Scope
In general, the harsher the environmental conditions in an ecosystem, the lower the biodiversity. Changes in the environment caused by human activity accelerate the impoverishment of biodiversity.
Biodiversity refers to “the variability of living organisms from any source, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; it includes diversity within each species, between species, and that of ecosystems”.
Biodiversity provides food security and constitutes a gene pool for biotechnology, especially in the field of agriculture and medicine, and promotes the development of ecotourism.
Currently, biologists admit that we are witnessing the first phases of the seventh mass extinction caused by human intervention. It is estimated that the current rate of extinction is between a hundred and a thousand times faster than it was when man first appeared. The disappearance of species is caused not only by an accelerated rate of extinction, but also by a decrease in the rate of emergence of new species as human activities degrade the natural environment. The conservation of biological diversity is "a common concern of humanity" and an integral part of the development process. Its objectives are “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources”.
The following are the main causes of biodiversity loss:
• The destruction of natural habitats to expand urban and agricultural areas and to obtain timber, minerals and other natural resources.
• The introduction of alien species into a habitat, whether intentionally or unintentionally which has an impact on the fauna and flora of the area, and as a result, they are reduced or become extinct.
• Pollution from industrial and agricultural products, which devastate the fauna and flora, especially those in fresh water.
• Global warming, which is seen as a threat to biological diversity, and will become increasingly important in the future.
keywords
Ecosystems Biodiversity Fauna Taxonomy Invasive Species Destruction of Habitats Overexploitation of Natural Resources Pollution Global Warming Conservation of Natural Spaces Bioremediation