Introduction
Biodiversity loss involves the extinction of species globally and also the local reduction and the loss of species in a particular habitat. The loss of species can be temporary or permanent depending on how environmental degradation that results in biodiversity loss can be reversed through ecological resilience and restoration or completely impossible due to land loss. Global extinction has been proven to be significantly irreversible (Miller, 2005). Even though permanent species loss worldwide is a more significant problem than regional shifts in the composition of species. Additionally, minor modifications from a healthy stable state can have a considerable effect in the food web, and the food chain insofar as the reductions of one species can impact the whole chain leading to an overall decrease in biodiversity.
Currently, people continuously face the loss of biodiversity. This process has been happening recently at a more rapid pace compared to how it advanced five decades ago. Around ninety percent of all the fish of the planet has been exploited heavily in the last fifty years, while a quarter of various kinds of birds have been killed, and over seventy percent of forests have been destroyed (Reich et al., 2012). Additionally, extinction threatens eighteen percent of all mammals, five percent of marine life and eight percent of plants. Therefore it is clear that biodiversity loss on earth, which continually occurs worldwide is directly associated with anthropological elements, including overfishing, consumerism, overhunting and adverse agricultural practices.
The paper will examine biodiversity loss comprehensively and also analyze how businesses in various industries have contributed to biodiversity loss. The paper will also highlight how diversity affects multiple industries and how different industries and enterprises have been responding to numerous modifications in ecosystems. The paper will finally provide recommendations and the current trends being applied to combat biodiversity loss globally.
Analysis of the issue
Biodiversity is the measure of the health of various ecosystems. Mass extinction results in the reduction of biodiversity, which leads to the creation of severe environmental issues. The diversity of living organism primarily depends on numerous factors, including air temperature, soil quality, precipitation, geography and also the presence of other different species within a similar area (Miller, 2005). They are significantly essential for healthy ecosystems and also for some issues associated to humans including; dietary health, nutrition, the advancement of medical science, resource security, economic development and sustainability and even the decreasing rates of natural disasters.
The ecological impacts of biodiversity are typically counteracted by its loss and therefore, the reduction of biodiversity results into decrease in ecosystem services and ultimately pose an immediate threat for food security and also for humankind. Ecosystems that function due to biodiversity provide the necessities of life and even protect from disease and natural disasters by regulation of the climate, floods and pests. They also shape human cultures and their spiritual affiliations (Reich et al., 2012). Besides provisioning, regulating and cultural services being provided, ecosystems provide support and maintain life processes such as the production of biomass and cycling nutrients that are essential to humanity’s survival.
Biodiversity loss is rampant throughout the world. Numerous environmental experts and researchers have highlighted that if the situation does not change almost thirty percent of all species in existence will ultimately become extinct within the next five decades. This will have a significant impact on the whole planet (Díaz, Fargione, Chapin III & Tilman, 2006). Currently, numerous species have been considered to be endangered or rare. Biodiversity loss is linked with several environmental problems such as overexploitation of natural resources, adverse agricultural practices and also consumerism. All these problems will be analyzed to help comprehend biodiversity loss further.
How is business contributing to the issue?
In the agriculture sector, the primary adverse outcomes of this process on the environment include soil degradation and erosion due to overgrazing of animals, over-use of land for row cropping and ploughing and also land-use conversion (Tsiafouli et al., 2015). These challenges lead to decreased yields, contamination of freshwater, and increased frequency of natural disasters such as mud floods and also biodiversity loss and extinction of animals.
The excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers is an agricultural practice that influences the population of species. Over ninety percent of chemicals sprayed on plants affect not only the targeted species but also other insects. Spillage from chemicals utilized in farms may contaminate the water and soil to an extreme level while simultaneously contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer and further contributing to global warming (Hooper et al., 2012). Additionally, agricultural practices are a significant threat to the population of bees. Bees are necessary for the whole environment since they pollinate plants. However, currently, the population of bees has been declining due to the excessive use of pesticides around farms which may kill these insects during pollination. It is essential to note that these chemicals are significant contributors to greenhouse emissions which are dangerous for humans and animals (Reich et al., 2012).
Agriculture alters the earth’s land cover and leads to the release of methane and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Additionally, this industrial sector is known as the primary cause of deforestation since forests are cut down for farming, plantations and cattle ranching. This results in a lack of sufficient forest cover, which leads to global warming since trees typically absorb carbon dioxide (Tsiafouli et al., 2015). The lack of trees on the planet results in biodiversity loss since numerous species lose their habitat. The habitat size and the number of species are directly related, and therefore agricultural practices negatively impact biodiversity.
For most plastic industrial facilities, the burning of fossil fuels which leads to the release of dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere and how they dump chemical waste into the ocean yearly lead to the excessive amount of pollution that disrupts the earth’s ecosystems completely (Cardinale et al., 2012). While it may not necessarily cause extinction, pollutants have the potential influence to alter the habits of various species. For example, acid rain that is typically caused by burning fossil fuels can acidify smaller bodies of water and soil and therefore adversely impacting the species that live with these ecosystems by changing their breeding and feeding patterns (Hooper et al., 2012). For example, acid rain, which is typically caused by the burning of fossil fuels, can acidify smaller bodies of water and soil, negatively affecting the species that live there by changing breeding and feeding habits.
Due to toxic waste from processing factories in the manufacturing industry, some regions have become severely polluted and are now dead zones as the condition within these areas cannot sustain any life form. Apart from the destruction of habitats, pollution poses extensive cumulative impacts on the health of species leading to their deaths (Díaz, Fargione, Chapin III & Tilman, 2006). For instance, marine life is significantly affected by pollution. Overpopulation has led to the continuous encroachment into forests which has destroyed the significant number of forests. This has led to human activities such as overexploitation of natural resources, over-fishing, poaching and the deliberate destruction of biological systems that have led to biodiversity loss.
Overexploitation of resources that is activities associated with capturing and harvesting, a renewable natural resource in a specific area is excessively utilized. Therefore the biological resource itself becomes severely exhausted, for example, in the case of overfishing, this depletes marine species without leaving enough time for organisms to reproduce (Cardinale et al., 2012). Additionally, human activities that do not foster afforestation such as excessive logging depletes biological resources acquired from forests such as rubber, dye and oil, which are essential for various industries. The depletion of such resources cripples the economy eventually leading to loss of jobs, degradation of land and ultimately global warming.
Current trends and Recommendations
Industries and individuals have been comprehending that the loss of biodiversity as it ultimately poses some harsh future realities. Huge manufacturing companies have introduced activities inside their organization that educate their employees and the public on the importance of environmental conservation (Price Waterhouse Coopers, 2010). Governments have begun educating and increasing awareness to the public on how the loss of biodiversity impacts the environment and have comprehended the possible outcomes if this situation continues. Special education projects, however, must be centred on the effects of biodiversity loss and the various ways to preserve it (Esty & Simmons, 2011).
The principal solution towards biodiversity loss is the reduction of land and soil degradation primarily associated with agriculture. Additionally, integrating biodiversity strategies with other significant environmental concerns such as climate change, and also human development concerns such as overpopulation will assist in alleviating biodiversity loss (Harding, Hendriks & Faruqi, 2009). Systematic initiatives focused on preserving biodiversity will ultimately lead to the reduction of the loss of species and elevate environmental sustainability.
Environmental issues that currently exist did not appear overnight, and therefore, it is not possible to restore biodiversity rapidly. Systematic measures taken in harmony with nature can assist in this venture, but it will require much time. Governments, businesses and the public must work towards the restoration of biodiversity and ultimately solving the outcomes of other adverse environmental problems (Dyllick & Muff, 2016). Patient and persistent collaborating makes it possible to save the planet and the restoration of lost and endangered species.
Conclusion
A vision of a global economy whereby ecosystems and biodiversity are acknowledged as the most prominent and non-negotiable component of economic capital while framing their best business strategies and policies is necessary. The public and every organization must be encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly approaches that will preserve the environment. People must be aware that if they do not respect the planet, then they will lose all natural resources and ultimately their lives. Biodiversity loss is a critical issue, and people must realize that natural resources are vital for their human health and well-being.