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):

Note: We are just 4 posts away from reaching 50 posts, everyone. Thank you again for all your support!

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!

Biodiversity Hotspots

 Hi readers! Today, we're writing about biodiversity hotspots!

What are biodiversity hotspots?

A biodiversity hotspot is a tropical region that contains unusually high levels of species diversity. These ares are characterised by a large number of endemic species, which are species that are found nowhere else in the world.

Some biodiversity hotspots facts are:

1)The Andes Mountains Tropical Hotspot is the world's most diverse hotspot. About one-sixth of all plant species in the world live in this region. The New Zealand archipelago is another hotspot. Life on New Zealand evolved in isolation, so the islands contain many species not found anywhere else.

2)Because biodiversity underpins all life on Earth, these hotspots have significant global value as they contain species and habitats that are found nowhere else.

3)Biological hot-spots include the Western Amazon (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), Madagascar, North and eastern Borneo, Northeastern Australia, West Africa, and the Brazilian Atlantic forrest. All of these areas have high diversity and many are threatened by human activities.

4)To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet a strict criteria: It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics. 

Here are some images:

Note: Thank you so much for all your support, everyone! We are now only 6 posts away from our 50th post!

Earth Day!

 Hi readers! Today, we'll be telling you about Earth Day, as it is coming soon!

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day symbolises the need to protect our mother nature. The day encourages every individual to think about environmental conservation and act accordingly.

Some facts:

1)This year's Earth Day theme is Planet vs. Plastic. 

 2)Earth Day was founded by American Senator Gaylord Nelson in the form of environmental education. The day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. 

 3)About one billion people participate in Earth Day each year.

Always remember that we don't just need one day to celebrate our planet. We need to take care of it every single day of the year.

Here is an image of Earth Day 2024:

 Every day is Earth Day!

DIY Sunday!

 Hi readers! Today, we're doing to DIY Sunday after a really long time. Hope you enjoy! 

Toilet roll bird feeder:

1) Using a popsicle stick, cover outside of toilet paper roll with peanut butter. 

2. Roll the peanut butter covered toilet paper roll in the bird seed until covered.

3. Thread a piece of twine through the toilet paper roll and knot.

4. Hang where birds can enjoy!

This is how the bird feeder should look (you can hang it horizontal or vertical, it's up to you!):

Note: Thanks for all the support that you have given us throughout this journey. We are now only 8 post away from our 50th post!

Extinct animals

Hi readers! Today, we will be posting about extinct animals and how they got extinct.

1) Animal: Dodo bird

When it got extinct: They were seen nearly 400 years ago and went extinct in the 1500s.

Why they got extinct: Dodos became extinct due to being hunted by Dutch sailors for meat. Unlike most birds, Dodos couldn't fly, meaning they were easier to catch and trap.

2) Animal: Thylacine

When it got extinct: The thylacine died out in New Guinea and mainland Australia around 3,600–3,200 years ago.

Why they got extinct: Beginning in the nineteenth century, they were perceived as a threat to the livestock of farmers and bounty hunting was introduced. The last known of its species died in 1936 at Hobart Zoo in Tasmania. 

3) Animal: West African Black Rhino

When it got extinct: The last West African Black Rhino was seen in Cameroon in 2006. It was declared officially extinct in 2011.

Why they got extinct: They mainly fell prey to poaching, as their horns were considered to have healing properties.

4) Animal: Mountain mist frog

When it got extinct: The mountain mist frog is the most recent species to go extinct. It was officially declared extinct in december, 2022, even though it was a living specimen not spotted since april 1990. 

Why they got extinct: It is believed to have been wiped out by chytrid fungus, a disease that attacks the skin and has destroyed amphibian populations across the globe, though a reduction in its natural habitat due to rising temperatures driven by greenhouse gases have also played a role.

 Some ways we can prevent this from happening in the future:

We can try to reduce illegal hunting, and stop polluting. We should also prevent deforestation, as trees are the habitats of many animals and give us oxygen.

Here are the images of the animals:

Mountain mist frog

Thylacine

West African black rhino

                                                                          Dodo

Today's fun fact: Did you know the Amazon are called the lungs of the planet and contribute to around 20% of the world's oxygen?

Stateless people

 Hey readers! Today, we will not be advocating something related to the environment as this issue has touched us, and we felt like we should advocate it. It is as important, though. Read on to find out more about stateless people in this article!

Who are stateless people?

Stateless people are people who have no nationality. They don't belong to any country. They have no official documents to prove their identity. They basically don't exist! Stateless people are invisible to the government and aren't citizens there.

 

What are some of the consequences of being stateless?

1) Stateless people can't have funerals, and when a baby is born, they won't be registered. So, statelessness can go on for generations!

2) They can't travel.

3) They can't legally marry.

4) They can't go to school or have a proper education.

5) They can't have jobs, which means they can't earn money. They usually have to work in the black market or labour market, and since they have no legal protection, it can be dangerous. Stateless people are sometimes even exploited!

 

What can we do to help?

We can try to advocate this issue. Maybe you could raise money for them, or donate some basic supplies. If writing books or making posters is your forte, you can do that too! Or like what we are doing, you can start a blog, but only on statelessness. Stateless people's lives are at stake, and it is up to us to protect them.

Here is an image of stateless people suffering: