Scientific Consensus: Why Biodiversity Matters

Every autumn, as winter winds begin to blow and rain colorful leaves
from the trees, you may notice the differences in each leaf’s color and
shape. This is a form of biodiversity, or the variety of living organisms
on earth.
Biodiversity can be seen within species, between species, and within

and between ecosystems. Although biodiversity is hard to measure on
a global scale, in recent years there has been scientific
consensus that the planet’s biodiversity is in decline. That’s not great
news, because in general, the more species that live in an area, the
healthier that ecosystem is—and the better off we humans are.
Why Biodiversity Matters
Water hyacinth, an invasive species, can take over entire lakes, pushing out
native species and reducing biodiversity. Here, a worker sprays herbicide on
a mat of hyacinth. Photo: California State Parks Division of Boating and
Waterways
Healthy ecosystems require a vast assortment of plant and animal life,

from soil microbes to top level predators like bears and wolves. If one
or more species is removed from this environment, no longer serving
its niche, it can harm the ecosystem. Introducing foreign or invasive
species into a habitat can have similar results, as the invasive
species can out-compete the native species for food or territory.
Biodiversity affects our food, medicine, and environmental well-being.
Dragonflies, ladybugs and beetles pollinate many of the crops we rely

on for food, as well as plants in natural ecosystems. One type of
pollinator cannot do it all, hence the importance of biodiversity. Loss
of habitat—for example, when humans convert meadows into parking
lots or backyards—is reducing pollinator populations. If pollinators
were to disappear entirely, we would lose over one-third of all crop
production. This would reduce or eliminate the availability of foods like
honey, chocolate, berries, nuts and coffee.
Many modern medicines, like aspirin, caffeine and morphine, are

modeled after chemical compositions found in plants. If undiscovered
or uninvestigated wildlife species disappear, it would disadvantage
scientists trying to uncover new sources of inspiration for future
vaccines and medications.
Biodiversity also provides ecosystem services or benefits to people.

These benefits include: hurricane storm surge protection, carbon
sequestration, water filtration, fossil fuel generation, oxygen
production and recreational opportunities. Without a myriad of unique
ecosystems and their respective diverse plant and animal life, our
quality of life may become threatened.
Climate Impacts
To many, the term “climate change” feels like a buzzword that

encompasses a large amount of negative impacts. Climate means the
average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time—
usually 30 years or longer. A region’s climate includes systems in the
air, water, land and living organisms. Climate change is the shift or
abnormal change in climate patterns. As the planet warms quickly,
mostly due to human activity, climate patterns in regions around the
world will fluctuate. Ecosystems and biodiversity will be forced to
fluctuate along with the regional climate, and that could harm many
species.
Bees and other pollinators are threatened by habitat loss. You can help by
planting native flowers in your yard. Photo: Lauren Harper
These climate change impacts are in part due to how we have altered
land use. Turning natural areas into cities or agricultural fields not
only diminishes biodiversity, but can make warming worse by chopping
down trees and plants that help cool the planet. Changes in climate
can also intensify droughts, decrease water supply, threaten food
security, erode and inundate coastlines, and weaken natural resilience
infrastructure that humans depend on.
Politicians have proposed several solutions, plans and international

agreements to tackle the long-standing issues that biodiversity loss
and climate change present. In the meantime, we as individuals
can take small actions in our daily lives to reduce our environmental
impacts on the planet. Unplugging your unused appliances, changing
to LED lightbulbs, carpooling, and participating in meatless Monday
are all ways we can helpto slow climate change. Growing native
plants and staying informed about the origins and the ethics behind
the products you purchase is another way you can help. These types of
behavioral shifts can steer businesses and policy makers toward
incorporating sustainable practices that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and halt biodiversity loss.

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Every autumn, as winter winds begin to blow and rain colorful leaves

Biodiversity can be seen within species, between species, and within

Why Biodiversity Matters

Healthy ecosystems require a vast assortment of plant and animal life,

Biodiversity affects our food, medicine, and environmental well-being.

Dragonflies, ladybugs and beetles pollinate many of the crops we rely

Many modern medicines, like aspirin, caffeine and morphine, are

Biodiversity also provides ecosystem services or benefits to people.

To many, the term “climate change” feels like a buzzword that

Politicians have proposed several solutions, plans and international

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