- does it matter?

For too long, biodiversity has been viewed less significant than the "big issues" of the 21st century - issues of poverty, terrorism and security, global economics and climate change.

The tendency to denigrate biodiversity came about for many reasons, including a lack of political will and an economic system geared toward the wealthy nations.  Foremost is most likely the inability to see the connection between biodiversity and quality of life.

Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystems and habitats, which in turn constitute our natural environment. Ecosystems provide the goods and services which ensure well-being and moderate environmental conditions. When biodiversity is impacted, the direct consequence is to diminish the well-being of society. 

You may ask, what has biodiversity ever done for me?

Biodiversity feeds us, provides for our fuel and energy needs, clothes us, shelters us and heals us.  Without biodiversity, there are no trees for logging, food plants for agriculture, fish for commercial or subsistence fisheries, pollination of crops, or even wildlife for tourism.

These benefits of biodiversity are often referred to as ecosystem goods and services.  These services are categorised:

Provision – biodiversity provides all living organisms with water, food, fuel, medicine and fibres.

Regulation – biodiversity and its life-support systems regulate climate, water and the spread of disease.

Cultural – people need connection to nature. There are numerous spiritual, aesthetic, recreational and learning benefits.

Supporting life systems - production, soil formation and nutrient cycles.

Simply stated, without biodiversity, there are no livelihoods.

And biodiversity is also directly related to the quality of life you may expect.  Consider -

• Security – including access to resources, mitigation against natural disasters.
• Basic needs – including the ability to earn a living or subsist, sufficient food, nutritional variety, shelter, and access to goods.
• Health – including strength and feeling well, access to clean air and water.
• Good social relations – including social cohesion, mutual respect and the ability to help others.

 Essentially, biodiversity gives us more freedom of choice.

Threats to Biodiversity

The HIPPO in the room

 The biologist E. O. Wilson developed an acronym to sum up the threats to biodiversity. 

Habitat destruction, disturbance and fragmentation

Habitat destruction and the changes to ecosystems is possibly the greatest cause of biodiversity loss.  Fragmented habitats cause species to become isolated small populations particularly vulnerable to genetic in-breeding.  This makes the species more vulnerable to random events, from warfare to extreme weather.  While the genetic pool shrinks, so too does reproductive fitness and the adaptability of populations. As a consequence, there is lower reproduction and also a higher death-rate. No wonder extinction trends are on the increase.

Introduced and invasive species

Introduced species often become invasive when they breed and out-compete or eat the endemic species.  Invaders impact on fauna and flora, but also on the soil, land and water resource.  Invaders tend to resource-hungry and deplete the natural assets.

Pollution

Since the industrial revolution, countries - mostly in the "industrialised west" - have been polluting for two centuries. Joined now by emerging economies such as India, China and South Africa, the pollution levels world-wide are soaring.  Key focus areas to address pollution include water contamination by fertilizers, pathogens, acid-mine drainage; pesticides affecting plants, animals and the receiving environment; coal-fired electricity plants which produce high levels of air pollution and contaminate water;  untreated sewage and effluent contaminating water systems, including rivers and groundwater; and landfill waste which grows exponentially with pollution and affluence.

Population

Population growth is the main cause of pressure on the ecosystems and the degradation of the environment.  The world population estimate for the end of 2010 is close on 6.9 billion people, with projections of an increase to peak at 9.2 billion by 2050. While the growth rate is negative in central and eastern Europe for example, is increasing in Latin America, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.  The growth rate feeds the demand for natural resources, while the human settlements expand, encroaching on and transforming natural habitats.

Over-exploitation

From muti-plants to rhino horns, from forest trees to oceanic fish, we are living beyond our means.  Society consumes the equivalent of what three planets would produce per year. Societies also do not consume equally. The richer nations far outstrip the poorer ones in terms of consumption. As a species, we have become predominantly urban and increasingly disconnected from nature. We are drawing on nature’s capital rather than living off its interest.  Any economist would explain that bankruptcy is set to follow.

Wilson's "HIPPO" summarises the key causes of destruction of the natural environment.  Clearly evident is the common factor - our own excessive consumption of natural resources, and the massive footprint we leave on the earth.

How far would you go to make a positive contribution to the environment? Recycle a plastic bag? Place a self-inflicted ban on flying? Have no children?  And what would you do to restore balance? Recycle your grey water? Clean a river?  Protect natural corridors for migration? 

The Biodiversity Stewardship Programme allows landowners to make a real difference.  Become a Steward of the Environment today.