Biodiversity conservation for sustainable future

Abstract

Existence of huge diversity of life forms is key feature of the blue planet. All the life forms ranging from bacteria to plants or animals play important roles on the only celestial body known to harbor life in the universe. These life forms are in dynamic relationship with one another. It is impossible for any life form to survive on earth without the direct or indirect support of other organisms. Biodiversity is thus a key feature of the planet earth and important for sustaining the ecosystems on it. Biodiversity is also exploited for various purposes by humans and helps in improving the quality of our lives. In fact the existence of human civilization is directly linked to the biodiversity of the planet. An ecosystem or habitat with high biodiversity is rich on biological wealth and is more important in terms of economy and ecological inputs. Abundant biodiversity is also an indicator of high levels of natural resources and balance of physico-chemical and biological components. But there is a harsh reality which we are facing at present. The biodiversity loss is at its highest rate since the arrival of Homo sapiens on the blue planet. It is also believed that at present we are going through the sixth mass extinction of species on earth. The unfortunate part is that this mass extinction is scripted by humans. A species itself is resulting in wipeout of a large number of other life forms in the name of development and prosperity unknowing to the fact that it will result in unforeseen problems and lead to depletion of resources and endangering all life forms. Development in the present form is unsustainable and harmful for the life and soul of the planet. Tropical forests and tropical oceans are amongst the richest biodiversity zones on earth. It is estimated that two-thirds of the biodiversity of earth is present in tropical regions. But as per studies and available data, tropical forests are depleting at the rate of 0.8% per annum. Earth has lost 10% of tropical forests in last 25 years due to human related activities. The invaluable input of tropical forests just in the form of oxygen is estimated to be more than 25% and that of oceans as approximately 70% of the total (oxygen) produced on earth. Although tropical forests and oceans are resources for umpteen other natural products but a single input (oxy-gen) alone shows the immense importance of these habitats in survival of most of the life forms on earth. As per the estimates of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report in 2014, global biodiversity declined by 52% from 1970 to 2010. Almost half of the land mammals have lost more than 80% of their range in last century. It is also estimated that 83% of wild mammals have already been lost due to human activities and if the situation continues almost all of the wild mammals on land will be wiped out very soon. Huge loss in avian, reptilian and amphibian biodiversity is also clearly visible. The major reasons for decline in biodiversity are loss of habitat, anthropogenic activities such as release of dangerous synthetic pollutants, increase in concentration of green house gases resulting in global warming and climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, spread of diseases and invasive species due to human interference. The mass extinction of species, also termed as "biological annihilation" by the scientists, is far quicker than was expected earlier.