Keating+Matrix+2

//While all of the above species are either threatened, endangered, or extinct, they only represent a small portion of those affected not only by natural selection, but mankind's impact on the consequences of climate change on the environment. Also keep in mind that the species affected are not only animals, but plants, microorganisms, and bugs alike.//

When we hear of “endangered species,” we instinctively think of animal loss; unfortunately this also includes bugs, plants, and microorganisms. While some may seem like their loss may not be influential to the overall life cycle, even the smallest organism plays an important role in the everyday cycle of growth and death (e.g. bees as pollinators). With this in mind, biodiversity incorporates all species of plants, animals, microorganisms, the gene diversity within each of those species, and different ecosystems; the single ecosystem represents a matrix itself with the inter-dependencies of all species involved (1).
 * Introduction **

As of January 2010, the top ten endangered species around the world were the Tiger, Polar Bear, Pacific Walrus, Magellanic Penguin, Leatherback Turtle, Bluefin Tuna, Mountain Gorilla, Monarch Butterfly, Javan Rhino, and the Giant Panda (4). Each of these, as well as those lost over the past few hundreds of years can find some connection to humans and the effects they are having on their habitats, food supply, and general health. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment released a report in 2005 summarizing the “substantial and largely reversible loss in diversity of life on Earth, with 20-30% of mammal, bird, and amphibian species currently threatened with extinction, due to human actions” (2). Other specific examples that are indicative of human involvement and climate change are the: declining amphibian populations, diminishing fish stocks and general decreasing ocean biodiversity, forest loss, and the mis-use of land and resources (2).

It’s common sense that biodiversity would boost an ecosystem’s productivity based on the number of organisms coming together for ultimate survival, as well as heighten the recovery from disasters with the increased health level of the ecosystem; the greater number and diverse nature of species living in the ecosystem ensures natural sustainability for all life forms (1). Some of the crucial functions of a healthy ecosystem are the protection of water resources, soil formation and protection, nutrient recycling and storage, and the contribution to climate stability (1).
 * Ecosystem stability and production**

Unfortunately, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I (WGI) Fourth Assessment Report details that from “1850 to 2005, the average global temperature increased by about 0.76ºC and the global mean sea level rose by 12 to 22 cm during the last century” (3). The elevated accumulation of greenhouse gases, which result from emissions from fossil fuel burning, farming, and changes in land usage, are thought to be a main cause harmful atmospheric changes which are then transferred to effects on Earth’s surface (3). This climate change is seen to impose on biodiversity to adapt either through “shifting habitat, changing life cycles, or the development of new physical traits” (3).

Nature magazine enlightened its readers that the chances of a species becoming extinct are deterred by genetic diversity. And to prevent the familiar and reported genetic problems caused by in-breeding, species require large gene variety to ensure their successful survival; without this, susceptibility to extinction only increases (1). Unfortunately, as man continues to “reduce, isolate, and destroy habitats, the chances for species with large gene pool to interact decreases, only feeding those genetic problems and extinction” (1). These mass extinctions caused by human impact are approaching 1000 times the normal rate, and may even climb to 10,000 times during the next century; at this rate, one-third to two-thirds of all species may be lost during the second half of the next century, possibly equaling those of all past extinctions combined (2). The natural speed of redevelopment restricts how biodiversity can rebuild after extinction; rapid extinction would only mean a longer time for recovery (2).
 * Effects from limiting biodiversity**

With the increasing demand for products to please consumers, there is a necessity for a larger number of plant species to correlate with greater crop variety (1). Even now, most medicines are derived from plants, most of which are now endangered (2). Other biological resources include foods, medical resources and pharmaceutical drugs, and future resources for future endeavors (1). Even as of 2006, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), an organization making compelling economic case for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, reported the growing dependence on natural resources for the top fields around the world (1):
 * Profit from natural resources**

Pharmaceutical, biotechnology -- $640 billion US dollars [25-50% derived from genetic resources] Agricultural seeds -- $70 billion US dollars from public companies alone [many products derived from genetic resources (e.g. microorganisms)] Personal care -- $12 billion US dollars Botanical -- $22 billion US dollars Food/beverage industries -- $31 billion US dollars

