14.2. Loss of Biodiversity

Since the last few decades, growth in human population has increased the rate of consumption of natural resources. It has accelerated the loss of species and habitation in different parts of the world.

This chunk explains how the rising human population leads to increased demands for natural resources such as land, water, and food. As people consume more resources to meet their needs, habitats are destroyed, and species face extinction due to the loss of their natural environments.

Imagine a small town where more families keep moving in. To build more houses and roads, they start cutting down trees and filling in ponds. As a result, the local wildlife, like birds and frogs, lose their homes, leading to fewer of them around.

Tropical regions, which occupy only about one-fourth of the total area of the world, contain about three-fourth of the world human population. Over-exploitation of resources and deforestation have become rampant to fulfil the needs of large population.

Tropical areas are extremely rich in biodiversity but also densely populated. This means more people are using resources from these regions, which results in more trees being cut down (deforestation) and wildlife being hunted or driven away. Deforestation not only destroys habitats but also contributes significantly to climate change.

Consider a local market that sells a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. If too many people shop there every day, the farmers may start clearing more land to grow more food, which could mean cutting down forests. Eventually, this leads to a loss of diverse plants and animals that lived in the forest.

Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. cause damage to the flora and fauna of the earth, bringing change to the biodiversity of respective affected regions.

Natural disasters disrupt ecosystems by destroying habitats and causing loss of life among plants and animals. This can lead to changes in the composition of species in the affected areas, reducing biodiversity. Some species may become endangered or extinct due to these catastrophic events.

Think of a forest that experiences a massive wildfire. This fire destroys trees and undergrowth, leaving animals without food and shelter. While some animals may survive by fleeing, others may not have a home to return to, and the loss of greenery means fewer animals can thrive in that region afterward.

Pesticides and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy the weak and sensitive species. Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system are called exotic species.

Pollution from chemicals like pesticides can have devastating effects on the environment. It particularly harms sensitive species that are unable to adapt to such changes. Additionally, when non-native species (exotic species) are introduced into local ecosystems, they can compete with native species for resources, often leading to declines in native populations.

Imagine planting a new kind of flower in a garden. If that flower grows too quickly and shades out other flowers, it can make it hard for them to survive. Similarly, when a new animal species is brought into an ecosystem, it can out-compete local animals for food and space, which can disrupt the balance.

During the last few decades, some animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, minks and birds were hunted mercilessly by poachers for their horn, tusks, hides, etc. It has resulted in the rendering of certain types of organisms in the endangered category.

Poaching significantly threatens various species. Animals hunted for their valuable body parts face drastic declines in their populations. When these species are removed from the ecosystem, it can create imbalances that affect other species and the overall health of the environment.

Think about a superhero team where one member is taken away. The team might struggle without that member's unique skills. Similarly, removing tigers from a forest can cause overpopulation of certain prey species, which leads to changes in plant life and the ecosystem's health.

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