Define biodiversity and list the causes the loss of biodiversity.
Dear Student,
Biodiversity is the term describing the variety of life on earth, including plants and animals. It reflects the number, variability and variety of living organisms and how these change from one location to another over a period of time.
Loss of biodiversity in a region may lead to:
a) decline in plant production
b) lowered resistance to environmental perturbations such as drought
c) increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as plant productivity, water use, and pest and disease cycles.
Biodiversity is the term describing the variety of life on earth, including plants and animals. It reflects the number, variability and variety of living organisms and how these change from one location to another over a period of time.
Loss of biodiversity in a region may lead to:
a) decline in plant production
b) lowered resistance to environmental perturbations such as drought
c) increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as plant productivity, water use, and pest and disease cycles.
The four major causes for loss of Biodiversity is described as’ The Evil Quartet’.
They are:
They are:
1. Over-exploitation
2. Co-extinction
3. Habit loss and Fragmentation
4. Invasion of Alien species
Biodiversity and its conservation are now vital environmental issues of international concern as more and more people around the world begin to realise the critical importance of biodiversity for our survival and well- being on this planet.
Regards
Regards