Biodiversity
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Biological Diversity or Biodiversity simply refers to the variety of all life forms i.e. the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. Biodiversity exists in millions and everywhere around the world. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity says there are some 13 million species, of which 1.75 million have been described but a more updated figure comes from an analysis of the IUCN's 2008 Red List of Threatened Species which states that 1.8 million species have been described out of an estimated 5 million to 30 million in existence. This confirms that we are still living in a world of the unknown when it comes to biodiversity.
Biodiverisity Hotspots.
Biodiversity is not evenly disrtibuted on Earth. It is greatest in the tropics and tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10 percent of earth's surface, and contain about 90 percent of the world's species. These areas of high biodiversity density are known as Biodiversity Hotspots.
Did you know Seventy per cent of the world's species is found in just 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico and Peru.
Did you know Brazil is the most biodiverse country in the world?
Did you know Congo is the most biodiverse country in Africa?
Did you know the Bamenda Highlands Forest Ecosystem is a biodiversity hotspot in Cameroon?
Why is biodiversity important?
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Biodiversity and it's services are estimated at trillions of US Dollars. Imagine if we were to pay for pollination services or pay for the oxygen we breathe? These are just some examples to prove that ecosystem services are very important. We dependend on biodiversity for sustenance, health, well-being and enjoyment of life. The food we eat, the air we breathe, our medicines, water, shelter, timber and almost all we need in life comes from nature.
Nature is not dependent on us, we are dependent on nature. Man does not own nature, we are a part of nature.
But how are we treating biodiversity?
@Biodiversity shall point out how man is a threat to biodiversity as well as the consequences of biodiversity loss in tomorrow's blog.
For now, what are some of the biodiversity hotspots in your community?
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