A biodiversidade é importante?

Atila Iamarino

5 Nov 202219:38

Summary

TLDRThe video script highlights Brazil's biodiversity crisis, with over 3,209 plant and 1,249 fauna species at risk of extinction, a majority identified in recent years. It discusses the impact of human activities, such as agriculture and urbanization, on species loss and the environment. The script emphasizes the importance of biodiversity for food security, health, and ecosystem services, and calls for policies based on scientific knowledge to conserve this essential natural heritage.

Takeaways

📅 In June 2020, Brazil's Ministry of the Environment updated the list of species threatened with extinction, with 3,209 plant species and 1,249 animal species at risk.
🔍 Over half of the species on the list were added in the most recent survey, highlighting the rapid increase in species identified at risk in recent years.
🐦 The only Brazilian species considered extinct in the wild is the Mutum from the Northeast, although some individuals remain in captivity.
🌱 Brazil is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, with the highest number of known species, accounting for about 13% of the world's species.
🏆 The country ranks second in the world for the total number of endemic species, closely tied with Indonesia, making it one of the 17 most diverse countries on Earth.
🔄 Natural extinction is a normal process, with an estimated 99% of all species that have ever lived on Earth being extinct, typically balanced by the emergence of new species over hundreds of thousands of years.
⚠️ Brazil is currently experiencing a loss of biodiversity at a much faster rate than it can recover, with human activities increasing the natural extinction rate by at least 100 times.
🏭 Human activities such as urbanization and industrialization have drastically altered ecosystems, leading to a reduction in animal and plant populations and their geographical distribution.
🌾 Agricultural expansion, particularly the conversion of preserved areas into monoculture croplands and pastures, is a major risk to biodiversity, as it significantly reduces the variety of species in the affected regions.
💧 Freshwater biodiversity is decreasing much faster than marine or forest biodiversity, with the world having lost nearly 90% of wetland areas since 1700, impacting species like reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish.
🌡 Climate change, while not the primary cause of global biodiversity loss currently, is expected to become as or more significant than other factors in the coming decades, affecting species distribution, population sizes, and reproductive cycles.

Q & A

What significant update did the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment make in June 2020 regarding endangered species?
-In June 2020, the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment updated its list of endangered species, adding 3,209 plant species and 1,249 animal species, more than half of which were identified as at risk in recent years.
What is the current status of the Mutum from Northeast Brazil in terms of extinction?
-The Mutum from Northeast Brazil is considered extinct in the wild but there are still some specimens in captivity. Thanks to a reintroduction project in the Brazilian Caatinga, it was removed from the extinct category in the last assessment.
What does the term 'biodiversity' encompass according to the script?
-Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including ecosystems such as deserts, forests, wetlands, mountains, lakes, and agricultural environments. It involves living organisms, including humans, that form communities and interact with each other and their surroundings.
How does Brazil rank in terms of biodiversity, especially concerning endemic species?
-Brazil ranks second in the world for the total number of endemic species, closely tied with Indonesia for the first place, and is one of the 17 most diverse countries on the planet.
What is the natural process of species extinction estimated to be, and how does it compare to the current rate in Brazil?
-It is estimated that about 99% of all species that have ever existed on Earth have gone extinct naturally, usually within a balance where new species evolve over hundreds of thousands of years or more. However, Brazil is currently losing biodiversity much faster than it can recover, with the rate of extinction increased by at least 100 times due to human activities.
What are the main causes of biodiversity loss mentioned in the script?
-The main causes of biodiversity loss mentioned are land-use changes, such as converting preserved areas into agricultural regions, extraction of natural resources, industrialization, urbanization, and climate change.
How has the freshwater biodiversity been affected compared to marine or forest biodiversity?
-Freshwater biodiversity has decreased much faster than marine or forest biodiversity, with the world losing nearly 90% of wetland areas since 1700, affecting species like reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish.
What is the impact of climate change on biodiversity, particularly on different species?
-Climate change impacts different species in various ways depending on their habitats. For example, Arctic or tundra species are more affected by climate changes due to direct transformations of their cold environments, while high-sea fish are relatively protected due to less temperature variation impact.
What is the role of biodiversity in food security and agriculture, according to the script?
-Biodiversity plays a crucial role in food security and agriculture by making production systems and means of subsistence more resistant to shocks and stresses, such as climate change events. It also provides genetic reserves that can be used for developing more resistant, productive, or nutritious crop varieties.
How does the loss of biodiversity affect the development of new medicines and the emergence of new diseases?
-The loss of biodiversity reduces the pool of potential medicinal compounds that can be derived from wild species, while at the same time, it increases the chances of encountering new diseases, as human contact with wild animals increases due to habitat destruction and climate change.
What are ecosystem services, and how do they benefit human activities?
-Ecosystem services are the processes and conditions of natural systems that support or assist human activities, such as the pollination services provided by pollinators, which are essential for the production of fruits and seeds in agriculture.
What is the IUCN Red List, and how does it contribute to global biodiversity conservation?
-The IUCN Red List is the most comprehensive source of information on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus, and plant species. It serves as a tool for summarizing and prioritizing conservation actions and public policies related to biodiversity.
What is Brazil's current status regarding the conservation of its biodiversity, according to the script?
-Brazil has established one of the world's largest participatory conservation planning efforts, covering all Brazilian biomes, and recognizes 1,530 priority areas for sustainable use and shared benefits of biodiversity. However, data on deforestation indicate that the loss of biodiversity is still increasing.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Biodiversity at Risk in Brazil

