What is Biodiversity (2)

8/2/2019 What is Biodiversity (2)

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What is biodiversity?Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term we use to describe the variety oflife on Earth. It refers to the wide variety of ecosystems and living organisms:animals, plants, their habitats and their genes.

Biodiversity is extremely complex, dynamic and varied like no other feature ofthe Earth. Its innumerable plants, animals and microbes physically andchemically unite the atmosphere (the mixture of gases around the Earth),geosphere (the solid part of the Earth), and hydrosphere (the Earth's water, iceand water vapor) into one environmental system which makes it possible formillions of species, including people, to exist.

Source: http://www.iucn.org/what/tpas/biodiversity

The understanding of the importance of biodiversity has developed in the 20years since the report of the World Commission on Environment andDevelopment (Brundtland Commission). There is increased recognition that

people are part of, not separate from, the ecosystems in which they live, andare affected by changes in ecosystems, populations of species and geneticchanges. Along with human health and wealth, human security and culture arestrongly affected by changes in biodiversity, and associated impacts onecosystem services. As the basis for all ecosystem services, and the foundationfor truly sustainable development, biodiversity plays fundamental roles inmaintaining and enhancing the well-being of the worlds more than 6.7 billionpeople, rich and poor, rural and urban alike. Biodiversity comprises much of therenewable natural capital on which livelihoods and developmentare grounded. However, ongoing, and in many cases, accelerating declines andlosses in biodiversity

over the past 20 years have decreased the capacity of many ecosystems toprovide services, and havehad profound negative impacts on opportunities for sustainable developmentaround the planet. Theseimpacts are particularly pronounced in the developing world, in large part due tothe patterns of consumption and trade in the industrial world, which themselvesare not sustainable.

The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as

biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the

enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on theplanet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically

diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies

attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach. Almost all cultures

have in some way or form recognized the importance that nature, and its
http://www.iucn.org/what/tpas/biodiversityhttp://www.iucn.org/what/tpas/biodiversity


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biological diversity has had upon them and the need to maintain it. Yet, power,

greed and politics have affected the precarious balance.

9 articles on Biodiversity and 2 related issues:

Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares?

Last updated Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

Why is Biodiversity important? Does it reallymatter if there arent so many species?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity

where each species, no matter how small,all have an important role to play.

For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of

crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life

forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a

variety of disasters.

And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity

in wildlife.

Loss Of Biodiversity And Extinctions

Last updated Monday, October 04, 2010.

It has long been feared that human activity

is causing massive extinctions. Despite

increased efforts at conservation, it has not

been enough and biodiversity losses

continue. The costs associated with

deteriorating or vanishing ecosystems will

be high. However, sustainable development and consumption would help

avert ecological problems.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-careshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctionshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-careshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions


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Nature And Animal Conservation

Last updated Saturday, February 13, 2010.

Preserving species and their habitats isimportant for ecosystems to self-sustain

themselves.

Yet, the pressures to destroy habitat for

logging, illegal hunting, and other

challenges are making conservation a struggle.

Climate Change Affects BiodiversityLast updated Tuesday, August 10, 2010.

Rapid global warming can affect an

ecosystems chances to adapt naturally.

The Arctic is very sensitive to climate

change and already seeing lots of changes.

Ocean biodiversity is already being affectedas are other parts of the ecosystem.

Coral Reefs

Last updated Sunday, January 16, 2011.

One type of ecosystem that perhaps is neglected

more than any other is perhaps also the richest in

biodiversitythe coral reefs.Coral reefs are useful to

the environment and to people in a number of ways.

However, all around the world, much of the worlds

marine biodiversity face threats from human and

activities as well as natural. It is feared that very

soon, many reefs could die off.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/177/nature-and-animal-conservationhttp://www.globalissues.org/article/172/climate-change-affects-biodiversityhttp://www.globalissues.org/article/173/coral-reefshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/177/nature-and-animal-conservationhttp://www.globalissues.org/article/172/climate-change-affects-biodiversityhttp://www.globalissues.org/article/173/coral-reefs


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Addressing Biodiversity Loss

Posted Sunday, June 06, 2010.

