BIODIVERSITY Essays - Biodiversity, Ecology, Habitat, Free Essays

BIODIVERSITY Essays - Biodiversity, Ecology, Habitat, Free Essays BIODIVERSITY Running head: BIODIVERSITY 1 Biodiversity Name Institution BIODIVERSITY 2 Biodiversity Biodiversity refers to the range of existing animals, microorganisms and plants in the environment, the genes possessed and the ecosystems they occupy (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Biological diversity binds all organisms into an interdependent ecosystem where every species has a role in this web of life. While biodiversity remains significant to the survival of species, human activities are profoundly altering the earths ecosystems to earn a living. Transformation of lands for human use and destruction of rainforests has caused the extinction of species that result in ecological imbalance. Biodiversity is tremendously crucial to the health of ecosystems and the survival of species. It helps to keep the environment in a natural balance and provides a variety of foods and natural resources to the species. Rainforests constitute a major component of biodiversity; they protect water catchment areas, contribute to climate stability, serve as habitats for various organisms and aid in soil conservation by modulating hydrological water flow (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Most medical inventions to cure diseases are also made based on research into animal and plant genetics. Biodiversity is, therefore, central to life as it helps in climate regulation and aids to mitigate the intensity of floods. In this regard, plants utilize carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen which serves to reduce the intensity of global warming (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). The destruction of rainforest and its biological diversity will adversely affect the people living in the United States. Destruction of rainforests will expose soils to erosion and thus reduce the agricultural productivity of the soil leading to food shortage; water bodies will dry out hence resulting to aridity (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Destruction of rainforests implies that carbon dioxide will remain in the atmosphere that will alter the climate of the United States making the BIODIVERSITY 3 environment unbearable to humans (Bruce & Jonathan, 2000). Destruction of rainforests will also hinder most of the modern research into medicine. The hunter-gatherers will also be negatively affected as they depend on rainforests for survival. Overall, conservation of biodiversity is a pertinent issue especially at this time when concerns about preservation of the environment appear to be conflicting with pressing social and economic needs. BIODIVERSITY 4 Reference Bruce, A. & Jonathan, S. (2000). Precious heritage: The status of biodiversity in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press.