Biodiversity loss
The loss of biodiversity is the considerable decrease of the flora and fauna of an ecosystem due to the transformations carried out by humans in nature or to natural events that affect the habitability of a specific territory.
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Among the human activities that generate loss of biodiversity, we find lands that are converted into agricultural fields, cattle fields, roads and urban areas, destroying the habitat of thousands of species.
The world missed a critical deadline to safeguard biodiversity, UN report says - National Geographic
Many times the transformation of a territory is not complete, but there is a deterioration in the composition, structure and function of ecosystems that end up impacting animal and plant species.
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On May 22 of each year, the World Day for Biological Diversity is commemorated. The United Nations General Assembly instituted this date in 1994 in order to raise awareness among the population about the need to preserve biodiversity, whose richness and variety of ways of life make possible ecosystem services that satisfy our most pressing needs such as drinking water, food, shelter, medicines and clothing.
Indigenous peoples defend Earth's biodiversity—but they're in danger - National Geographic
The term biodiversity is commonly applied to describe the number, variety, and variability of living organisms. According to the 2014 Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, South America has 15,651 species.
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In turn, of these there are a total of 4,748 threatened species (407 species more than in 2011). The total number of extinct species is 35, 14 extinct in the wild, 749 critically endangered and 1,518 endangered. In addition, the total of Vulnerable is 2,481, 1,042 of almost threatened, 2,328 that do not have sufficient data and 7,444 in a state of least concern.
CNESMAG 84 - Biodiversity: BuildingResilence by CNES
Behind the loss of biodiversity is the human impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Some of the causes are:
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Global warming: the increase in the temperature of the planet causes that there are species that disappear or that they have to migrate to less warm areas in order to survive. A clear example is the polar bear, whose population is decreasing alarmingly due to the loss of ice in the polar regions.
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Deforestation, intensive agriculture and livestock: the transformation of ecosystems very rich in biodiversity, such as forests, into large agricultural and livestock areas destroy the natural home of thousands of animal and plant species.
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The overexploitation of resources: extracting resources at a speed greater than that of their replacement or regeneration, making life difficult. An example is overfishing or pirate fishing that depletes fish resources.
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The introduction of invasive species: that transmit new diseases to which indigenous species are not used to or even feed on them.
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Pollution: few living organisms can live in contaminated soil, water or air.
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In conclusion, we must take urgent action to protect and sustainably manage our resources and our planet's extraordinary biodiversity.
Earth Day 2015: Posters and Wallpaper by Jenny Mottar - NASA