2023 - 2024
GRADE XII - COMMERCE
ECONOMICS PROJECT
TOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL
CRISIS - THE LOSS OF BIO
DIVERSITY
NAME: MEHRIN AAISHA K.B
CLASS: XII DIV: H
CBSE ROLL NO:
PROJECT MENTOR: Mrs. SANDHIA M.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I Meharin Aaisha K.B do hereby declare that this
project is my orginal work and I would like to
thank my teacher, Ms. Sandhia Manojkumar for
her whole hearted support and guidance for
making it possible to complete this project on
time.
I would also like to thank my friends and family
for their kind support and guidance without
which this project would not have completed.
Submitted By:
Registration No:
OBJECTIVES
Through my Economics project on ‘Bio Diversity
Loss’: I would like to:
- Identify the main causes of biodiversity loss
- Understand the consequences of biodiversity
loss on ecosystems
- Analyze the impact of human activities on
biodiversity decline
- Identify the key species affected by
biodiversity loss
- Explore potential solutions and strategies to
mitigate biodiversity loss
- Raise awareness about the importance of
biodiversity conservation
- Identify and analyze case studies of
successful biodiversity restoration projects
- Assess the economic and social implications
of biodiversity loss
- Evaluate the effectiveness of current
conservation efforts
- Provide recommendations and guidelines for
future conservation initiatives.
INDEX
INTRODUCTION
Biodiversity loss, a critical environmental crisis, refers to
the decreasing variety and abundance of plant and animal
species within ecosystems.
Human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and
climate change, have significantly contributed to this loss.
The declining biodiversity threatens the stability and
resilience of ecosystems, leading to potential negative
impacts on human well-being, including the loss of vital
ecosystem services such as food production, clean water,
and disease regulation. Urgent measures are required to
address and mitigate this crisis.
INTRODUCTION
The idea of biodiversity is most often associated with
species richness (the count of species in an area), and thus
biodiversity loss is often viewed as species loss from an
ecosystem or even the entire biosphere. However,
associating biodiversity loss with species loss alone
overlooks other subtle phenomena that threaten long-term
ecosystem health. Sudden population declines may upset
social structures in some species, which may keep
surviving males and females from finding mates, which
may then produce further population declines. Declines in
genetic diversity that accompany rapid falls in population
may increase inbreeding (mating between closely related
individuals), which could produce a further decline in
genetic diversity.
NATURAL BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Biodiversity in an area fluctuates with natural cycles
- Seasonal changes like spring increase biodiversity as
populations of many species rise
- Winter temporarily decreases biodiversity as warm-adapted
insects die and migrating animals leave
- The rise and fall of plant and invertebrate populations
determine an area's biodiversity
- Plant and invertebrates serve as food for other forms of life,
impacting biodiversity
- Biodiversity loss leads to permanent ecological changes
- Natural disturbances like wildfires, floods, and volcanic
eruptions can cause drastic changes in ecosystems
- These disturbances temporarily disrupt local populations
and transform whole biological communities
- However, ecosystems have adapted to natural disturbances
over time
- The long-term impact of biodiversity loss is more significant
and can have permanent effects on ecosystems, landscapes,
and the global biosphere
HUMAN-DRIVEN BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Humans and their activities have caused severe and
long-lasting biodiversity losses.
- Half of the world's habitable land has been converted
to agriculture.
- 77% of agricultural land is used for grazing by
livestock.
- This conversion of ecosystems has led to a 60%
decline in vertebrate populations worldwide since 1970.
- The greatest losses have occurred in freshwater
habitats and in South and Central America.
- The human population has doubled between 1970 and
2018, and the biomass of humans and their livestock
outweighs the biomass of wild mammals and birds.
- The current rate of species loss is estimated to be
between 100 and 10,000 times the background
extinction rate.
- A 2019 report states that up to one million plant and
animal species are facing extinction due to human
activities.
HUMAN - DRIVEN BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Forest clearing, wetland filling, stream channeling, road and
building construction are common activities in efforts to
transform landscapes or regions.
- These activities are driven by human population growth and
the need for food production, adaptation of landscapes for
settlements, and trade for economic development.
- The transformation of ecosystems through these activities
often leads to significant changes in ecological trajectories.
- Biodiversity losses are typically observed as a consequence
of these processes.
HUMAN - DRIVEN BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Researchers have identified five important drivers of biodiversity loss:
Habitat loss and degradation—which is any thinning,
fragmentation, or destruction of an existing natural habitat—
reduces or eliminates the food resources and living space for most
species. Species that cannot migrate are often wiped out.
Invasive species—which are non-native species that significantly
modify or disrupt the ecosystems they colonize—may outcompete
native species for food and habitat, which triggers population
declines in native species. Invasive species may arrive in new areas
through natural migration or through human introduction.
