Biodiversity is the variety of different species on Earth. This diversity includes genes, populations, ecosystems, and traits. It is the foundation for all life and provides services that are critical to human well-being.
For example, the diverse mix of plants in Central Park that make it a beautiful place to walk, run, and play contributes to the overall health of the ecosystem. And the different species of birds, insects, and mammals that inhabit it help control pests and pollinate plants. In turn, this helps create healthy soils and clean water for us to drink.
In addition, biodiversity makes our planet more resilient to disturbances like wildfires and floods. In a forest with lots of biodiversity, some species may replace others that die or are killed by a natural event. This gives the whole ecosystem a better chance of recovering after the disturbance. Biodiversity also provides a source of food, fuel, medicines, and building materials.
We’re losing biodiversity faster than it can recover, and this is a problem for everyone. Extinctions are a part of nature, but the rate we’re currently experiencing is 1,000 times higher than what would be expected naturally. This is known as the sixth mass extinction and it’s caused by humans.
Air and water pollution from agriculture and industry, habitat loss, and climate change are just a few of the causes. In addition, humans moving into new areas and replacing native plants and animals with ones that are more common reduces biodiversity across the globe.
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