International Day of Biological Diversity

May 22nd marks the International Day of Biological Diversity: one of the United Nations’ designated days to acknowledge the most prominent worldwide issues and promote awareness on crucial matters that often go ignored. This day in particular aims to increase understanding of various issues in regards to, and celebrate, biodiversity. To simply define biological diversity as the variety of life that can be found on Earth does not do the term justice. Instead, biological diversity encompasses the sum of all ecosystems, species, genetic material as well as the variability within and among them [1]. From the flourishing pond teemed with vibrant life to the bustling grasshoppers clicking in the dry air, biodiversity represents the journey of our Earth, the culmination of billions of years of life. 

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General said, "From individual species through entire ecosystems, biological diversity is vital for human health and well-being. The quality of the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe all depend on keeping the natural world in good health” [2]. Although minimal attention has been paid to this day, this day’s messages are more prevalent now than ever. Biodiversity is the key catalyst to humanity, affecting the air we breathe, the state of our health, and the environment we live in. The global significance is far-reaching and is a crucial determinant of not only how society functions but also the future of humanity. Thus, it is vital to ensure individuals are aware of the importance of biodiversity. With the current, expanding threat on biological systems, the consequences will be detrimental to not only humans but our Earth as a whole. 

Importance of Biological Diversity

The importance of biodiversity is often understated. Many of humanity’s basic needs are supplemented by the ecosystem around us including crops for food, fresh water, forests, and more. The oxygen that plants dutifully release as a byproduct of photosynthesis is vital for living organisms and natural processes such as nutrient recycling, soil breakdown, and the water cycle are essential for growth of the whole biosphere [2]. More so, current life on Earth is the culmination of millions of years of evolution ensuring that only the fittest and most productive organisms survive. The ecosystem works in a systematically balanced fashion where every living thing has a niche and role to play. Every animal is intertwined in food chains and food webs and is part of a community bigger than just itself. Thus, losing just one species may not seem earthshaking, but the consequences will be seen worldwide. 

It is also important to acknowledge the diversity aspect of this concept. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change [3]. Furthermore, greater diversity within species protects living organisms against natural disasters and diseases. The fruit of evolution has led to life that has the ability to conform and efficiently adapt to catastrophes. Natural selection, a term coined by Charles Darwin, describes the process whereby the fittest organisms survive and are more likely to reproduce. Over time, whole species may possess a unique trait that allows them to better adjust to their environment. This is only possible due to genetic diversity found within each organism, meaning that every living thing is slightly different from another. Without this variety, any disease or natural disaster could readily erase life, highlighting how invaluable biodiversity really is.

Figure 1 - Darwin’s Finches Drawing. Darwin’s famous drawing of finches’ beaks on Galapagos Islands illustrates how natural selection has allowed for each finch to develop a unique shape to its beak based on its method of acquiring food. Figure reprinted from Ref [4].

Increasing Biodiversity Loss

The loss of biodiversity is an expanding problem that is growing at an exponential rate. At first glance, biodiversity loss is defined as the extinction of species [1]. However, this is just a small step in an extensive disintegration process. Much of biodiversity loss is attributed to human activities that inadvertently harm ecosystems. The most identifiable anthropogenic contributors involve land conversion, pollution, deforestation, climate change, and water extraction [1]. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, in the last 100 years, more than 90 percent of crop varieties have disappeared from farmers fields [5]. The extensive damage is not only detrimental to humans but also to the ecosystems that each crop is part of. The animals that use each crop as a primary food source will be the first living organisms of a long chain that are negatively affected. The secondary and tertiary consumers that indirectly depend on the crop will face a scarcity of food which will lead to a chain reaction through the food web. 

The IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, published this month, named agricultural production among the key drivers of biodiversity loss as well as a major source of the carbon emissions contributing to climate change [5]. Current agricultural methods are unsustainable and will lead to a global health crisis and environmental catastrophe. This will cause an even further loss of diversity which then contributes to malnutrition, a big risk factor for diseases such as immune dysfunction, heart disease, and overall increased mortality rates. In order to combat this, humans invest more resources into crop production and technologies that only further contribute to the disappearance of biological diversity, forming an endless cycle of loss.

Often featured in current headlines, climate change has been the source of growing interest in the last several years. Carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases and is single-handedly one of the largest contributors to the loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, the clearing of land for agriculture and deforestation for industry are anthropogenic causes to climate change [6]. Ultimately, climate change drastically transforms the ecosystem in a short period of time which renders species incapable. As mentioned before, the extinction of just one species has a domino effect with global consequences seen.

Figure 2 - Climate Model. This model demonstrates the exponentially increasing rise in temperature, much of which is attributed to anthropogenic effects. Figure reprinted from Ref [7].

How Can We Help?

“It is now more important than ever to think about how we are using, or indeed misusing, the basics,” UN Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner said. “We have local, indigenous and scientific knowledge which proves that production does not have to mean destruction” [5]. It is more than possible to actively change our lifestyles to reflect long-term sustainability goals. Below is a list of activities that one can gradually incorporate to promote an environmentally-conscious lifestyle [5]:

1. Compost food scraps

2. Recycle

3. Reduce meat consumption

4. Purchase local and seasonal produce

5. Reduce unnecessary packaging

6. Conserve water use

7. Reduce use of fossil fuels

Individuals can also support organizations that work to reduce pollution and reform current human activities that contribute to the destruction of ecosystems. Or, you could start a science project that helps with the monitoring and conservation of species!

The International Day of Biological Diversity is celebrated to not only raise awareness for this important issue but also to direct attention to reform movements that work to restore balance in our environment. Young people all around the globe can play their own part in saving our earth! Let’s all be more mindful!

Definitions

Anthropogenic: Originating due to human activity.

Evolution: Relies on natural selection. Change in characteristic of species over numerous generations.

Natural Selection: Key mechanism of evolution. Differential survival of individuals due to differences in phenotype.

Niche: Specialized position, place, or job in a community.

Greenhouse gases: Gases capable of absorbing infrared radiation and trapping heat in the atmosphere. Examples include water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.

References

[1] PBL Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving. (2017). Introduction to biodiversity [Online]. [Accessed 21-May-2020]. Available: https://www.pbl.nl/en/Introduction-biodiversity

[2] Desk ITW. (2019). International Day for Biological Diversity: Here's why the future of our food depends on biodiversity [Online]. [Accessed 20-May-2020]. Available: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/international-day-for-biological-diversity-biodiversity-united-nations-1531725-2019-05-22

[3] Shah A. (2014). Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares? [Online]. [Accessed 18-May-2020]. Available: https://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares

[4] Learning L. Biology for Majors II Natural Selection Darwin and Descent with Modification [Online]. [Accessed 21-May-2020]. Available: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/natural-selection/

[5] CBD. “International Day for Biological Diversity,” [Online], May 22 2019. [Accessed 19-May-2020]. Available: https://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2019/pr-2019-05-22-idb2019-en.pdf

[6] NASA. (2020). The Causes of Climate Change. [Online]. [Accessed 21-May-2020]. Available: https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/

[7] Carbon Brief. (2018). Q&A: How do climate models work? [Online]. [Accessed 21-May-2020]. Available: https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-how-do-climate-models-work

[8] Cho R, Cho R, Pipkin J, Jones P, Ngamillah T, Mihai B, et al. (2019). What You Can Do to Protect Biodiversity [Online]. [Accessed 21-May-2020]. Available: https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2011/04/30/what-you-can-do-to-protect-biodiversity/