For billions of years, life on Earth has evolved. Species of plants, animals, insects, fungi and microorganisms live, grow, die and change together in a complex, interconnected web we describe as biodiversity.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is a term used to describe the variety and variability of life on our planet, and it can be measured in various ways. Biodiversity examples include “the totality of genes, species and ecosystems of a region. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization defines biodiversity as “the variability that exists among living organisms, within and between species, and the ecosystems of which they are part.” Simply put: biodiversity is the variety of all living things and their interactions. It changes over time as extinction occurs and new species evolve.
What are the 3 different types of biodiversity?
Scientists speak of three biodiversity examples: species diversity, genetic variability and ecosystem diversity, which interact with and influence each other. Change at one level can cause changes at other levels.
Species diversity is vast, ranging from microscopic organisms to giant redwood trees. In between are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, flowering plants, insects, fish and mammals. Each species has its own unique characteristics and can only reproduce with members of its own species. Some only exist in a specific area on our planet, and nowhere else. While we don’t know exactly how many species exist on Earth, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History estimates 10 million, of which only about 1.9 million have been named and cataloged. New species are still being discovered. In 2011, a new species of jellyfish was discovered and given the name Tamoya ohboya, because, according to the teacher credited with naming it, people said “oh boy” when they saw it.
Each species is comprised of individuals with their own sets of genetic material, which is responsible for its unique characteristics.
Genetic variability explains how variations passed from generation to generation determine how species adapt to their environments. Genetic variability can come from mutation, natural selection or genetic drift, which occurs randomly when some members of a species reproduce more than others, fixing some traits and eliminating others. Think of dogs bred for desired traits, or plants and flowers with adaptations that attract specific pollinators.
Genetic diversity expresses the total number of variations in a species. The greater the genetic diversity, the more likely a species will survive. If genetic diversity is low, unfavorable traits, such as inherited diseases, can spread within a population. An example of this is the Cavendish banana, the planet’s most consumed banana; the one you slice into your corn flakes. This breed, produced only by cloning, is facing extinction because it is susceptible to a fungal disease. Because it is cloned, all of the plants have the same genetic traits, placing them all at risk.
The third of the biodiversity examples is ecosystem diversity, which refers to the presence of different ecosystems (communities of organisms interacting in specific physical environments) in a certain place. It includes life on land and in bodies of water, from grasslands, tundras, deserts and rainforests to lakes, rivers and oceans. Human activity has changed and continues to change ecological communities, contributing to habitat loss through pollution, introduction of invasive species and exploitation of resources.
Explaining biodiversity loss
Biodiversity loss refers to a decline in number within a species, an ecosystem or Earth as a whole. It occurs when species become extinct or when there is a decrease in a specific area, either temporarily or permanently. A loss can result in the decline of the ecosystem, upsetting structures of other species, impacting mating and leading to further declines. Clearing trees from tropical rain forests leads to loss of shade and impacts temperature, moisture regulation, animal habitats and transport of nutrients for an entire ecosystem.
While natural biodiversity loss occurs with the change of seasons, wildfires, floods, volcanic eruptions and unseasonable weather patterns, these are most often temporary. Threats to biodiversity that are more severe and long-lasting are usually associated with more permanent changes in ecosystems driven by human activity and climate change.
Half of the world’s habitable land is used for livestock grazing. The Earth’s forests, wetlands and grasslands have declined by 60 percent since 1970. Animal populations such as whales, tigers and elephants are endangered and coral reefs are degrading. Scientists are concerned climate change is shifting weather patterns, which is impacting ecosystems through rising temperatures, warmer oceans and changes in rainfall, and changing species lifecycles faster than they can adapt.
A 2020 report from the conservation group the World Wildlife Fund indicates the Earth is in the midst of a mass extinction event, with species disappearing at rates up to 1,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Low biodiversity is a threat to healthy systems.
Why is biodiversity important to ecosystems?
Biodiversity helps support and sustain healthy ecosystems, and gives species the resilience to survive changes in and damage to their environments. Simply put, ecosystems require biodiversity to stay alive. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, biodiversity is “essential to the existence and proper functioning of all ecosystems.” It is fundamental to food, air and water security, the core benefits that humans derive from the environment.
Solutions to combatting biodiversity loss are crucial for securing the future of Earth and its inhabitants. It requires recognizing that every species, from the microscopic to the immense, is a vital part of the tapestry of life. It requires a worldwide shift in perspective from exploitation to stewardship in order to build sustainable practices for sustaining the Earth’s land and waterways. Preserving biodiversity examples will require strong conservation policies and legislation, empowering local communities, and leveraging technology and innovation – new tools to monitor and manage ecosystems and species.
One example of how technology is being harnessed to preserve biodiversity is the use of virtual twins. Digital replicas of wildlife habitats that allow scientists and policymakers to model and test potential interventions without harming the natural environment. Dassault Systemès developed a virtual twin on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to minimize environmental impacts of mining operations.
Innovation is key to recognizing and repairing biodiversity loss. Virtual twins, along with genetic engineering, drones and satellite imagery, can expand our capability to recognize the consequences of biodiversity loss, devise conservation strategies, and monitor and protect the water and land that is crucial to preserving biodiversity.
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Melissa Russell is an award-winning journalist and editor living in the Boston area. She has written for many news outlets as well as for websites, trade publications and other platforms.