Overexploitation—which is the harvesting of game animals, fish, or
other organisms beyond the capacity for surviving populations to
replace their losses—results in some species being depleted to very
low numbers and others beingdriven to extinction.
Pollution—which is the addition of any substance or any form of
energy to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed,
diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form—
contributes to biodiversity loss by creating health problems in
exposed organisms. In some cases, exposure may occur in doses
high enough to kill outright or create reproductive problems that
threaten the species’s survival.
Climate change associated with global warming—which is the
modification of Earth’s climate caused by the burning of fossil fuels
—is caused by industry and other human activities. Fossil fuel
combustion produces greenhouse gases that enhance the
atmospheric absorption of infrared radiation (heat energy) and trap
the heat, influencing temperature and precipitation patterns.
HUMAN - DRIVEN BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Habitat loss and invasive species are the primary drivers
of biodiversity loss
- Climate change could become a primary driver in the
future
- Species tolerance limits and nutrient cycling processes
are adapted to existing temperature and precipitation
patterns
- Some species may not be able to cope with
environmental changes from global warming
- Environmental changes from climate change may
provide new opportunities for invasive species
- All five drivers are influenced by the growth of the
human population and its consumption of natural
resources
HUMAN - DRIVEN BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Interactions between multiple drivers are increasing the pace of
biodiversity loss.
- Fragmented ecosystems are less resilient than contiguous ones.
- Clear-cutting of land for farms, roads, and residences provides
opportunities for non-native species invasions, further impacting
native species.
- Habitat loss and hunting pressure are contributing to the decline
of iconic species like the Bornean orangutan.
- Between 1971 and 2011, 2,000-3,000 Bornean orangutans were killed
by hunters each year.
- The cultivation of oil palm in Indonesia and Malaysia has further
threatened the survival of the Bornean orangutan.
- Palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia saw a 900%
increase between 1980 and 2010.
- The clearing of Borneo's tropical forests for palm oil cultivation
has resulted in habitat loss for the Bornean orangutan and
numerous other species.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
- Biodiversity loss has the most significant impact on species
with decreasing populations.
- Loss of genes and individuals jeopardizes the long-term
survival of a species.
- Scarce mates and increased risks from inbreeding result
from the loss of genes and individuals.
- The wholesale loss of populations heightens the risk of
species extinction.
- Biodiversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem health.
- Decreasing biodiversity negatively impacts an ecosystem's
productivity.
- Lower biodiversity also reduces the quality of ecosystem
services.
- Ecosystem services include maintaining soil, purifying
water, and supplying food and shade.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
- Biodiversity loss threatens the structure and
functioning of ecosystems.
- Reductions in biodiversity lead to a decrease in
ecosystem complexity.
- Roles once played by multiple species or individuals
are now played by fewer or none.
- Ecosystems lose their ability to recover from
disturbances.
- Beyond a critical point of species removal,
ecosystems can become destabilized and collapse.
- The ecosystem undergoes rapid restructuring and
transforms into something else.
That is, it ceases to be what it was (e.g., a tropical forest, a
temperate swamp, an Arctic meadow, etc.) and undergoes
a rapid restructuring, becoming something else (e.g.,
cropland, a residential subdivision or other urban
ecosystem, barren wasteland, etc.). in bullet points
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Reduced biodiversity leads to ecosystem
homogenization.
Specialist species are vulnerable to population
declines and extinction when conditions
change.
Generalist species and species favored by
humans become dominant in ecosystems.
Loss of specialist and unique species reduces
ecosystem complexity and distinctiveness.
Food chains and nutrient-cycling processes
become more similar in ecosystems with
reduced biodiversity
ECONOMIC ND SOCIETAL EFFECTS
- Biodiversity loss affects economic systems and
human society.
- Humans rely on various organisms for food, building
materials, and medicines.
-Availability of these resources as commodities is
important to many cultures.
- The loss of biodiversity threatens global food security.
-Loss of biodiversity hinders the development of new
pharmaceuticals to tackle future diseases.
-Simplified and homogenized ecosystems result in an
aesthetic loss.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIETAL EFFECTS
- Economic scarcities in common food crops are more noticeable than
biodiversity losses in distant ecosystems and landscapes.
- Cavendish bananas, the most commonly imported variety, are at risk
of extinction due to their lack of genetic diversity and vulnerability to
the Tropical Race 4 (TR4) fungus.
- Overreliance on a few high-producing crop varieties has resulted in
the extinction of 75 percent of food crops since 1900.
- Lack of biodiversity among crops threatens food security as it makes
them susceptible to disease, pests, invasive species, and climate
change.