In June 2020, Brazil's Ministry of the Environment updated its list of endangered species, with 3,209 plant species and 1,249 animal species at risk of extinction, more than half added in the last survey. The script highlights the country's unique biodiversity and the impact of human activities on it, such as urbanization and agricultural expansion, which have accelerated the extinction rate to at least 100 times the natural process. The video series aims to discuss the risks to biodiversity in Brazil and emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts, such as the successful reintroduction of the Mutum bird into the Caatinga biome.

05:02

🌾 The Impact of Agriculture and Urbanization on Biodiversity

This paragraph discusses how agricultural practices, particularly the expansion of monoculture and livestock farming, have significantly reduced biodiversity in Brazil. It also addresses the effects of urbanization and industrialization, such as the construction of hydroelectric plants that transform rivers into reservoirs, leading to the decline of aquatic species. The script notes that freshwater biodiversity has declined more rapidly than marine or forest biodiversity, with the world losing nearly 90% of wetlands since 1700, affecting species like reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish.

10:02

🌡 Climate Change and Its Effects on Biodiversity

The script explains the role of climate change in the loss of biodiversity, with the increase in carbon dioxide levels affecting the planet's ecosystems. It points out that most species have evolved within specific environmental conditions, and radical changes in climate can lead to extinction. The effects of climate change, such as extreme events and small variations in climatic factors, can alter species distribution, population size, and reproductive cycles. The script also mentions the potential for climate change to increase the frequency of pests and diseases and the challenges faced by species in adapting to these changes.

15:03

🐦 Invasive Species and Their Threat to Biodiversity

This paragraph focuses on the threat of invasive species to native ecosystems, either intentionally introduced or accidentally introduced, such as the case of the common pigeon in Brazil or the coral sol in Rio de Janeiro. Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecological balance, and even lead to the extinction of native species. The script also discusses the broader impacts of biodiversity loss on the environment, economy, food security, and health, including the potential for increased contact with zoonotic diseases.

🌱 The Importance of Biodiversity for Agriculture and Health

The script highlights the importance of biodiversity for agriculture, including the role of pollinators in food production, which contributes significantly to agricultural output. It also discusses the genetic reserves that biodiversity offers for developing more resistant and productive crop varieties. Furthermore, it touches on the link between biodiversity and human health, including traditional and pharmaceutical drugs derived from wild species, and the increased risk of pandemics due to the destruction of natural habitats.

🏞️ Conservation Efforts and International Agreements

This paragraph outlines the international efforts to conserve biodiversity, such as the IUCN Red List, which provides comprehensive information on the extinction risk of species worldwide. It also mentions the Convention on Biological Diversity established during the Earth Summit in 1992 and the Sustainable Development Goals that include targets for preserving aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The script notes Brazil's large participatory conservation planning and the recognition of 1,530 priority areas for conservation and sustainable use, covering nearly a third of the national territory.

📉 Challenges in Biodiversity Conservation in Brazil

The final paragraph addresses the challenges faced in conserving Brazil's biodiversity, noting the lack of progress in meeting sustainable development goals related to terrestrial biodiversity. It points out the absence of recent data for most indicators and the government's disregard for the illegal trafficking of protected species. The script concludes with a call for concern and preservation of biodiversity, as deforestation rates continue to rise, threatening the world's heritage and transforming biomes into agricultural spaces used by a few.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the variety within species, between species, and within ecosystems. In the video, it is highlighted as being under threat due to human activities, and it is central to the theme of environmental sustainability and conservation in Brazil. The script mentions that Brazil is privileged in terms of biodiversity, being home to about 13% of the world's known species.