These figures put into question the ignorance and underestimation for these ‘free benefits;’ some day they won’t be able to replenish themselves and our dependency will diminish based on availability. A quote from TEEB for National and International Policy Makers in 2009 sums this concept up perfectly: // “Markets fail to capture most ecosystem survive values. Existing prices signals only reflect, at best, the share of total value that relates to provisioning services like food, fuel, or water and their prices may be distorted. ////Even these services often bypass markets where carried out as part of community management of shared resources. The values of other ecosystem services are generally not reflected in markets apart from a few exceptions (such as tourism). // //This is mainly explained by the fact that many ecosystem services are ‘public goods’ or ‘common goods’: they are often open access in character and non-rival in their consumption. In addition, their benefits are felt differently by people in different places and over different timescales. Private and public decisions affecting biodiversity rarely consider benefits beyond the immediate geographical area…. They can also overlook local public benefits … in favor of private benefits …, even when local livelihoods are at stake, or focus on short-term gains to the detriment of the sustained supply of benefits over time…. // //Benefits that are felt with a long-term horizon (e.g. from climate regulation) are frequently ignored. This systematic under-valuation of ecosystem services and failure to capture the values is one of the main causes underlying today’s biodiversity crisis. Values that are not overtly part of a financial equation are too often ignored.” (1) //

Some options for aiding in the solution to this growing problem would be to: - make markets reflect true costs of products, forcing consumers to make more informed choices on what they should consume (1) - reducing in meat production, thus allowing forests to flourish [while addressing sustainable forests v. sustainable profits from those organizations planting trees; pine/eucalyptus forests for raw industrial material generate both revenue and growth, but that growth can rob forests of biodiversity and their capacity to conserve soil/water] (1,2) - allow land currently used for ‘unhealthy’ or borderline-healthy products (e.g. tobacco) to be dedicated to more sustainable and healthy resources (1) - work more towards the battle of renewable energy resources (1) Other statistics: - The WWF released in 2006 that vertebrate species populations declined by 1/3 in 33 years from 1970-2003. At the same time, mankind’s ecological footprint has increased to point where Earth can’t keep up in battle to regenerate (2)
 * Conservation efforts and solutions**

- The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that 1 in 8 birds, 1 in 4 mammals, 1 in 4 conifers, 1 in 3 amphibians, and 6 in 7 marine turtles are currently threatened with extinction (2)

- 75% genetic diversity of agricultural crops have been lost (2)

- 75% world’s fisheries are fully or over exploited (2)

- Up to 70% known species risk extinction if global temperature rises by more than 3.5*C (2)

- One-third of reef-building corals around world are threatened with extinction (2)

- Every second a parcel of rainforest the size of football field disappears (2)

References: ** 1. Shah, Anup; “Why is biodiversity Important? Who Cares?;” [] ; last updated 18 November 2009. 2. Shah, Anup; “Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions;” [] ; last updated 1 December 2009. 3. “Climate Change and Biological Diversity;” Convention on Biological Diversity; [] ; 2010 copyright. 4. “Top 10 Endangered Species as of January 2010;” Telegraph, UK; [] ; 4 January 2010. // Organizations leading the way in awareness and conservation: //
 * Other links of interest: **

1. Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC); [] ; 2010 copyright. 2. EPA, Climate Change – Health and Environmental Effects: Ecosystems and Biodiversity; [] ; last updated 8 September 2009. 3. “Climate Change and Biodiversity: Our Work;” United Nations Environment Programme: World Conservation Monitoring Center; [] ; 2010 copyright. 4. World Wildlife Fund (WWF); [] ; 2010 copyright. 5. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); [] ; copyright 2010. 6. Text of Cartagena Biosafety Protocol; Convention on Biological Diversity; [] ; last updates 31 May 2007. // General links for more information on biodiversity: //

1. Shah, Anup; “Biodiversity links for more information;” [] ; last updated 18 November 2009. 2. DeFranza, David; Slideshow on ‘The Gruesome Impact of Traditional Medicine;’ TreeHugger; [] ; 15 April 2010. 3. “TEEB for Policy Makers – Responding to the Value of Nature: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity;” [] ; 2009 copyright. 4. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustiainability, Countdown 2010, European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC), and Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB); “Biodiversity and Climate Change;” [] ; 2008 copyright. 5. Shah, Anup; “Nature and Animal Conservation;” [] ; last updated 13 February 2010. 6. Shah, Anup; “Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions;” [] ; last updated 1 December 2009. All images were found from their individual species’ pages courtesy of Animal Port at [].
 * Picture credits: **