Dr Paari - Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems

Summary

This session discusses the significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystems due to human interventions. It highlights historical mass extinctions and the current crisis driven by human activities such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. The script emphasizes the urgent need for global efforts to conserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and promote sustainable practices.

Takeaways

• 🌿 **Habitat Alteration**: Human activities have significantly reshaped natural habitats, impacting ecosystems and biodiversity.
• 🌍 **Resource Extraction**: Unsustainable extraction of resources for human survival and growth poses a threat to biodiversity.
• 🦕 **Historical Extinctions**: Major biodiversity loss events like the Permian-Triassic, KT, and Late Devonian extinctions have had significant impacts on Earth's species.
• 🌊 **Ongoing Crisis**: The current mass extinction, driven by human actions, is unique and rapid, causing a decline in biodiversity.
• 🏡 **Habitat Destruction**: The complete elimination or alteration of habitats due to urbanization, agriculture, and other developments leads to species displacement or extinction.
• 🌤️ **Climate Change**: Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns disrupt ecosystems, alter habitats, and cause shifts in species distribution.
• 🚰 **Pollution**: Chemical pollutants contaminate ecosystems, causing direct harm to species and disrupting food chains.
• 🐠 **Plastic Pollution**: The improper disposal of plastics leads to pollution in terrestrial and marine environments, harming wildlife.
• 🐟 **Overexploitation**: Unsustainable harvesting of resources, such as overfishing and illegal wildlife trade, depletes species populations.
• 🌱 **Land Use Change**: Conversion of natural habitats for agriculture and urban development reduces available habitats for wildlife and increases human-wildlife conflicts.
• 🌳 **Conservation Efforts**: Concerted efforts at various levels are required for habitat conservation, sustainable resource management, and pollution control to protect biodiversity.

Q & A

What are the common threats to biodiversity and ecosystems?

Common threats to biodiversity and ecosystems include habitat destruction and fragmentation, climate change, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation, land use change, and ocean acidification.

How has human intervention impacted biodiversity?

Human interventions have impacted biodiversity by reshaping natural habitats, removing resources unsustainably, and causing habitat destruction and fragmentation.

What are the major biodiversity loss events in Earth's history?

Major biodiversity loss events include the Permian-Triassic Extinction, KT Extinction, Ordovician Extinction, Late Devonian Extinction, and Triassic Jurassic Extinction.

What is the current status of the biodiversity crisis?

The current biodiversity crisis, also known as the Holocene extinction, is an ongoing extinction event characterized by a rapid decline in biodiversity largely attributed to human activities.

What are the main direct causes of biodiversity loss according to the Royal Society?

According to the Royal Society, the main direct causes of biodiversity loss are land use change, overexploitation of natural resources, and climate change.

How does habitat destruction affect species?

Habitat destruction leads to the displacement or inability to survive for species that depend on the destroyed habitat, resulting in population declines or local extinctions.

What is habitat fragmentation and how does it impact biodiversity?

Habitat fragmentation occurs when large, continuous habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches by human-made barriers. It can lead to reduced habitat quality, restricted animal movement, and increased risk of genetic isolation and inbreeding.

How does climate change affect biodiversity?

Climate change affects biodiversity by disrupting ecosystems, altering habitats, and causing shifts in species distribution. It can also impact vegetation patterns and disrupt key ecological events.

What role does pollution play in biodiversity loss?

Pollution contributes to biodiversity loss by contaminating water bodies, disrupting food chains, and causing deformities, reproductive issues, and death in aquatic species. It also contributes to global warming and climate change.

How does overexploitation threaten biodiversity?

Overexploitation threatens biodiversity by depleting populations of species and degrading ecosystems when living resources are harvested or utilized at rates exceeding their natural reproduction or replenishment rates.

What measures can be taken to address the threats to biodiversity?

