Biodiversity Loss

also called biological diversity, is the variety of life found in a place on Earth or, often, the total variety of life on Earth. The word “biodiversity” comes from the Greek word “Bios” meaning life and the Latin word “Diversitas” meaning variety or difference.

Measuring biodiversity is a challenging task due to its vast variety, from microorganisms to large mammals. There are several methods to measure biodiversity, and one of the easiest ways is to assess the number of species in an area. Scientists call this measurement species richness. If you join a local biodiversity group, you can participate in citizen science projects and contribute as well to assess the biodiversity in your area (e.g. Friends of Merlin Woods). Biodiversity can be measured by examining counts of species and comparing it in various places

Biodiversity is quite complex and includes the genetic variety within each species, as well as a range of ecosystems and habitats that species create and where species live, respectively.

Research has found that ecosystems with greater biodiversity are more resistant to disturbances such as climate change, landslides, temperature changes, and even wildfires. Because species, biodiversity and ecosystems are one of the three pillars of sustainable development, it is crucial to improve our relationship with nature, in order to find a balance and restore and preserve its resources.

The Living Planet Index reports the average decline in animal population sizes since 1970.

This does not tell us the:

• Number of species lost;

• Number of populations or individuals that have been lost;

• Number or percentage of species or populations that are declining;

• Number of species extinct.

Since 1970, the size of animal populations for which data is available have declined by 69%, on average (Cardinale et al., 2012). The decline depends on the species population in question, as some species are more vulnerable than others. Conservation efforts are also contributing to populations increasing in size in different areas of the world.

Additional resources

Websites

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

National Parks & Wildlife Service

National Biodiversity Data Centre

Further readings

Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. Cardinale et al., 2012. Nature. Doi: 10.1038/nature11148

Future temperature extremes threaten land vertebrates. Murali et al., 200. Nature. Doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05606-z

Future temperature extremes threaten land vertebrates. Murali et al., 2023. Nature. Doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05606-z

Proactive conservation to prevent habitat losses to agricultural expansion. Williams et al., 2020. Nature Sustainability. DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00656-5

Local groups

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofMerlinWoods/

https://ien.ie/