Biodiversity: What is it and why it's important

     "Biodiversity means the diversity of life--- the rich diversity of life forms on our beautiful planet. Biodiversity is the very fabric of life---it provides the conditions for life's emergence and maintenance, and the many different ways in which that life is expressed" (Shiva, V. , 2011, pg.38). The diversity of life can be seen in all the different organisms all over the world, or in each individual ecosystem. This diversity has happened from years of evolutionary processes and from human involvement. Naturally evolution occurs, and creates new alleles, and also new species. These all have a purpose, some more than others. When humans interfere, we start killing of species that are needed to maintain certain populations. By removing forests, destroying the ocean, melting icebergs, and more, we are taking away habitats of animals that have survived there for years. Also, humans are making some animal species endangered or even extinct. Once these animals are gone, we will never get them back. In parts of the world, they need all parts of the environment to work together to be able to survive. The soil needs to be healthy to grow crops that are harvested and sold by farmers to feed their local community. The crops also help feed animals, who then are eaten by other animals, or humans. This cycle is continuous.

https://cdn.thinglink.me/api/image/847154813874470912/1240/10/scaletowidth

     "The diversity of life forms is also fast becoming the 'green oil' or raw material for the next industrial revolution based on the emerging biotechnologies" (Shiva, V. , 2011, p.39). During every industrial revolution, some form of the environment is being used. The first Industrial Revolution in the 1700s to mid 1800s, was when machines were introduced in manufacturing. Steam power and coal were two of the biggest sources of energy. Coal power led to the start of air pollution. Also, the need for growing factories overtook the need to preserve natural landscapes. People gave up farming to work in these factories. Their farms were leveled, and buildings were produced. The second Industrial Revolution took place in the late 1800s, and also saw the rise of more factories, but that dealt with the creation of metals. The  revolution Shiva talks about, is one where we are using a 'green oil' or raw material that will power biologically run technologies. This biotechnology is items in the environment that can be used to fuel the economy. Biotechnology examples are "vaccines, antibiotics, biofuels, pest and pesticide resistant crops, nutrient supplements", and more (Phillips, T. ). 

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/48/be/21/48be213541094b2cfe8ab73e7e1d15cd--honolulu-hawaii-hawaiian-islands.jpg

     Biodiversity is needed in all parts of the world, because some regions have no access to modern medicine and products. These regions rely on natural remedies, planting and harvesting crops, and hunting their food. Since there has been diversity in many species, certain plants are better to use as a healer than others, or grow better in that region. This is an adaption the plants species has made to be able to survive there. This can be compared to Darwin's finches that adapted to their specific island to survive. Humans also adapt to changing environments, and always will need to with new species and environmental changes. 

https://static.pexels.com/photos/158179/lake-constance-sheep-pasture-sheep-blue-158179.jpeg

Works Cited

Phillips, T. (n.d.). What Is Agricultural Biotechnology? Retrieved October 10, 2017, from https://www.thebalance.com/agricultural-biotechnology-examples-375753

Shiva, V. (2011). Excerpt from Tomorrow's Biodiversity: What is Biodiversity and Why is it Important. In University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future (pp.38-57). Acton, MA: XanEdu Publishing