Measures to address threats to biodiversity include habitat conservation, sustainable resource management, pollution control, invasive species management, climate change mitigation, and international cooperation on conservation initiatives.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Human Impact on Biodiversity

The paragraph discusses the significant threats to biodiversity caused by human activities. It emphasizes the reshaping of natural habitats, unsustainable resource extraction, and historical mass extinction events. It also highlights the current anthropogenic-driven extinction crisis, which is unique due to human actions rather than natural causes. The paragraph lists the major threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation, land use change, and ocean acidification. It further explains how land use change is the primary cause of biodiversity loss, followed by overexploitation and climate change. The effects of habitat destruction and fragmentation on species and ecosystems are also detailed.

05:00

🌡️ Climate Change and Pollution Effects

This paragraph focuses on the impact of climate change on biodiversity, including rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. It discusses how these changes can disrupt ecosystems, alter habitats, and cause shifts in species distribution. The paragraph also addresses the effects of pollution, including chemical contaminants, on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It explains how pollution can lead to deformities, reproductive issues, and death in species, disrupt food chains, and contribute to global warming and climate change. The paragraph also touches on the issue of plastic pollution and its effects on marine life and ecosystems.

10:01

🌱 Conservation Efforts and Individual Responsibility

The final paragraph emphasizes the need for concerted efforts at various levels to conserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems. It suggests measures such as habitat conservation, sustainable resource management, pollution control, invasive species management, climate change mitigation, and international cooperation. The paragraph concludes by encouraging individual contributions to environmental conservation, highlighting the significant impact that individuals can have on this noble cause.

Keywords

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, encompassing all plants, animals, and microorganisms, their genes, and the ecosystems they form. It is crucial for the health of the planet and the well-being of humans. In the video, biodiversity is highlighted as being under threat due to human interventions, such as habitat destruction and climate change, which disrupt ecosystems and lead to species extinction.

💡Ecosystem

An ecosystem consists of all living organisms in a particular environment interacting with each other, as well as with the non-living components of the environment. The video emphasizes how human activities impact ecosystems by altering habitats and causing a decline in biodiversity, which in turn affects the balance and health of these systems.

💡Habitat Destruction

Habitat destruction is the process by which natural habitats are eliminated or severely altered, making them unsuitable for the species that originally lived there. The script mentions that this is often driven by human activities like urbanization, agriculture, and logging, leading to a significant threat to biodiversity as it results in the displacement or extinction of species.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It is portrayed in the video as a major threat to biodiversity, causing disruptions to ecosystems through rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, which can lead to shifts in species distribution and even extinction if species cannot adapt quickly enough.

💡Pollution

Pollution in the context of the video refers to the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, such as heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, and plastics. It is highlighted as a threat to biodiversity because it can contaminate water bodies, disrupt food chains, and cause deformities, reproductive issues, and death in aquatic and terrestrial species.

💡Invasive Species

Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can cause significant harm to the native species and the ecosystem. The video mentions that invasive species can account for a significant portion of biodiversity loss, as they can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt habitats, and even introduce new diseases.

💡Overexploitation

Overexploitation is the unsustainable harvesting or utilization of natural resources at rates that exceed their ability to naturally reproduce or replenish. The script uses overfishing as an example, where unsustainable fishing practices can lead to the depletion of fish populations and the collapse of marine ecosystems, thereby threatening biodiversity.

💡Land Use Change

Land use change involves the conversion of natural habitats for purposes such as agriculture, urban development, and infrastructure projects. The video discusses how this alters ecosystems and reduces available habitats for wildlife, leading to habitat fragmentation, isolation of species populations, and increased human-wildlife conflicts.

💡Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period, primarily caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The video implies that this process can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, thus impacting biodiversity.

💡Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The video suggests that addressing the threats to biodiversity requires concerted efforts towards sustainable development practices, such as habitat conservation, sustainable resource management, and pollution control.

💡Extinction Events

Extinction events are periods during which there is a significant loss of species in a relatively short geological time frame. The script mentions several major extinction events in Earth's history, such as the Permian-Triassic Extinction and the KT Extinction, which had profound impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Highlights

Human interventions have reshaped natural habitats, impacting ecosystems.

The biggest threat to biodiversity is human reshaping of natural habitats.

Human population growth requires resources, leading to unsustainable removal and biodiversity threat.