At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and

Development (the Earth Summit), the Convention on

Biological Diversity (CBD) was born. 192 countries,

plus the EU, are now Parties to that convention. In

April 2002, the Parties to the Convention committed

to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity loss by

2010.

Perhaps predictably, that did not happen. Despite numerous successful

conservations measures supporting biodiversity, the 2010 biodiversity targethas not been met at the global level. This page provides an overview on how

the attempts to prevent biodiversity loss is progressing.

Read Addressing Biodiversity Loss to learn more.Biosafety Protocol 1999

Last updated Monday, March 19, 2001.

The February 1999 Biodiversity Protocol meeting in Colombia broke downbecause USA, not even a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity,

to which the protocol is meant to be part of, and five other countries of the

"Miami Group" felt that their business interests were threatened. The safety

concerns were unfortunately overridden by trade concerns. Some

technological advances, especially in genetically engineered food, have been

very fast paced and products are being pushed into the market place without

having been proven safe. All over the world, concerned citizens and

governments have been trying to take precautionary measures. However,

1999 was not a successful year in that respect.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/787/addressing-biodiversity-losshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/787/addressing-biodiversity-losshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/174/biosafety-protocol-1999http://www.globalissues.org/article/787/addressing-biodiversity-losshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/787/addressing-biodiversity-losshttp://www.globalissues.org/article/174/biosafety-protocol-1999


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Biosafety Protocol 2000

Last updated Sunday, July 01, 2001.

A Biosafety Protocol meeting was hosted in Montreal, Canada January 24 to

January 28. Compared to the fiasco of the previous year, this time, there had

been a somewhat successful treaty to regulate the international transport

and release of genetically modified organisms to protect natural biological

diversity. However, there were a number of important and serious

weaknesses too.

Source:http://www.globalissues.org

Massive Extinctions From Human Activity

Despite knowing about biodiversitys importance for a long time, human activity

has been causing massive extinctions. As the Environment New Service, reported

back in August 1999 the current extinction rate is now approaching 1,000 times

the background rate and may climb to 10,000 times the background rate during

the next century, if present trends continue [resulting in] a loss that would easily

equal those of past extinctions.

A major report, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment released in March 2005

highlighted a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on

Earthwith some 10-30% of the mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened

with extinction, due to human actions. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

added that Earth is unable to keep up in the struggle to regenerate from the

demands we place on it.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that many

species are threatened with extinction. In addition,

75% of genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost
http://www.globalissues.org/article/175/biosafety-protocol-2000http://www.globalissues.org/http://www.globalissues.org/article/175/biosafety-protocol-2000http://www.globalissues.org/


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75% of the worlds fisheries are fully or over exploited

Up to 70% of the worlds known species risk extinction if the global

temperatures rise by more than 3.5C

1/3rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with

extinction Every second a parcel of rainforest the size of a football field disappears

Over 350 million people suffer from severe water scarcity

Is this the kind of world we want, it asks? After all our lives are inextricably

linked with biodiversity and ultimately its protection is essential for our very

survival

Most indicators of the state of biodiversity show negative trends, with nosignificant reduction in the rate of decline:


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Summary of available biodiversity indicators.Graphs compiled by Secretariat of

the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010)Source:www.globalissues.org.article 171


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Coastal biodiversity:

