Biodiversity: bee kind to nature!
Have you noticed that there are fewer and fewer insects on the front of your car after a long drive? Or maybe you don’t hear as many birds in the morning as you used to? Perhaps that area at the edge of town that used to be untouched woods is now a neighborhood of new homes? In the world of sustainability, climate change gets a lot of attention, and rightfully so.
However, there is another major, related issue that life on our planet is facing and once again, it is being driven by human activity.
However, there is another major, related issue that life on our planet is facing and once again, it is being driven by human activity.
This issue is biodiversity loss.
We are currently in the middle of our planet’s sixth mass extinction with over 1 million species threatened with extinction. For context, the natural rate of extinction is about 1 species per 1 million species per year. Scientists have estimated that we are currently losing species at a rate 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the natural rate. Before we get into biodiversity loss and what we can do to limit it, let’s first talk about what biodiversity is and why it’s so important.
What is biodiversity?
As the name suggests, biodiversity is the variety and variability of all life on earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. It helps to keep ecosystems functioning and in balance and plays a crucial role in sustaining the fundamental processes necessary for life on our planet. For many of us, we also place intrinsic value on nature and biodiversity themselves.
Why is biodiversity so important?
Pollination
Between 75% - 95% of all flowering plants rely on pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds, and other insects to pollinate them. For us humans, the vast majority of the plants that we eat come from flowering plants. In fact, it’s estimated that we rely on pollinators for ¾ of the world’s crops. This includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, coffee, chocolate, and over 1200 other crops! |
Soil Health
The health of soil is heavily reliant on microorganisms and invertebrates that break down dead plants and animals, releasing nutrients that plants need to help them grow. We in turn get those nutrients through the food we eat. The healthier and more biodiverse the soil, the more nutrients get released, the more nutrient-dense our food! |
Resilience
More biodiverse ecosystems are much more resilient to natural disasters such as drought, floods, and wildfires. For example, trees, wild grasslands, and wetlands naturally slow water and help the soil to absorb rainfall. This means that when they’re removed or dried out, it increases flooding. Mangrove forests and coral reefs are natural defenses for coastlines as they help to protect them from storms and waves. Plants also crucially help in the fight against climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. |
Human Health
As trail runners, we know the importance that biodiverse landscapes have for our mental and physical health. Besides the intrinsic value of nature and biodiversity, studies have shown that spending time in nature and even having parks and trees in cities leads to fewer hospital admissions, lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and overall better public health. |
Measures of species diversity
To assess biodiversity, different kinds of species diversity are measured. The diversity of species in a biological community isn’t just determined by the number of species present but by their abundance as well. Two areas might be equal in terms of the number of different species present, but one might have more of each species (thus greater abundance).
Biodiversity in danger
As mentioned, our planet is currently in the middle of our 6th mass extinction. To give us an idea of what a huge deal this is, the last mass extinction was 66 million years ago and saw the extinction of the T. Rex! Rather than a giant asteroid, the current mass extinction event is being caused by us and our activities on this planet.
To assess biodiversity, different kinds of species diversity are measured. The diversity of species in a biological community isn’t just determined by the number of species present but by their abundance as well. Two areas might be equal in terms of the number of different species present, but one might have more of each species (thus greater abundance).
Biodiversity in danger
As mentioned, our planet is currently in the middle of our 6th mass extinction. To give us an idea of what a huge deal this is, the last mass extinction was 66 million years ago and saw the extinction of the T. Rex! Rather than a giant asteroid, the current mass extinction event is being caused by us and our activities on this planet.
So what exactly is causing so much biodiversity loss?
There are five main threats to life on our planet:
- Climate change
- Land use change
- Species exploitation
- Pollution, and
- Invasive species
1 - Climate Change
Climate change drives biodiversity loss in several ways. First, higher temperatures force both plants and animals to shift their range, with some moving to higher latitudes or elevations. In the oceans, higher sea temperatures are causing coral bleaching and mass die-offs of entire coral ecosystems. Climate change also disrupts the cues that set off seasonal events, extending warm periods, intensifying natural disasters, and exacerbating biodiversity loss. It’s estimated that climate-change-induced increases in temperature threaten up to 1 in 6 species globally!
Climate change drives biodiversity loss in several ways. First, higher temperatures force both plants and animals to shift their range, with some moving to higher latitudes or elevations. In the oceans, higher sea temperatures are causing coral bleaching and mass die-offs of entire coral ecosystems. Climate change also disrupts the cues that set off seasonal events, extending warm periods, intensifying natural disasters, and exacerbating biodiversity loss. It’s estimated that climate-change-induced increases in temperature threaten up to 1 in 6 species globally!
This image shows the aftermath of coral bleaching. What was once a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem is now a dead wasteland.
