Loss of Biodiversity – Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity loss refers to the decline or disappearance of biological diversity, understood as the variety of living things that inhabit the planet, its different levels of biological organisation and their respective genetic variability, as well as the natural patterns present in ecosystems.

Tropical regions which occupy only about one-fourth of the total area of the world, contain about three- fourth of the world human population.

Over- exploitation of resources and deforestation have become rampant to fulfil the needs of large population. The core concept of ecology is “Biodiversity”. It means that each living organism should be respected as an integral part of Creation.

As these tropical rain forests contain 50 per cent of the species on the earth, destruction of natural habitats have proved disastrous for the entire biosphere.

Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. cause damage to the flora and fauna of the earth, bringing change the biodiversity of respective affected regions.

Pesticides and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy the weak and sensitive species.

The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has classified the threatened species of plants and animals into three categories for the purpose of their conservation.

Endangered Species

Many species are considered to be endangered species. However, what does this mean? It means that these species are facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The IUCN publishes information about endangered species world-wide as the Red List of threatened species. Red Panda is an endangered species.

Zenkeria Sebastinei is a critically endangered grass in Agasthiyamalai peak (India).

Vulnerable Species

A vulnerable species is not yet endangered by extinction, but is a species that may become endangered and unable to live in the wild owing to unfavorable circumstances that threaten its habitat or livelihood.

4728 animal species and 4914 plant species are currently regarded as vulnerable. Survival of these species is not assured as their population has reduced greatly

Rare Species

A rare species is a group of organisms that are very uncommon, scarce, or infrequently encountered.

This designation may be applied to either a plant or animal taxon, and is distinct from the term endangered or threatened.