- Similar trends can be seen in livestock production, where high-
producing breeds are preferred over wilder, lower-producing breeds.
- Mainstream and traditional medicines can be made from rare plants
and animals' chemicals.
- Lost species mean missed chances to develop new treatments and
cures.
- Fungi in three-toed sloths' hairs produce medicines that combat
malaria, Chagas disease, and human breast cancer
SOLUTIONS TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Biodiversity loss is a result of underlying drivers that present
.conservation challenges.
- Conservation biologists suggest a combination of public
policy and economic solutions, as well as monitoring and
education, to address these challenges.
- Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the scientific
community is crucial to creating incentives for habitat
conservation and species protection.
- Disincentives should be implemented to discourage behavior
contributing to habitat loss and degradation.
- Sustainable development should be considered when
developing new farmland and human living spaces.
- Strengthening and enforcing laws against poaching and
wildlife trade is important.
- Ports should inspect materials for stowaway organisms.
- Developing and implementing solutions for causes of
biodiversity loss can relieve pressure on species and
ecosystems.
- The most effective way to prevent continued biodiversity
loss is to protect remaining species and keep their habitats
and ecosystems intact.
- Efforts to monitor the status of individual species are critical
for prioritizing conservation efforts.
- The Red List of Threatened Species and the United States
Endangered Species list are important tools for decision
makers.
- "Hot spots" are regions of high endemism that contain
unique species not found elsewhere on Earth.
- Ecological hot spots are typically found in tropical
environments with higher species richness and biodiversity.
SOLUTION TO BIODIVERSITY LOSS
- Concerted actions by governments are crucial for
.
protecting biodiversity
- Many national governments have conserved parts of
their territories under the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD)
- The Aichi Biodiversity Targets were introduced in 2010 to
increase biodiversity protection by 2020
- 164 countries have developed plans to achieve these
targets
- One of the main targets was to protect at least 17% of
terrestrial and inland waters, and 10% of coastal and
marine areas
- As of January 2019, 7.5% of the world's oceans and 14.9%
of land areas had been protected by national governments.
RELATION TO ECONOMY
. Biodiversity creates significant economic value in the
form of such ecosystem services as food provisioning,
carbon storage, and water and air filtration, which are
worth more than $150 trillion annually—about twice the
world’s GDP—according to academic research and BCG
analysis.
Five primary pressures—land-use and sea-use change,
direct overexploitation of natural resources, climate
change, pollution, and the spread of invasive species—
are causing steep biodiversity loss. Already, the decline
in ecosystem functionality costs the global economy
more than $5 trillion a year in the form of lost natural
services.
Many business activities, especially activities related
to resource extraction and cultivation, contribute to the
pressures driving biodiversity loss. The operations of
four major value chains—food, energy, infrastructure,
and fashion—currently drive more than 90% of man-
made pressure on biodiversity.
As ecosystems decline, business faces significant risks,
including higher raw material costs and a backlash from
consumers and investors. But the crisis also creates real
opportunity. Companies that act to support biodiversity
can develop powerful new offerings and business models,
improve the attractiveness of existing offerings, and lower
operating costs.
CASE STUDY
.Title: The Loss of Biodiversity in the Amazon Rainforest
Introduction:
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the
Earth," is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity. However, over
the past century, this unique ecosystem has been facing an
alarming loss of biodiversity due to various human activities. This
case study explores the causes, consequences, and potential
solutions to the issue of biodiversity loss in the Amazon rainforest.
Causes of Biodiversity Loss:
1. Deforestation: Large-scale logging, agriculture (especially cattle
ranching and soybean cultivation), and infrastructure
development, such as road construction, have contributed to the
deforestation of vast areas of the Amazon rainforest. This
destruction of habitats has resulted in the displacement and
extinction of numerous plant and animal species.
2. Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Amazon rainforest is home to
countless species of wildlife, including endangered ones like
jaguars, tapirs, and macaws. The illegal trade of these animals,
fueled by demand for exotic pets, traditional medicines, and rare
products, has put additional pressure on their populations.
3. Climate Change: Rising global temperatures, caused by
greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, have been
impacting the Amazon rainforest. Increased droughts, more
frequent fires, and altered rainfallpatterns are threatening the
survival of various species in the region
CASE STUDY
.
Consequences of Biodiversity Loss:
1. Ecosystem Disruption: The loss of biodiversity in the Amazon
rainforest disrupts the delicate balance and functioning of the
ecosystem. Many species have specific roles in maintaining the
health and stability of the forest, such as seed dispersal, pollination,
and nutrient cycling. The disappearance of these species can lead
to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
2. Threat to Indigenous Communities: The Amazon rainforest is
home to numerous indigenous communities who rely on its
biodiversity for their livelihoods and cultural practices. Biodiversity
loss deprives these communities of resources needed for food,
medicine, and traditional ceremonies. It also poses a risk to their
traditional knowledge and way of life.
