What Is Biodiversity Crisis?

Biodiversity crisis is the accelerating loss of species diversity and ecosystems mainly because of human actions. Biodiversity crisis is a greater threat to the survival of human beings on the earth because human beings are entirely dependent on biodiversity for livelihoods. The direct uses of biodiversity includes food, fiber, medicine, fuel wood, timber, building materials, industrial products (waxes, rubber, oils), and like. The indirect benefits of biodiversity are mainly the ecosystems services such as water purification, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, soil and water conservation, water quality, pollination, nutrient cycling and like. Currently, a large number of poor people in the developing world rely directly

This has resulted in the loss of many valuable fauna and flora. Similarly, farmers in different countries tend to maintain those species that they think best meet the household and market requirement. This selective pressure has also contributed for the under-utilization and loss of many species. In general, human impacts on biodiversity have been dramatic, resulting in unprecedented losses in biodiversity, eventually causing biodiversity crisis. Factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity may vary from one country to another, however, the most important reasons that have contributed to biodiversity crisis are the following: deforestation, habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation of a species, expansion of agricultural land, unsustainable utilization, population pressure, expansion of improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, invasive alien species, climate change, pollution, urbanization, forest fire, diseases and

Human beings are directly or indirectly dependent on biodiversity to fulfill their basic needs. However, the dependency of human beings on biodiversity varies from country to country. People in most developing countries obtain their livelihood by directly or indirectly exploiting the biodiversity resources. The direct uses of biodiversity include: food, fiber, medicine, fuel wood, feed, construction materials etc. In many developing countries people still depend on biodiversity as primary source of medicine. For instance, in my country (Ethiopia) 80% of the total population is dependent on biodiversity as a primary source of medicine. As a result, the collection of medicinal plants from natural forests is increasing from time to time. Some of the harvesting methods currently used are also destructive for the species, and over-exploitation of a species is also common in some areas. Over-exploitation due to ever increasing population will continue to threaten biodiversity, there by affecting the survival of the