2 - Land Use
As our planet’s population increases and our culture of overconsumption intensifies, we change the land more and more for our own uses. Land use change, or the process by which our activities change the natural landscape, is causing mass biodiversity loss in nearly every ecosystem on Earth. It causes habitat loss and degradation for countless species of flora and fauna across the globe. The main culprit is agriculture, responsible for a whopping 80% of global deforestation. Clearing land to grow crops and raise livestock causes habitat loss for diverse species and pushes them into ever smaller, more concentrated areas, where they are forced to compete for limited resources. The vast majority of this agricultural land is then used to grow crops to feed animals meant for human consumption. An astonishing 94% of all non-human mammal biomass (the weight of all living mammals) is livestock! About 77% of global soy production is for livestock, 13% for soybean oil, while only 7% is used directly for human food products such as tofu.
The way we treat the land and grow our food also affects the nutrient level of our crops. Producing crops that are bigger and bigger often comes at a cost - while the yield might be higher, the nutrient level stays the same, diminishing the concentration of micronutrients. Conventional agricultural practices also deplete soils of nutrients and greatly affect soil fertility, leading to a decline in micronutrients of our crops over time.
As our planet’s population increases and our culture of overconsumption intensifies, we change the land more and more for our own uses. Land use change, or the process by which our activities change the natural landscape, is causing mass biodiversity loss in nearly every ecosystem on Earth. It causes habitat loss and degradation for countless species of flora and fauna across the globe. The main culprit is agriculture, responsible for a whopping 80% of global deforestation. Clearing land to grow crops and raise livestock causes habitat loss for diverse species and pushes them into ever smaller, more concentrated areas, where they are forced to compete for limited resources. The vast majority of this agricultural land is then used to grow crops to feed animals meant for human consumption. An astonishing 94% of all non-human mammal biomass (the weight of all living mammals) is livestock! About 77% of global soy production is for livestock, 13% for soybean oil, while only 7% is used directly for human food products such as tofu.
The way we treat the land and grow our food also affects the nutrient level of our crops. Producing crops that are bigger and bigger often comes at a cost - while the yield might be higher, the nutrient level stays the same, diminishing the concentration of micronutrients. Conventional agricultural practices also deplete soils of nutrients and greatly affect soil fertility, leading to a decline in micronutrients of our crops over time.
Here we see the distribution of global soy production (by weight). We see that the vast majority is used for animal feed and just ⅕ is for human consumption.
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This graph shows us that the vast majority (between 70% and 80%) of tropical deforestation is driven by agriculture and tree plantations, mainly for beef production.
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3 - Species Exploitation
All life on our planet exists thanks to a delicate balance and web of interdependence. When we throw off this balance through species exploitation, we disrupt the entire system, with consequences that ripple through ecosystems. Today, the most devastating example of species exploitation is perhaps overfishing, whereby we are catching more fish than can be naturally replaced through reproduction. We are overfishing entire species to the brink of extinction, some directly and some indirectly through bycatch (the unintentional capture of non-target species, such as marine animals or birds). This has a ripple effect and is leading to the collapse of entire marine ecosystems, which greatly hampers the ocean’s ability to store carbon. We don’t just exploit species at sea - land plants and animals are exploited through hunting, logging, and the illegal pet trade.
Species exploitation can also affect human health. In the late 18th century, wolves were hunted to extinction in Ireland to protect livestock. Without these predators, the deer population has proliferated. These deer have overgrazed and damaged forests, but they are also the primary carriers of the ticks that carry Lyme disease. This can be especially dangerous for trail runners who spend a lot of time in wooded areas!
All life on our planet exists thanks to a delicate balance and web of interdependence. When we throw off this balance through species exploitation, we disrupt the entire system, with consequences that ripple through ecosystems. Today, the most devastating example of species exploitation is perhaps overfishing, whereby we are catching more fish than can be naturally replaced through reproduction. We are overfishing entire species to the brink of extinction, some directly and some indirectly through bycatch (the unintentional capture of non-target species, such as marine animals or birds). This has a ripple effect and is leading to the collapse of entire marine ecosystems, which greatly hampers the ocean’s ability to store carbon. We don’t just exploit species at sea - land plants and animals are exploited through hunting, logging, and the illegal pet trade.
Species exploitation can also affect human health. In the late 18th century, wolves were hunted to extinction in Ireland to protect livestock. Without these predators, the deer population has proliferated. These deer have overgrazed and damaged forests, but they are also the primary carriers of the ticks that carry Lyme disease. This can be especially dangerous for trail runners who spend a lot of time in wooded areas!
This image shows the incredible amount of fish that are caught by just one commercial fishing net. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization determined that there were an estimated 4.1 million commercial fishing vessels in 2020.
