World
Biodiversity Day : May 22
Important
to note
Brazil is the country with the greatest biodiversity of
flora and fauna on the planet.
Brazil has the highest number of species of known mammals
and freshwater fish, and more than 50,000 species of trees
and bushes, it takes first place in plant diversity.
Other countries known for Biodiversity : Australia,
China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru,
USA, Venezuela
Click
here to see Biodiversity ranks by MONGABAY
India
Aaranyak
The
Raintree Foundation : Velhe project
Cabo
Verde
Cabo
Verde Natura 2000 MAVA
Foundation
The project aims to ensure that illegal harvesting of eggs
and adults at priority nesting sites in Boa Vista is eradicated,
and that the impacts of natural events and human disturbance
on priority nesting sites are minimised.
Nigeria
AfriEarth Foundation
USA
XPRIZE
Biodiversity
& Conservation
Ocean
Health
Rainforest
Wildfire
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Funding
Agencies
Denmark
Aage
V Jensen Charity Foundation
Phillipines
The
Philippines Foundation : Sustainable Fisheries Acord
United
Kingdom
Ecological
Restoration Fund
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Challenges
People do not know what is Biodiversity : It is biological
diversity and refers to life on Earth, encompassing everything
from genes and species to ecosystems and the functions they
perform
Walter G. Rosen in 1986 coined "biodiversity"
The term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers
to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from
genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary,
ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity
includes not only species we consider rare, threatened,
or endangered but also every living thing—from humans to
organisms we know little about, such as microbes, fungi,
and invertebrates.
People value biodiversity both for what it provides to
humans, and for the value it has in its own right.
Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain
from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine.
Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination,
seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification,
nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Biodiversity
also holds value for potential benefits not yet recognized,
such as new medicines and other possible unknown services.
Biodiversity has cultural value to humans as well, for spiritual
or religious reasons for instance.
Over the last century, humans have come to dominate the
planet, causing rapid ecosystem change and massive loss
of biodiversity across the planet.
Climate Change driven by human activities, is altering
ecosystems and creating conditions that are difficult for
many species to adapt to, leading to biodiversity loss.
As human populations grow and land is converted for agriculture,
urbanization, and infrastructure, natural habitats are destroyed
and fragmented, isolating populations and reducing biodiversity.
Overexploitation of Resources:
Unsustainable harvesting and extraction of natural resources,
including wildlife, can lead to the decline and even extinction
of species.
Pollution:
Pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and other
sources can contaminate ecosystems and harm biodiversity.
Invasive Species:
The introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems,
outcompete native species, and lead to biodiversity loss.
Other Challenges:
Desertification: The expansion of deserts can lead to the
loss of biodiversity in arid regions.
Funding: Lack of adequate funding for biodiversity conservation
and restoration is a significant challenge.
Agriculture: Intensive agricultural practices can negatively
impact biodiversity, including the loss of pollinators and
the decline of certain plant species.
Ecosystem Restoration: Restoring degraded ecosystems to
their original state and biodiversity is a complex and challenging
process.
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