💡Endemic species

Endemic species are those that are native and unique to a specific geographic region and cannot be naturally found elsewhere. The script points out that Brazil is the second-largest country in terms of total endemic species, which underscores the importance of conserving Brazil's unique flora and fauna.

💡Extinction

Extinction is the permanent loss of a species so that no living members remain. The video discusses the natural process of extinction, which has been accelerated by human activities, leading to a higher rate of species loss than the rate of new species formation, which is a major concern for biodiversity.

💡Ecosystems

Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. The script explains that ecosystems such as deserts, forests, and wetlands are impacted by human activities, which in turn affects the biodiversity within them.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the process of clearing trees and vegetation, often for the purpose of converting forests into agricultural land. The video script mentions deforestation as a significant threat to biodiversity, particularly in Brazil, where it leads to habitat loss for many species.

💡Monoculture

Monoculture refers to the agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a large area. The script criticizes the expansion of monoculture in Brazil, which reduces biodiversity by displacing native species with a single, economically valuable crop.

💡Climate change

Climate change is the long-term alteration of weather patterns, particularly due to human activities. The video script discusses climate change as a growing threat to biodiversity, as it can lead to shifts in species distribution, population sizes, and reproductive cycles, as well as increase the frequency of pests and diseases.

💡Invasive species

Invasive species are non-native organisms that have been introduced to an ecosystem, where they can outcompete native species and disrupt the balance. The script uses the example of the coral vine in Brazil, which has taken over coastal areas, displacing native species.

💡Ecosystem services

Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from ecosystems, such as pollination, water filtration, and nutrient cycling. The video script highlights the economic value of pollination services alone, which contributes significantly to agricultural production.

💡Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a model of progress that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The script connects sustainable development with the conservation of biodiversity, emphasizing the need for policies informed by scientific knowledge and community wisdom.

💡IUCN Red List

The IUCN Red List is a critical tool used to assess the conservation status of species worldwide. The video script mentions it as a comprehensive source of information on the risk of extinction for various species, which helps prioritize conservation actions and public policies.

Highlights

In June 2020, Brazil's Ministry of the Environment updated the list of species threatened with extinction, adding over 3,000 plant and 1,249 animal species.

More than half of the listed species were identified as at risk in recent years, indicating a rapid decline in biodiversity.

The Mutum from Northeast Brazil is the only species considered extinct in the wild, but captive specimens still exist.

A project to reintroduce the Mutum into the Caatinga helped it be removed from the extinction category, showcasing conservation efforts' success.

Biodiversity encompasses various ecosystems and the intricate web of life, of which humans are an integral part.

Brazil is exceptionally biodiverse, with the most known species and a high number of endemic species.

Natural extinction processes are occurring at a much faster rate due to human activities, disrupting the natural balance.

Human activities, such as urbanization and agriculture, have drastically altered ecosystems and increased species extinction rates.

Freshwater biodiversity is decreasing faster than marine or forest biodiversity, with nearly 90% loss of wetlands since 1700.

Climate change is increasingly impacting biodiversity, with alterations in temperature and humidity affecting species' survival.

Species migration and changes in reproduction and migration patterns are consequences of climate variations.

The first mammal known to have gone extinct due to climate change is the Bramble Cay melomys, a rodent from Australia.

Overexploitation of species, such as overfishing and deforestation, can lead to rapid population decline and extinction.

Invasive species can disrupt ecosystems by outcompeting native species for resources and altering food chains.

Biodiversity loss affects not only the environment but also economic development, food security, and human health.

Biodiversity provides genetic resources for food production and contributes to the development of new medicines.

The loss of biodiversity increases the chances of new diseases emerging from wildlife contact.

Ecosystem services, such as pollination, are crucial for food production and contribute significantly to the economy.

The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive tool for assessing the conservation status of species worldwide.

The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for global biodiversity conservation.

Brazil has established a large participatory conservation planning that includes all Brazilian biomes and prioritizes areas for conservation.

Despite efforts, Brazil's deforestation rates continue to rise, threatening its rich biodiversity.