May 23, 2015 biodiversity is vital to keep all life on earth healthy, balanced and thriving. Improving our understanding of the status and vulnerability of maine s freshwater species and ecosystems is the primary goal of the. Threats to aquatic biodiversity threats to freshwater species 20% of freshwater fishes extinct or in serious decline extinctatrisk salmonsteelhead runs outnumber healthy by 3. Biodiversity and ecology of mainland freshwater wetlands describing the biodiversity and ecology of mainland freshwater wetlands of the moreton bay region is a challenge given the richness of their flora and fauna and the diversity of wetland types. In discussing threats to biodiversity it is important to keep in mind that, behind these direct drivers of biodiversity loss, there are a number of indirect drivers that interact in complex ways to cause humaninduced changes in biodiversity. Biodiversity or biological diversity a sum of all the different species of animals, plants, fungi, and microbial organisms living on earth and the variety of habitats in. Unless we successfully reduce the impacts of these threats, they will contribute to the loss of biodiversity components, negatively affect ecosystem integrity and. Biodiversity also underpins ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services. Improving our understanding of the status and vulnerability of maine s freshwater species and ecosystems is the primary goal of the maine aquatic biodiversity project.
However, the burning of fossil fuels in recent history has caused a dramatic increase in the levels of carbon dioxide in the earths atmosphere, which have now reached levels never before seen on earth. Freshwater wetlands of moreton bay quandamooka and catchments. The 2008 maine aquatic biodiversity general report executive summary 5 mb pdf provides an executive summary of information contained in the projects comprehensive technical report. Marine biodiversity, ecosystem services, habitat destruction, coral. Impact of human activities on biodiversity in nigerian aquatic ecosystems blessing julius oribhabor department of fisheries and aquatic environmental management, faculty of agriculture, university of uyo, p. Gibbs background although species extinctions are part of the evolutionary process, current extinction rates are much greater than at any time in the last several million years. The year 2010 has long been seen as an end goal, a time when we could look back and say, yes, weve done it that biodiversity, life on earth, is no longer threatened. Biodiversity is sensitive to even small changes in the earths climate. The threats to global aquatic biodiversity are very clearly known and the reasons can also be perceived. Terrestrial life evolved in aquatic environments and invaded land. Pdf marine ecosystems and aquatic habitats face a number of threats from humans.
The resources of the sea have been overharvested by humans thereby threatening marine biodiversity. Biodiversity has been continually under threat since the dawn of man. To date, the most significant causes of extinction are habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, and overharvesting. Start studying aquatic biodiversity threats and protection.
The main dangers worldwide are population growth and resource consumption, climate change and global warming, habitat conversion and urbanisation, invasive alien species, overexploitation of natural resources and environmental degradation. First up, we have habitat damage that become the first threats. Serious conservation attention and e orts should be drawn and directed towards restoration of fragmented marine habitats and estuarine ecosystems. Human demands for aquatic ecosystem quantity and quality now pose severe threats. The third focal area of the 2010 framework concerns the five major threats to biodiversity. While earths biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the earths magnificent biodiversity at risk. Identifying these threats can have little effect on the conservation, so it is advisable to mitigate the threats that can be a practical approach towards restoration. Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity. We document threats to global freshwater biodiversity under. Here, a global map has been generated that shows threats to both direct and indirect water. L andres aldo leopold wilderness research institute, forest service, u.
Maine aquatic biodiversity project technical report. Aquatic ecosystems support a substantial source of the earths biological diversity. An analysis of threats to marine biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems working paper pdf available may 2017 with 2,150 reads how we measure reads. Facts and figures on the threats to our marine ecosystems 2017. Biodiversity and functionality of aquatic ecosystems. Pdf an analysis of threats to marine biodiversity and. All the elements required for these ecosystem services depend on soil, and soil. Serious conservation attention and efforts should be drawn and directed towards restoration of fragmented marine habitats and estuarine ecosystems. Recognition of this need will require adoption of a new paradigm for biodiversity protection and freshwater ecosystem management one that has been appropriately. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels fluctuate in a cyclical manner. Current extinction rates are about 2,500 times the background rate at. Ijmbr 4 2016 3545 issn 2053180x anthropogenic threats to coastal and marine biodiversity. Sustaining aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services.
These presents as broadscale threats to marine biodiversity helm and. This technical report provides more details about information presented in the 2008 maine aquatic biodiversity general report executive summary 5 mb pdf. Current biodiversity changes are still largely driver by anthropogenic alteration of habitat. Impact of environmental factors on aquatic biodiversity in. They include demographic, economic, sociopolitical, cultural, religious, scientific and technological. Paterson encyclopedia of life support systems eolss an enclosed water body with a limited connection to the north sea via a narrow sound. Major threats biodiversity is under serious threat as a result of human activities. New and emerging threats, particularly climate change and water scarcity, are intensifying and will persist well into the future. Aquatic biodiversity threats and protection flashcards quizlet. Pdf condition, impacts and threats to aquatic biodiversity.