4 - Pollution
The most visible threat to biodiversity for us trail runners is probably pollution. Plastic pollution is especially damaging to plants and animals. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Many animals, especially marine animals and sea birds, mistake bits of plastic for food. Enough of these bits of plastic and soon their stomachs are full of it, eventually killing them.
However, it’s not just the physical bits of trash that count when we talk about pollution. For example, air pollutants such as sulfur can result in elevated acidity levels in lakes and streams, causing harm to trees and forest soils, while nitrogen pollution (caused by the burning of fossil fuels and the use of synthetic fertilizers) can lead to the overgrowth of weed species, damaging more delicate plants and disrupting ecosystems.
Pesticides contaminate the soil, water, and air, and are incredibly harmful to important insects such as pollinators. And they don’t just affect the area where they’re applied: Numerous studies have documented pesticide exposure of non-targeted organisms, including in those within nature conservation areas. Insect diversity, abundance, and biomass is declining globally, which in turn affects insect-eating birds and has a cascading effect on biodiversity.
The most visible threat to biodiversity for us trail runners is probably pollution. Plastic pollution is especially damaging to plants and animals. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Many animals, especially marine animals and sea birds, mistake bits of plastic for food. Enough of these bits of plastic and soon their stomachs are full of it, eventually killing them.
However, it’s not just the physical bits of trash that count when we talk about pollution. For example, air pollutants such as sulfur can result in elevated acidity levels in lakes and streams, causing harm to trees and forest soils, while nitrogen pollution (caused by the burning of fossil fuels and the use of synthetic fertilizers) can lead to the overgrowth of weed species, damaging more delicate plants and disrupting ecosystems.
Pesticides contaminate the soil, water, and air, and are incredibly harmful to important insects such as pollinators. And they don’t just affect the area where they’re applied: Numerous studies have documented pesticide exposure of non-targeted organisms, including in those within nature conservation areas. Insect diversity, abundance, and biomass is declining globally, which in turn affects insect-eating birds and has a cascading effect on biodiversity.
5 - Invasive Species
The last major threat to biodiversity is invasive species and the diseases they bring with them. Invasive species often don’t have any predators in the habitats that they invade, so as they compete with native species for food, space, and other resources, there is nothing to control their population. Native species, in turn, have no defense against either predatory invasive species or the diseases brought in. New Zealand, for example, was entirely devoid of mammals until humans arrived. With an incredibly delicate ecosystem, it has been hit hard by the arrival of invasive species such as rats, cats, and ferrets. Having evolved with no predators, the birds of New Zealand are especially threatened by these animals and there is currently a nationwide effort to eradicate these species to protect the native flora and fauna.
The last major threat to biodiversity is invasive species and the diseases they bring with them. Invasive species often don’t have any predators in the habitats that they invade, so as they compete with native species for food, space, and other resources, there is nothing to control their population. Native species, in turn, have no defense against either predatory invasive species or the diseases brought in. New Zealand, for example, was entirely devoid of mammals until humans arrived. With an incredibly delicate ecosystem, it has been hit hard by the arrival of invasive species such as rats, cats, and ferrets. Having evolved with no predators, the birds of New Zealand are especially threatened by these animals and there is currently a nationwide effort to eradicate these species to protect the native flora and fauna.
The Karure, also known as the Kakaruia, or Chatham Island black robin, was a species driven nearly to extinction thanks to the arrival of rats and cats in New Zealand. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now around 300 of these robins - all descended from the last breeding pair in the world in 1980!
HOW CAN WE HELP?
The incredible variety of life on our planet maintains the delicate balance that supports us all (humans included!). It’s imperative that we protect biodiversity and restore nature. Small acts like picking up trash out on the trails and eating a more planet-friendly diet can have big impacts on biodiversity and the health of ecosystems across the globe.
On a larger scale, exciting things are happening to protect biodiversity too! In February of this year, the EU Parliament voted to pass the Nature Restoration Law, marking the first instance of a legally binding pact outlining nature restoration objections on this scale. EU Member States now have two years to come up with a plan to restore 30% of the habitat types mentioned in the law to a good condition by 2030, with targets increasing to 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050!
On a larger scale, exciting things are happening to protect biodiversity too! In February of this year, the EU Parliament voted to pass the Nature Restoration Law, marking the first instance of a legally binding pact outlining nature restoration objections on this scale. EU Member States now have two years to come up with a plan to restore 30% of the habitat types mentioned in the law to a good condition by 2030, with targets increasing to 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050!
As mentioned in our last article (read more here>>>), peatlands are an incredibly important and biodiverse ecosystem that we here at Trails and Roots feel very passionate about! It’s why our 1% for the Planet donation went to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council to help them in their efforts to protect and restore Ireland’s peatlands.
In next month's article, we will explore nature restoration, including some -wildly!- successful examples of rewilding and why it is so important!
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