Biodiversity Loss

Hi readers! Today, we'll be writing about biodiversity loss. Read on to find out more!

What is biodiversity loss?

Biodiversity loss refers to the decline or disappearance of biological diversity, understood as the variety of living things that inhabit the planet, its different levels of biological organisation and their respective genetic variability, as well as the natural patterns present in ecosystems.

What are the causes and why does biodiversity matter? 

Biodiversity, or the variety of all living things on our planet, has been declining at an alarming rate in recent years, mainly due to human activities, such as land use changes, pollution and climate change.

Facts about biodiversity:

1) Biodiversity loss is the extinction and reduction of plant and animal species and ecological diversity.The past 50 years have seen a rapid growth of human consumption, population, global trade and urbanisation, resulting in humanity using more of the Earth’s resources than it can replenish naturally.

2) Loss of biodiversity undermines ecosystems' abilities to function effectively and efficiently and thus undermines nature's ability to support a healthy environment. This is particularly important in a changing climate in which loss of biodiversity reduces nature's resilience to change.

3) Climate change is causing biodiversity loss, and biodiversity loss is causing climate change. This is because we are destroying and degrading ecosystems releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than burning fossil fuels

4) Biodiversity loss endangers human's health by affecting soil and water(negatively), which are fundamental to food production.

Here is an image of biodiversity loss(the before and after):

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Mangroves!

 Hi readers! Today, we'll be teaching you about mangroves and how much they contribute to the environment. Enjoy!

What are mangroves?

A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows mainly in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangroves grow in an equatorial climate, typically along coastlines and tidal rivers. They have special adaptations to take in extra oxygen and to remove salt, which allow them to tolerate conditions that would kill most plants. 

What do mangroves do?

Mangroves provide essential habitats for thousands of species. They also stabilise shorelines, preventing erosion and protecting the land — and the people who live there — from waves and storms. Mangroves also provide a place for fishes to lay their eggs.

Benefits of mangroves:

In the right environmental conditions, mangroves can store the carbon they took from the atmosphere for decades, centuries, or even millennia.

• Mangroves protect against extreme weather and disasters.
• Mangroves are a haven for threatened animals.
• Mangroves boost food security.
• Mangroves can bounce back naturally.

Here is an image of mangroves:

Note: We are just 5 posts away from 50 posts! We all want to thank you again for all your support, teachers and our readers!