By Tshreen B.

What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is the number of different species within an area and also the genetic variation that exists within each species. It also includes the range of habitats and communities that are present in an area

Why is it important? Captures and stores energy Produce organic material Decompose organic material Cycles water and nutrients Controls erosions or pests Help regulate climate and atmospheric gases

major ways biodiversity helps humans Plants absorb greenhouse gases and help stop global warming. It is easier for biodiverse ecosystems to recover from natural disasters. Healthy biodiversity of species can provide a variety of food (like meat and produce). Many of our medicinal drugs come from plants. All of our wood products come from nature. We can learn more about our earth by observing a diverse ecosystem. Many recreational areas benefit from a healthy ecosystem, which promotes tourism. Biodiversity is beautiful and should be enjoyed.

The major threats Increasing human populations out of balance with the scale of natural resources Heavy consumption and excessive exploitation of natural resources Lack of sufficient knowledge and understanding of species and ecosystems Destruction of ecosystems and habitats due to increased land use, urbanization, and pollution Underestimating the value of nature and its resources Global climate change Ecological disasters such as large-scale fires and floods

What can we do Put out bird feeders, bird bathes, and houses. Put up a bat house. Be careful not to buy coral, ivory, or tortoise shell products. They come from endangered species. You can volunteer at a nature center, park, or a zoo. Add mulch to soil to prevent erosion. Composting can add nutrients to your soil. Buy organic produce. Don’t use pesticides; they can kill plants and animals. Stop junk mail to save paper and protect our forests. When renovating your house, buy FSC approved wood, because it is harvested in ways that don’t harm the forests. Use cloth napkins. Recycle old newspaper and buy recycled paper products. Use since it saves paper. You should always use eco-friendly cleaning products.

facts Though the exact number is impossible to determine, an unprecedented mass extinction of life on Earth is occurring. Scientists estimate that between 150 and 200 species of life become extinct every 24 hours. There have always been periods of extinction in the planet's history, but this episode of species extinction is greater than anything the world has experienced for the past 65 million years-the greatest rate of extinction since the vanishing of the dinosaurs. 60 %of the plant species endemic to the Galapagos Islands are threatened with extinction, as are 75 % of the endemic plant species of the Canary Islands. If we continue with our unsustainable patterns of activity, one-fifth of all species could become extinct in the next two decades. This mass extinction is due, in large measure, to humankind's unsustainable methods of production and consumption. This mass extinction is due, in large measure, to humankind's unsustainable methods of production and consumption.

facts More than 60 % of the world's people depend directly on plants for their medicines. About 12 % of mammal species and 11 %of bird species were classified as threatened in Nearly every animal species may be host to several specialized parasitic species, only a small fraction of which have been described. According to the World Resources Institute, the biggest cause of extinction is loss of habitat. There are as many as 100 million species on Earth, of which only 1.7 million have been identified.

Why is biodiversity important economically Food resources: agriculture, livestock, fish and seafood Biomedical research: coral reefs are home to thousands of species that may be developed into pharmaceuticals to maintain human health and to treat and cure disease Industry: textiles, building materials, cosmetics. Tourism and recreation: Beaches, forests, parks.