The deep sea is increasingly recognized as a major reservoir of biodiversity,comparable to the biodiversity associated with tropical rain forests andshallow-water coral reefs. The wealth of diverse deepsea habitatshydrothermal vents, cold seeps, seamounts, submarine canyons, abyssalplains, oceanic trenches and recently discovered asphalt volcanoes containa vast array of unique ecosystems and endemic species. Although themagnitude of deep-sea diversity is not yet understood (only 0.0001 per centof the deep seabed has been subject to biological investigations), it has been

estimated that the number of species inhabiting the deep sea may be as highas 10 million. It is believed that the deep seabed supports more species thanall other marine environments. Marinebiodiversity and ecosystems are threatened by pollution, shipping, militaryactivities and climate change, but today fishing presents the greatest threat.The emergence of new fishing technologies and markets for deep-sea fishproducts has enabled fishing vessels to begin exploiting these diverse, butpoorly understood deep-sea ecosystems.The greatest threat to biodiversity in the deep sea is bottom trawling. Thistype of high seas fishing is most damaging to seamounts and the coldwatercorals they sustain. These habitats are home for several commercial bottom-

dwelling fish species. Seamounts are also important spawning and feedinggrounds for species, such as marine mammals, sharks and tuna, which makethem very attractive fishing grounds. The long life cycles and slow sexualmaturation of deep-sea fish make the particularly vulnerable to large-scalefishing activities. The lack of data on deep-sea ecosystems and associatedbiodiversity makes it difficult to predict and control the impacts of humanactivities, but current levels of bottom trawling on the high seas is unlikely tobe sustainable, and may even be unsustainable at greatly reduced levels.


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Effective management measures for deep-sea fisheries and biodiversity needto be established. Conservation of marine ecosystems has recently extendedto the deep sea with the designation in 2003 of the Juan de Fuca Ridgesystem and associated Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents (2 250 metres deep and250 kilometres south of Vancouver Island, Canada) as a marine protected

area. There are several mechanisms to conserve deep seas, such as the 1982UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1995 UN Fish StocksAgreement (UNFSA), International Seabed Authority (ISA), 1992 Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD) and the 1973 Convention on Trade in EndangeredSpecies (CITES). However, these mechanisms need more effectiveimplementation if deep-sea ecosystems are to be conserved and sustainablyused.

Marine and Coastal Biodiversity of Pakistan

Pakistan has a coastline that stretches to over 1050 km, (990 Km measured asa straight line) along the Arabian Sea. The coast of Pakistan consists of sandybeaches that are interrupted by rocky protruding points. The Indus deltalocated at the head of the Arabian Sea has been found changing its fluvialcharacteristics due to damming upstream, which has reduced river bornesediments. This has resulted in drying up of the estuaries and has induced sea

encroachment further inland.

The information on taxonomic assessment of marine fauna and flora is notreadily available. According to the reports available, gastropods dominate therocky shore fauna followed by decapods crustaceans and polycheate worms. Alist of the fauna of the beaches of Pakistan was compiled the ZoologicalSurvey of Pakistan in 1973. There are occurrences of approximately twenty-one intertidal seaweeds. Fifteen green seaweeds and six are brown redmarine macro algae found from sandy shores.

Almost 800 species of marine fish have been recorded in Pakistans coastalwaters; however, no analysis of their population status and distributionalrange is available. Large pelagics such as the tuna are common in the watersof Baluchistan. The blind Indus dolphin (Platanista minor) is a resident of theIndus River and estuary. Palla fish (Tenalosa ilisha), which is considered adelicacy, is an anadromous fish that swims up the Indus River to breed.


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Major fishing grounds along the coast of Pakistan extend from the Sindh coaststretching from Hub River to the Indian border and Baluchistan coast west ofKarachi to the Iranian border. Pakistan is a net exporter of shrimps, lobsters,crabs, mollusks, fish and fishing products. The exports of fish and fisheryproduct fetched US$ 156.254 million (2003-2004). The commercially

important marine fisheries resources of Pakistan are composed of about 350different species. Some 240 are demersal fish, 50 are small pelagics, 10 aremedium sized pelagics and 18 are large pelagics fish in addition, there are 21species of shrimp, 12 of squid/ cuttlefish/ octopus and five species oflobsters.

