Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is short for
biological diversity and can be defined as the variety of all life forms on Earth the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, and the ecosystems of which they are a part
Genetic diversity: the total genetic information (inheritable characteristics) contained in the genes of all species Species diversity: the variety and number of species that appear in a particular location or region
Ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats, natural environments or biological communities in a given region
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Diversity of plant life regulates the greenhouse effect and the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Agricultural production is dependent on different species of insect and birds that pollinate numerous crops we eat as food Stability of ecosystems around the world require a diversity of species to maintain their richness
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Destruction of an ecosystem directly eliminates the various species of plants and animals that lived there, and the disappearance of one species has an effect on all those around it.
Introduction of a new species of plant or animal into an area can pose a serious threat to other species in the area because the new species might attack or outcompete the original species
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DEFORESTATION
What is deforestation?
Deforestation is
the clearing of the Earths forests on a massive scale, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land
the Aboriginal peoples who live in these forests have come under threat
Expansion into these areas reduces living space and their
resource base; exposure to the outside world erodes their lifestyles and cultures
As different aboriginal groups are exterminated, a
removal of massive carbon sinks and through the process of deforestation (burning) itself
DESERTIFICATION
What is desertification?
Desertification is
the process by which a productive dryland area is degraded to the point that it becomes unproductive desert land
people who live there are forced to seek new places to grow food
These people are subject to malnutrition and starvation
tax the resources of the new country, often leading to civil unrest
CONCLUSION