Water and biodiversity 1 introduction the links between the water sector1 and biodiversity involve both the impacts of the sector on biodiversity and the benefits the sector can receive from the ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. Aquatic biodiversity threats and protection flashcards. Serious conservation attention and efforts should be. Anthropogenic threats to coastal and marine biodiversity.
The threats to australias plants, animals and ecological systems are numerous and wide ranging. Major threats iucn freshwater fish specialist group. Sep 11, 2016 threats and conservation of terestial and aquatic biodiversity 1. Threats to biodiversity 6 major loss of biodiversity. One of the primary purposes of designated wilderness areas is protection of natural ecosystems. Freshwater biodiversity is the overriding conservation priority during the international decade for action water for life 2005 to 2015. Habitat loss occurs through deforestation, damming of rivers, and other activities. The sources of danger to biodiversity include taxonomicallyspeci. Pusey and others published condition, impacts and threats to aquatic biodiversity find, read and cite all the research.
Marine ecosystems and aquatic habitats face a number of threats from humans. Included are an introduction to the landscape, an overview of current knowledge, threats to freshwater biodiversity, and recommendations for conservation of. The water sector therefore should have a direct interest in safeguarding biodiver. Fresh waters are experiencing declines in biodiversity far greater than those in the most affected terrestrial ecosystems, and if trends in human demands for water remain unaltered and species losses continue at current rates, the opportunity to conserve much of the remaining biodiversity in fresh water will vanish before the water for life decade ends in 2015.
Just like human, both animal and plant also can have some disease. Jul 02, 2018 biodiversity has played an important role in creating the planet we live on and continues to help us improve our lives. Biodiversity threats weston w sechrest,university of virginia, charlottesville, virginia, usa thomas m brooks, center for applied biodiversity science conservation international, washington dc, usa any direct or indirect human activity that. Biodiversity is the variety of different forms of life on earth, including the different plants, animals, microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystem they form. Modernhumanactionsthreatenbiologicaldiversityona worldwidescale, overanextremelyshortgeologicaltime period. In 2002, governments set 2010 as a deadline to achieve a significant reductionin the. Biodiversity is under threat in many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as human population continues to increase and we take more resources from the environment and produce more waste. Mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrass beds, ocean acidification, if there is more co2 it will be diffused into the ocean, co2 will combine with the water and create carbonic acid. The multiple human stressors of aquatic ecosystems will interact with future climate change. The core threats to biodiversity are human population growth and unsustainable resource use. Paterson encyclopedia of life support systems eolss principally because of the physical and dynamic implications of life in an aquatic medium. So, the real value of biodiversity is beyond anything our mind can even imagine.
Concept 81b the key factors determining biodiversity in aquatic systems are temperature, dissolved oxygen content, availability of food. Impact of human activities on biodiversity in nigerian. Present status and prospects threats human activities are causing species to disappear at an alarming rate. I biodiversity and functionality of aquatic ecosystems david m. Biodiversity can be measured through the use of quantitativeindicators, although no single unified approach exists. An analysis of threats to marine biodiversity and aquatic. What will happen if a river has so many waste both. Both aquatic resources and its biodiversity are interrelated to each other and they perform a myriad of functions and are valuable and essential for the sustainability of biotic communities.
While the main threat to marine biodiversity is the exploitation and. Water security affects human wellbeing both directly and indirectly, through its effects on biodiversity. An analysis of threats to marine biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. Biodiversity threats weston w sechrest,university of virginia, charlottesville, virginia, usa thomas m brooks, center for applied biodiversity science conservation international, washington dc, usa any direct or indirect human activity that threatens the planets biological diversity in the. Often species, or biodiversity, declines in response to more than one category of threat, and the real threat is the combined or synergistic impact of changes brought about. Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. Major threats freshwater fishes may now be the most threatened group of vertebrates, based on more than 5,000 species assessed, to date, by the iucn reid et al. Sep 29, 2010 water security affects human wellbeing both directly and indirectly, through its effects on biodiversity. Greatest marine biodiversity in coral reefs, estuaries, deep ocean floor how are human activities are destroying and degrading aquatic habitat. Describe 2 ecological or economic services done by coral reefs. They are an essential reservoir and share an enormous proportion of earths biological productivity. Here are biodiversity s biggest threats, and what we can do to fight them. What are the major threats to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services.
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