Definition
- ‘Biodiversity’ is commonly defined as the variety of life in genes, species and habitats.
- For instance, the species that inhabit Singapore are different from those in Thailand, the plants and animals have different characteristics and needs, even though some of the same species can be found in all of those areas.
Importance of Biodiversity
-All living organisms are part of the web of life. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life.
-Biodiversity performs economic, aesthetic and recreational value
-At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.
Threats
The living inhabitants of the marine realm face four major threats:
-Overfishing (most harmful)
-Habitat damage
-Climate change
-Pollution
Overfishing
-Fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of 200 million people, especially in the developing world
-One of five people on this planet depends on fish as the primary source of protein.
-From commercial fishing, recreational fishing, illegal unregulated or unreported fishing.
-Fishing is identified as the main threat to marine ecosystems. According to a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimate, over 70% of the world’s fish species are either fully exploited or depleted.
Habit Damage
-Fishing gear commonly used to catch shrimp and bottom fish like cod and haddock, can cause long-term damage to sensitive marine ecosystems.
-E.g. A damaging method known as dredging pulls nets with a chain mesh base through soft sand or mud to catch scallops and sea urchins. These fishing gears severely destroy the ocean floor and damage the places where fish feed and breed.
Climate Change
-Human induced climate change - affects ocean temperature and levels.
-The marine creatures have to constantly adapt to the changed environment and subsequently, some eventually dying because of the drastic change.
-E.g. The increase in temperature level will cause the ice to melt, which may destroy the polar bear’s habitat
Pollution
-Most if not all pollution (air, land and many more) ultimately enters the sea.
-Marine biodiversity is thus most exposed to and critically influences the fate of pollutants in the world.
- Yet marine species are probably least resistant to toxicants. The spread of pollutants in marine food chains and therefore the quality of marine food is uncontrollable by humans.
No comments:
Post a Comment