especially marine life. Consider buying second-hand items and instead of throwing old clothes or things around the house, find a way to reuse them, sell them or donate them.
Basically, it’s about taking care of the home outside your home.
“We have the power to change our actions to help ensure the survival of species and the health and integrity of ecological systems,” says the American Museum of Natural History. “…Although we may not be able to prevent all negativity human impacts on biodiversitywith knowledge we can work to change the direction and shape of our effects on the rest of life on Earth.”
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