The word “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life on Earth. It encompasses all living organisms—from blue whales and white pine trees to microscopic bacteria. Biodiversity is an essential part of ecosystems, providing the building blocks for natural processes such as carbon sequestration and soil fertility. In the long run, biodiversity is also crucial to human well-being: It provides the raw materials we need for food, water, clothing, shelter, and medicines.
Over the course of Earth’s history, biodiversity has ebbed and flowed. Five major mass extinction events have occurred, wiping out 99% of all species that have ever lived. But even in the absence of massive extinction events, biodiversity loss continues at an alarming rate. In fact, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified more than 41,000 species as endangered.
Biodiversity is essential to ecosystems because it increases the resilience of ecosystems to disease, climate change, and other environmental stresses. It also ensures that we have the raw materials we need for all our needs, from food and water to fuel and fibers.
Locally, biodiversity impacts daily life through ecosystem services like clean air and water, crop pollination, and soil fertility and stability. Protecting biodiversity requires a combination of local, regional, national, and international actions. This includes instituting fines and financial incentives to put an economic value on nature, and developed nations funneling resources to poorer regions to help them conserve their own biodiversity. For example, in a forest reserve like Hopetoun Falls in Australia, community members can be granted rights to hunt and graze on the land but must protect its ecosystem characteristics.