Causes Of Biodiversity Loss Essay

Human activity has been causing loss of biodiversity for many years. In 1999 it was reported that biodiversity was being lost 1000 times faster than the natural rate (Environment News Service, 1999). Sadly, the rate of loss has not declined. In 2005, it was reported that there is “irreversible loss in the diversity of life on earth, with some 10-30% of the mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened with extinction, due to human actions.” (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). LESS TALK ABOUT BIODIVERSITY – MORE ABOUT ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN GENERAL

According to the 3rd Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3), (2010), the 5 main causes of biodiversity loss are:

1. Habitat loss and degradation

2. Climate change

3. Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution

4. Over-exploitation and unsustainable use

5. Invasive alien species

These influences are not abating, and are in the vast majority of cases driven by human activity. Man uses the earth to suit his own needs, and does not always have regard for the damage being done. So forests are removed to provide land for agriculture, emissions from fossil fuel combustion contributes to climate change, and excavation for the mining of mineral resources all have a detrimental effect on habitats and species survival. Landowners allow such development on their land, in order to maximize the profits they can yield per hectare of land.

It is being increasingly acknowledged that diverse habitats offer significant benefits to a wide