What the Heck Is Biodiversity? And Why Should We Care?

In his upcoming book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Thomas Friedman laments the lack of public interest in biodiversity, an issue that he claims is as, if not more, critical than climate change. If you are like me -- before I researched the topic -- you may not even know what the word means. Sounds like some concept, straight out of a biology book. Which it is. And that's part of the problem. A quick, informal survey amongst my daughters' high school friends, was met with blank stares and a unanimous, "Biodiversity, what's that?". Even the president of the school's environmental club did not know. These are supposedly well educated young girls. Similarly, a recent Gallup Survey, Attitudes of Europeans Towards the Issue of Biodiversity, reveals that only 35% of Europeans understand what biodiversity means, and most see no immediate personal impact of biodiversity. The survey also shows a widespread lack of understanding of the causes and consequences of biodiversity.

So what exactly is biodiversity? According to a Stanford University press release announcing this week's publication of Paul Ehrlich and Robert Pringle's paper, "Where Does Biodiversity Go from Here? A Grim Business-as-Usual Forecast and a Hopeful Portfolio of Partial Solutions" -- released yesterday in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences Online:

Even if you don't like the outdoors, you're probably pretty fond of air, clean water and food. That makes you a fan of biodiversity, because those essentials for life -- human and otherwise -- are maintained as a direct result of the Earth's biodiversity, the abundance and variety of species and populations on the planet. Preserving a substantial amount of biodiversity is critical to a healthy future for us.

That's the short answer, and one I can work with.

The reason we should care so much about biodiversity is that it is being increasingly threatened, as we keep encroaching on natural habitats, and polluting our air, water and soil. Raising temperatures from climate change also represent a threat to ecosystems all over the world. Last week alone, came three alarming reports. First was "Ocean Dead Zones Become Worldwide Problem," then "Dying Frogs Signs of a Biodiversity Crisis," and "Climate Change Threatens one of five plant species in Germany." If you pay attention to the news, you will notice, the number and severity of biodiversity crises going up at an alarming rate.

Next comes the question of what can you and I do, as individual citizens and members of our communities? I scanned the Ehrlich and Pringle paper for some answers, and came up with a list, not unlike what you would recommend for climate change solutions:

1) Use contraception and limit the number of children.
2) Fund humanitarian efforts that promote women's education and employment, and access to contraception.
3) Take your children on nature outings.
4) Minimize consumption of non-renewable resources, following the "less is more" principle.
5) Substitute pork and beef with farm-raised poultry and fish.
6) Minimize driving.
7) Support and participate in conservation and restoration of biological preserves.
8) Preserve remnant trees.
9) Favor ecotourism.
10) Share your knowledge of science and nature on the Web and in schools.
11) Share this article with a friend.

Which of these recommended actions are you already following? Which new one are you willing to take on?

Comments

[Marguerite Manteau-Rao - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks John, thanks Nadine, thanks Ajita, for your very heartfelt and thoughtful comments. Yes, it is hard to separate raw emotions, from objective thoughts on this topic. I too, feel much grief, and frustration, and concern. I also know I did not pay much attention to it, until I read that one question from Tom Friedman, a few weeks ago. That says to me, there must be others like me, willing, but unaware, whose attitudes can shift, if they are told.

Also, just as with climate change, I refuse to give up, and to give into pessimism. It is too early in the mess. I encourage you to share whatever you know, and do whatever you can. From your writing, I can tell you have much to contribute.

[Tanytarsini]

What the public needs to understand is: 1) Biodiversity isn't evenly distributed, but is concentrated in certain areas because of ecological function and a result historical circumstances; 2) Biodiversity depends on immigration/emmigration, and thus may be concentrated in certain areas, but is dependent upon much larger areas for its integrity - it's a spatial AND temporal phenomena; 3) We aren't training enough scientists to become experts in taxonomy and systematics, the very people who understand what a species is in the first place; and 4) Biodiversity is life, it's a solution to the challenges of survival, and hence we have so much to learn from these species secrets, such as finding more efficient ways of using resources, discovering new methods of making medicines, and appreciating the value of these bio-hotspots.

[Ajita]

Hello Marguerite. I must subscribe to poiesis, as my fellow nature lovers below, and stick to emotive adoration in expressing what I feel..

OK. Screw that. I have been studying biodiversity, from the tropics, where the innumerable species of unidentified beetles are disappearing before they are cataloged, to the tundra, where invasives run rampant and are changing the ecosystem as fast as we can study them. Yes, you say we should have less kids, and yet its those who are unaware who are having the most. Biodiversity. Its a losing fight. Shifting baselines, remember? And the next generation is all committed to saving what they see, except they cant, cause its gone before.

[Tanytarsini]

Invasive species running rampant in the tundra? This is interesting, because there are many species whose range is Holarctic, e.g., distributed throughout the arctic region. Or are you implying that, with warming, the boreal region is creeping northward and we're finding species that aren't distributed throughout the boreal region being introduced outside their normal range. This is often happened with invasive insect pest species of many boreal tree species.

[nadinesellers]

Observing nature closely lends a particular understanding of careful neglect. The abandoned acreage is the survival ground of many species.
Look toward the fallow field and the restive copse of volunteer bushes and you may find the long forgotten strength of natural selection in both fauna and flora. The least disturbed areas become the most adaptable.

As a supporter of minimizing, i have been fortunate enough to appreciate local resources and ecological opportunities, such as eco-tourism and nature outings--we lived in and among nature. The dandelion in the cement parking lot, the finch in the super-market tree line, all wonders to enhance our determination to preserve and respect our environment.

[JohnKdrew]

Biodiversity is already proposing triage in respoinse to obsrved impact of cliatme change. Triage is applied in an emergency to allow the most globally beneficial use of inadequate resources. There will be severe climate disruptions, which will be left untreated because they will be recognized as able to recover autonomously. Selected climatically-induced emergencies where tax-payers" money can reduce suffering will be funded. Last, and most sadly, there may be even situations where unlimited funds cannot reverse impacts and the limited funds are deemed better deployed on other projects. Act now for Climate