Biodiversity: what is it and how to protect it?

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the richness of species (animals, plants and microorganisms) that exist on our planet and their variations. This diversity may include variations occurring in a given species in a given region, community, habitats or ecosystems formed by them. Unfortunately, mainly due to human activity, this biodiversity is increasingly threatened.

The term "biodiversity", first used in 1985 by Walter G. Rosen, was defined in 1992 in the Convention on Biological Diversity as "variability among living organisms of all origins, including, among others, those of terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part - which includes diversity within species, between species and within ecosystems".

Biodiversity exists anywhere on the planet, being greater in some regions than in others. However, this does not mean that its importance is less, since each species has its role in nature and is fundamental to the balance of the ecosystem. Biodiversity is extremely vast and essential for the balance of the environment and human life, but we are also responsible for its destruction.

Every living being, even the smallest organisms, is important for the balance of our planet, establishing ecological relationships that result in the harmonious development of life. Just as an orchestra needs all instruments to create musical harmony, all forms of life play their role in balancing ecosystems. If an instrument stops playing, the music loses its harmony, in the same way that the reduction of diversity in a certain place can threaten the balance of that ecosystem.

When we lose this balance, we not only affect those species, but also our health, since treatments and prevention of various diseases were only achieved after intensive studies of biology and biodiversity. The protection of ecosystems is one of biodiversity's greatest allies, since, by changing our mentality and aiming to help the environment with small actions and practices, we are also combating the extinction of species.

In Portugal, there are more than 35 thousand species, but it is impossible to establish a global number in the world, as it is always increasing with the discovery of new species and decreasing due to extinction.

Currently, our planet is suffering from the great loss of biodiversity and, despite we know its importance, human beings continue to be responsible for such destruction. Among the biggest threats to biological diversity are: pollution, which triggers the death of several species and loss of their habitats; the introduction of exotic species into new ecosystems, which end up multiplying and competing with native species, harming their development; the deforestation, which, in turn, destroys habitats and encourages the excessive exploitation of natural resources; and, finally, climate change, which also affects living beings and ecosystems.

Having said that, we can understand that Man was responsible for putting biodiversity in danger, therefore, we also have a duty to save it. Therefore, through small and efficient actions, such as saving water, choosing sustainable products, avoiding food waste, promoting responsible consumption, donating to this cause and separating waste, we can make a difference.

As mentioned, biological diversity is fundamental in several aspects, as it has ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values. It is also fundamental for the proper functioning and balance of all ecosystems on the planet, all living beings participate in the food chain and many species need others to survive, meaning the removal of an organism can trigger ecological imbalance.

Furthermore, biodiversity also plays an important role for humans, since we use it as a source of food, energy, as raw material for the construction of various objects and we exploit it as a source of leisure and tourism.

In short, protecting biodiversity and all forms of life on planet Earth is a mission for all of us. Becoming aware of their threats and their importance is essential to better understand how to help and intervene, since their future is in our hands.