Major biodiversity loss events have occurred throughout Earth's history.

Perian-Triassic Extinction wiped out approximately 96% of marine species.

KT Extinction led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs.

Ardo-wecan Extinction damaged 85% of marine species due to glaciation and global warming.

Late Devonian Extinction resulted in the loss of around 75% of marine organisms.

Triassic Jurassic Extinction led to the extinction of 50% of marine genera.

The sixth mass extinction, or Holocene extinction, is driven by human activities.

Habitat destruction and fragmentation are significant threats to biodiversity.

Climate change is causing shifts in species distribution and disrupting ecosystems.

Pollution, including plastic waste, is a major threat to aquatic ecosystems.

Overexploitation of natural resources is depleting species populations.

Land use change, such as deforestation, is reducing available habitats for wildlife.

Concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels are required to address biodiversity loss.

Individual contributions to environmental conservation can have a significant impact.

Transcripts

hello everyone this session is about the

common threats to biodiversity and

ecosystem human interventions impact the

biodiversity of our planet in multiple

ways the biggest threat to biodiversity

to date has been the way humans have

reshaped the natural habitats that

accidentally and deliberately have an

impact on the ecosystems we all know

that the human population requires

resources to survive and grow many of

those resources are being removed

unsustainably from the environment

causing a threat to biodiversity and

ecosystems there have been several major

biodiversity loss events throughout

Earth's history each with significant

impact on the planet's ecosystem and

species some of the most notable

biodiversity damages in the history are

perian Triassic Extinction which

occurred approximately 252 million years

ago that wiped out approximately 96% of

marine species and 70% of terrestrial

vertebrate species the KT Extinction

which occurred around 66 million years

ago that resulted in the extinction of

the non-avian dinosaur along with many

other species and Ardo wec an Extinction

that occurred approximately 443 million

years ago go that damaged 85% of the

marine species the causes are thought to

include glaciation and a subsequent

global warming period leading to

significant changes in sea levels and

ocean chemistry late devonian Extinction

that occurred around 360 million years

ago witnessed the loss of around 75% of

the species primarily marine organisms

possible causes were due to climate

change Oceanic anoxia and volcanic

activity trixic Jurassic Extinction

which roughly happened 2011 million

years ago that lead to the extinction of

approximately 50% of the marine gendra

and numerous terrestrial species

possible causes were volcanic eruption

climate change and the release of

greenhouse gases the sixth mass

extinction also known as the hosin

extinction refers to the ongoing

Extinction event characterized by a

rapid decline in biodiversity largely

attributed to human activities while

Extinction events have occurred

throughout the Earth's history the

current Extinction crisis is unique in

that it is primarily driven by human

actions rather than natural phenomena

some of the most significant threats

include habitat destruction and

fragmentation climate change pollution

invasive species overe exploitation land

use change and ocean acidification

according to a study by the Royal

Society the main direct cause of

biodiversity loss is land use change

which drives an estimated 30% of

biodiversity decline globally second is

the overe exploitation of Natural

Resources for things like food medicines

and Timber which drives around 20% of

biodiversity loss climate change is the

third most significant factor for

biodiversity loss which together with

pollution accounts for 14% biodiversity

loss invasive alien species accounts for

11% of biodiversity loss to know about

habitat destruction and fragmentation

habited destruction refers to the

complete elimination or significant

alteration of a habitat making it

unsuitable for the species that

originally inhabited it habitat

destruction is often driven by human

activities such as urbanization

agriculture logging Mining and

infrastructure development when habitats

are destroyed the plants animals that

depend on them for food shelter and

other resources may be displaced or

unable to survive leading to population

declines or local extinctions habitat

fragmentation occurs when large

continuous habitats are divided into

smaller isolated Patches by human-made

barriers such as roads cities

agricultural fields or other forms of

development habitat fragmentation can

result in the formation of habited

islands surrounded by a matrix of

unsuitable or inhospitable habitat

fragmentation can lead to reduced

habitat quality and also restrict the

movement of animals fragment populations

and increase the risk of genetic

isolation and inbreeding which can