3. Climate Change Impact: The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial
role in mitigating climate change by acting as a carbon sink,
absorbing and storing large quantities of carbon dioxide.
Biodiversity loss weakens the forest's ability to sequester carbon,
contributing to further climate change and exacerbating global
warming.
CASE STUDY
.
Potential Solutions:
1. Strengthening Protected Areas: Expanding and effectively managing
protected areas within the Amazon rainforest can help preserve
biodiversity by providing safe havens for endangered species and their
habitats. Strict enforcement of regulations against illegal logging and
wildlife trade is essential in these areas.
2. Sustainable Land Use Practices: Promoting sustainable land use
practices, such as agroforestry and responsible cattle ranching, can
minimize deforestation and promote biodiversity conservation. The
adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of
organic methods and reduced chemical inputs, can also help preserve
the ecosystem.
3. Indigenous Land Rights: Recognizing and respecting the land rights
of indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest is crucial.
Empowering these communities to manage and protect their territories
can ensure the conservation of biodiversity while preserving their
unique cultures and ways of life.
4. International Cooperation: Collaboration between countries and
international organizations is necessary to address the issue of
biodiversity loss in the Amazon rainforest effectively. International
agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the
Paris Agreement, provide a framework for cooperation and shared
responsibility in protecting the world's biodiversity and combating
climate change.
CASE STUDY
.Potential Solutions:
1. Strengthening protected areas: Expand and enforce
protected areas in the Amazon rainforest to provide safe
spaces for endangered species and combat illegal activities.
2. Sustainable land use practices: Promote responsible
farming and ranching methods, such as agroforestry and
reduced use of chemicals, to minimize deforestation and
preserve biodiversity.
3. Indigenous land rights: Respect and empower indigenous
communities to manage and protect their territories,
preserving both biodiversity and cultural heritage.
4. International cooperation: Collaboration between countries
and organizations is crucial in addressing biodiversity loss,
utilizing frameworks such as international agreements to
protect the Amazon rainforest and combat climate change.
CASE STUDY
Conclusion:
.
The loss of biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest is a
critical issue with far-reaching consequences. It requires
immediate and concerted efforts from governments,
organizations, and individuals to protect and restore the
unique ecosystems of this invaluable region. By
implementing sustainable land use practices,
strengthening protected areas, respecting indigenous land
rights, and fostering international cooperation, it is
possible
MEDIA ARTICLES
.
FINDINGS AND SUGGESTION
.- Loss of habitat is a major contributing factor to the loss of
biodiversity. Deforestation, urbanization, and land degradation are
some of the main causes of habitat destruction.
- Overexploitation of natural resources, such as overfishing and
illegal poaching, leads to a decline in biodiversity.
- Pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, has detrimental
effects on ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.
- Climate change impacts biodiversity by altering habitats,
increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, and
disrupting the life cycles of various species.
- Invasive species outcompete and displace native species, leading
to a loss of biodiversity.
- Fragmentation of ecosystems, caused by infrastructure
development, disrupts the connectivity of habitats and limits the
movement and gene flow of species.
FINDINGS AND SUGGESTION
.- Lack of awareness and education about the importance
of biodiversity conservation contributes to its loss.
- Government policies and regulations play a key role in
the protection and conservation of biodiversity.
- There is a need for effective international collaboration
and cooperation to address the global issue of biodiversity
loss.
- Sustainable practices and responsible consumption can
help minimize the negative impacts on biodiversity.
- Establishing and expanding protected areas and
implementing conservation plans are vital for the
preservation of biodiversity.
CARICTURES
.
CONCLUSION
.1. The loss of biodiversity poses a serious threat to ecosystems and the
natural balance of our planet.
2. It results in the decline of various plant and animal species, reducing their
genetic diversity.
3. The loss of biodiversity disrupts food chains and can lead to the extinction
of certain species, affecting the overall health and stability of ecosystems.
4. It impacts ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and
natural pest control, which are vital for agriculture and human well-being.
5. The decrease in biodiversity reduces the resilience of ecosystems, making
them more susceptible to climate change, disease outbreaks, and invasive
species.
6. The loss of biodiversity may lead to the loss of potential sources for new
medicines and other products with economic value.
7. Addressing the loss of biodiversity requires urgent conservation efforts,
including protecting habitats, implementing sustainable practices, and
raising awareness to promote the importance of biodiversity conservation.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
.www.britannica.com
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www.docs.google.com
www.canva.com
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www.iberdola.com
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