The word biodiversity appears constantly in the news and is usually related to apparently bad news, such as its decrease or environmental problems that affect it in a region.
See too:Five major man-made environmental disasters
After all, what is biodiversity?
O term biodiversity was created in 1985 from the junction of two words: diversity and biological. In a simplified way, we can say that biodiversity is the variety of species in an area. It therefore refers to all species of plants, animals, micro-organisms and others living beings of a particular region. In addition, it also includes the role of organisms in ecosystems.
O Brazil has a rich biodiversity, as it houses exclusive species, that is, they only exist here. Some of the species found here have great economic importance, being exported to various regions of the world. These species are also widely used for population consumption and even for the manufacture of important medicines.
All human beings need biodiversity, because that's where we get our foods, medicines and other products that are used to generate income, such as wood and some natural products. In addition, biodiversity ensures the planet's balance, allowing, for example, that pests do not proliferate in the environment and that there is no change in the volume of rains.
Biodiversity risks
Due to the great economic importance, humans make exaggerated use of natural resources, not worrying about the end of this wealth and the negative impacts generated by these acts. This sad reality causes a big problem: the reduction of biodiversity and the extinctionof several important species of living beings.
In addition to the unsustainable use of natural resources, the destruction of the habitat of some species and illegal hunting are examples of problems that lead to the loss of biodiversity. Currently the climate changes they have also had an important role in the reduction of species, since many living beings are not able to adapt to the new environment.
The loss of biodiversity causes several damages to the planet, directly affecting the food web of a region and causing the imbalance of ecosystems. Furthermore, the reduction of species greatly compromises a country's economy.
Read too:10 ways to preserve the environment
International Biodiversity Day
Given the importance of the species that live on our planet, the United Nations established, in 1992, that the May 22nd of all years would be celebrated the International Biodiversity Day. The date is intended to make people aware of the importance of protecting our planet's biological diversity.