In addition, biomass of mesopelagic fish in Pakistan offshore waters isestimated to be about 10 million metric tons, however, technology for itsharvesting and utilization has not yet been developed. The Pakistan fish andfishery related sector engages one percent of the Pakistans population i.e.

1.8 Million. The fishery sector generates one percent of Pakistan GDP earningthrough export of fishery products overseas.

According to the economic survey for 2003-04 fishery share in the countrysGDP though very small contributes substantially to the national incomethrough export earnings. During the period of July March 2003-04, 101,256 mtons valued at Rupees 7.9 billion fish and fishery products were exported toJapan, USA, UK, Germany, Middle East, Sri Lanka, China etc. The totallandings for small pelagics, large pelagics, demersal fish and shellfish in 2003accounted for 566,203 m tons.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelysolivacea) are both found in Pakistan. Until recently, they wereindiscriminately killed on the Makran coast. Eight species of oysters occur inPakistan. Squid are abundant, but surprisingly echinoderm populations arevery small. Sandy stretches from Karachi (Sindh Coast) to Gadani and up toJiwani (Baluchistan Coast) are favorite nesting habitats of the marine turtles.Both the green turtles and the Olive Ridley have been declared asendangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature andNatural Resources (IUCN). The Sindh Wildlife Management and the WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF) have initiated a protection and research

program to conserve the turtles, their eggs and hatchling. The internationalrequirement for protection of turtles has been fulfilled by Pakistan as theshrimp trawlers are required by law to use turtle excluding devices (TED) onthe shrimp trawl nets.

The mangrove ecosystems are rich in biodiversity. Eight mangrove species arereported along the coast of Pakistan. Avicennia marina is the most dominantspecies, while Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata occurs in localized


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patches. Other species have been reported to have become extinct from thedelta due to human activities coupled with adverse physical andenvironmental conditions. Over 48 species of macro fauna have beenreported from mangrove forests along the coast of Pakistan. The faunaconsist of several species of crabs, polychaetes, molluscs etc.

Approximately 56 Species of birds have been reported from the Sindh coastalwaters. The most common are Gullbilled Tern, Oystercatcher, Sand Plover,Golden Plover, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew,Whimbrel etc. Amongst the invertebrates, crustaceans dominate; theyinclude crabs, isopods, carides, juveniles of penaeid shrimps, squilla,amphipods, sergestids, barnacles, etc. Many other animals live on trunk androots of mangrove which serves as a substrate. Information on and meiofaunaof the region is sparse. Certain species of macro fauna are good indicators ofenvironmental health. Baseline information on species and numbers has yet

to be established.

Corals have recently been discovered along the coast of Baluchistan (Jewani,and Astola Island). Coral communities although not widespread, appear inpatches at Astola Island and Gwadar, where a vast fossilized coral reef ispresent. Soft coral such as seafan (Gorgonia sp), and brain coral are alsopresent south of Astola Island. A variety of coelenterates and bryozoanscolonies are also found in most parts of the Baluchistan coast.

Threats to Biodiversity

The main causes of biodiversity loss include activities resulting in the loss anddegradation of habitats, over-exploitation of plant and animal species,agricultural intensification, pollution, invasion by introduced species andclimate change. There has been no significant change in the threats tobiodiversity and an overview of the causes as reported in the BiodiversityAction Plan (2000).

Over grazing and deforestation in all terrestrial biomes of the country ismajor threat to the loss of biodiversity. The main driving forces are highpopulation growth rate, increasing poverty and wide gap between the supply


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and demand of the natural resources. The population pressure has increasedon the marginal lands for subsistence agriculture. Faulty agriculturalpractices result in loss of soil due to wind erosion and water erosion. Whenthe land looses fertility, new lands are broken for agriculture and so theprocess continues unabated.

The diversion of water for irrigation, and the drainage of wetlands, is majorcauses of wetland habitat degradation in Pakistan. The mean quantity ofwater entering the Indus Basin in Pakistan is 137.2 million acre-feet (MAF), ofwhich 104 MAF are diverted for canal irrigation. Thus, three-quarters of thewater entering the Indus Basin is now diverted and only a quarter reaches theIndus Delta and the Arabian Sea.

Illegal Hunting. Game bird and animal species are experiencing populationdeclines due to illegal hunting for sport and meat. Some species areruthlessly persecuted for their depredations on livestock or agriculturalcrops.

Exploitation of Fishery Resource. Marine fisheries and shrimp catches havesteadily declined in the country (Mallon 1991). The number of boats has risenrapidly; there is a tendency to fish in shallower waters; and there is anincreased proportion of young shrimp in the catch (Amjad in BiodiversityAction Plan, 2000). The introduction of new technology and bigger fishingtrawlers has resulted in overexploiting of the fishery resource. However, theincidental take of marine turtles by commercial shrimp trawlers has declineddue to the use of turtle excluding devices.

Medicinal Plants are indiscriminately harvested from the wild. There areabout 40,00050,000 practitioner of Greco-Arabic and Ayurvedic medicine inthe country. Over 200 plant species are used in traditional and folk-medicines. In addition, there is demand for medicinal plants bymanufacturers of herbal medicines in the country and abroad. In recentyears, there has been a consistent growth in the demand for plant-baseddrugs and products through the world. This has given rise to unsustainablecollection and loss of biodiversity and causing scarcity of a number ofvaluable medicinal plant species.

HYVs. Crop genetic diversity in the county is also dropping and the principalreason is the development and use of high-yield varieties (HYVs). This geneticerosion is well pronounced in commonly cultivated crops, such as wheat, rice,sorghum, sugarcane and vegetables.

Pollution. Pollution is a growing problem in the country and heavy use of agrochemicals has been a major cause for decline in the populations of useful


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fauna and flora. Marine pollution, particularly from oil spills has occasionallycontaminated many estuaries and the sea. Untreated sewage is disposed offinto irrigation systems, streams and rivers in and around large cities. Thedischarge of sewage and industrial effluent into aquatic and marineecosystems is rapidly growing. The organic load of sewage depletes oxygen

levels in water and indirectly reduces the diversity of animal and plant life.Lahore alone discharges 240 million gallons of sewage per day mainly into theriver Ravi. The resultant loss of fish and contamination of potential drinkingwater has considerable economic and health impacts. Industrial pollution isparticularly severe in the industrial centre of Karachi with a population ofover 12 million people. About 80% of the total wastewater remains untreatedand is discharged into the sea through sewers and rivers, mainly the Lyari andMalir. Many creeks and coastal waters in the Karachi area exhibiteutrophication due to high levels of organic pollution.

Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans

The Biodiversity Action Plan of Pakistan was completed in the year 2000 andit provides an assessment of the status and trend of the nations biodiversity,outlines strategic goals and objectives, and identifies a plan of action thatincludes coordination arrangements and implementation measures. TheBiodiversity Action Plan is made up of 13 components which correspond tospecific Articles of the CBD: planning and policies; legislation; identificationand monitoring; in-situ conservation; ex-situ conservation; sustainable use;

incentive measures; research and training; public education and awareness;environmental impact assessment; access issues; exchange of information;and financial resources. For each component, the issues relevant to Pakistanhave been identified and a list of objectives and corresponding actionsrecommended. The Plan called for greater collaboration between governmentagencies, local communities and NGOs, and for them to work together aspartners in biodiversity conservation.

The conservation concerns were first addressed in the National ConservationStrategy (NCS) of Pakistan that was approved in March 1992. The NCS became

the de facto policy of the country for conservation and sustainabledevelopment. After the NCS process, a need was felt for provincialconservation strategies and this led to formulation of provincial and a fewdistrict conservation strategies and integrated district development plans.The Biodiversity Action Plan process and recommendations greatlyinfluenced the conservation strategies and district development plans thatwere developed after 2000.


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What is Biodiversity (2)