reduce genetic diversity and compromise

the long-term viability of species the

combined effect of habitat destruction

and fragmentation pose a significant

threat to biodiversity and ecosystem

health

they are major drivers of species

Extinction and can contribute to decline

in populations loss of genetic diversity

and alterations of ecosystem structure

and function let's see about the effect

of climate change on biodiversity law

Rising temperatures changing

precipitation patterns and extreme

weather events associated with climate

change can disrupt the ecosystem alter

the habitats and cause shift in species

distribution species that cannot adapt

or migrate quickly enough May face

Extinction changes in temperature and

precipitation can also impact vegetation

patterns such as changes in the timing

of flowering leafing affecting the

availability of food and resources for

the species that depend on them climate

change can disrupt the timing of key

ecological events such as the timing of

the migrations breeding seasons and the

emergence of insects or availability of

prey this can lead to mismatches between

species interactions such as pollinators

and plants or predators and prey which

can have a cascading effects through the

ecosystem addressing pollution as a

threat to biodiversity loss requires

concerted efforts at local National and

international levels to reduce emissions

improve waste management practices

promote sustainable resource use and

Implement policies to protect ecosystems

and species chemical pollutant such as

heavy metals pesticides fertilizers and

Plastics can contaminate water bodies

this contamination affects aquatic

species directly causing deformities

reproductive issues and even death it

also disrupts food chains and can lead

to the collapse of entire aquatic

ecosystem pollutants released into the

atmosphere such as nitrogen oxides

sulfur dioxide ozone and particular

matter can harm both terrestrial and

aquatic ecosystem acid Rin for for

example caused by air pollution damages

vegetation and Alters soil chemistry

affecting the plant growth and soil

dwelling organisms many pollutants such

as carbon dioxide and methane contribute

to global warming and climate change

these changes in temperature and

precipitation patterns can disrupt the

ecosystem and alter the distribution of

species some species may struggle to

adapt or migrate to suitable habitats

leading to population Decline and

Extinction the widespread use and

improper disposal of plastic products

have lead to plastic pollution in

terrestrial and in Marine environments

marine animals often ingest plastic

debris or become entangled in it leading

to injury Suffocation and death plastic

pollution also impact Marine ecosystem

by altering habitats and introducing

toxic chemicals into the environment

industrial chemicals Pharmaceuticals and

pesticides can accumulate in the

environment posing a risk to Wildlife

and ecosystem these chemicals can

disrupt hormonal systems impair

reproduction weaken the immune system

and cause genetic mutations in exposed

organisms overe exploitation is a threat

to biodiversity unsustainable harvesting

of resources such as over fishing

illegal Wildlife trade and logging can

deplete populations of species and

degrade ecosystem overe exploitation

because when living resources are

harvested are utilized at rates

exceeding their natural reproduction are

replenishment rates leading to depletion

and decline in populations this can have

a significant consequence for

biodiversity and ecosystem Health

unsustainable fishing practices such as

bottom thring long laning can lead to

depletion of fish populations collapse

of Fisheries that affects the

biodiversity of marine ecosystems

pouching trafficking of endangered

species such as elephants rhinos tigers

and pangolins threaten their survival

and disrupt ecosystem illegal Wildlife

trade also contribute to the spread of

dis diseases habitat destruction and

destabilization of ecosystem land use

change is another cause for biodiversity

loss conversion of natural habitats for

agriculture Urban Development

infrastructure projects and Mining

Alters the ecosystem and reduces the

available habitat for wildlife land use

change can fragment Landscapes isolate

populations and increase human Wildlife

conflicts deforestation for Timber

extraction agriculture urbanization and

infrastructure development can lead to

the loss of habitat for countless plant

and animal species including many that

are endemic are threatened with

Extinction addressing these threats

required concerted efforts at local

National and Global levels to conserve

biodiversity protect ecosystem and

promote sustainable development

practices this may involve measures such

as habitat conservation sustainable

Resource Management Pollution Control

invasive species management climate

change mitigation and international

cooperation on conservation initiatives

individual contribution on environment

conservation have a huge impact let us

be the part of this Noble cost thank you

[Music]