Question 1

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. The number of species of plants,

animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the

variety of ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part

of a biologically diverse Earth. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each

species has an important role to play.

Biodiversity provides countless benefits to humans. Some of these benefits

directly come in the form of goods that can be extracted and sold. These goods include

everything from all the domesticated agricultural crops that form the basis of the world's

food supply, to medicines that protect and cure us to the fiber that make up the clothes we

wear.

Economic Values

The provision of food is the most fundamental benefit that humans get from a rich

source of biodiversity. Humans have always depended on animals and plants for food.

We consume meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and other natural products in order to survive. 

Biodiversity contributes a rich source of medicine. In the field of medicine alone,

approximately 50% of current prescription medicines are derived from natural

substances. Wild species have been used as sources of drugs for thousands of years. The

medicinal potential of plants and animals is often considered a strong reason to conserve

biodiversity as some species are highly valued for their medicinal properties.

From the aspect of commercial market, humans have traditionally used plant and

animal products like wool and fur for clothing, and wood for building

construction and fuel. Other plant and animal products used in industry include

feathers, skins, glues, rubber, oils, waxes, starches and dyes. Industries based on

rainforests such as forestry, fisheries, mining, pharmaceuticals and tourism

provide billions of dollars to the global economy.

Ecosystem Values

 Biodiversity also provides critical indirect benefits to humans in the form of

ecosystem services, such as air and water purification, climate regulation, protects areas

from soil erosion, floods and other harmful weather conditions. Vegetation cover helps to

protect soils from erosion.  Woodlands and hedges provide useful windbreaks in farm

areas, and the vegetation on mudflats and sand dunes can help protect coastal areas from

erosion by the sea and wind.

Ecosystems ensure climate change by maintaining a healthy balance of gases in

the atmosphere. Trees and other plants store carbon and help prevent the build-up of

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus reducing the risk of global warming. Plants absorb

greenhouse gases, thus maintain proper gaseous concentrations in the atmosphere and

prevent rapid climate changes.

Biodiversity also plays an important role in protecting our settlements from extreme

weather. Coastal communities affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamis and last year’s

United States’ Gulf Coast hurricanes, for example, experienced increased devastation in

large part due to the diminished mangrove forests, coral reefs, or wetlands that previously

protected these areas.

Biodiversity also aids in pollination and biological control. Some animals,

especially birds, bats and insects perform important functions as pollinators of food

plants such as vegetables and fruit, and are also often the natural enemies of weeds, pests

and diseases that can harm crops.

Cultural Values

Other than that, biodiversity also has cultural values. Historically, some species

have played an important role in the folklore and traditions of many cultures. Species

may also have heritage value as national symbols: for example, in Ireland, the three

leafed clover (Trifolium) symbolizes the nation’s identity and heritage. Indigenous

cultures sometimes recognize biodiversity's value in religious traditions based on

honouring the Earth.

Recreational and Aesthetic Values

Biodiversity also has important recreational and aesthetic values.  Biodiversity provides

an aesthetic and sympathetic basis for our lives. We engage in tourism, gardening, bird

watching, keeping pets, flower-arranging and many more activities which depend entirely

upon biodiversity. In North America, natural and wild landscapes are aesthetically

pleasing and provide opportunities to get away from human-dominated landscapes. They

also provide opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, bird

watching and nature photography.

Malaysia’s National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD)

Malaysian government has carried out numerous efforts to sustain the variety of

biodiversities in Malaysia. On 16 April 1998, the Ministry of Science, Environment and

Technology had introduced Malaysia’s National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD)

to guide planning, conservation, sustainable utilisation and management of biodiversity in

Malaysia. This policy aims to conserve Malaysia’s biological diversity and to ensure that

its components are utilised in a sustainable matter for the continued progress and social-

economic development of the nation. The vision of this policy is to transform Malaysia

into a world centre of excellence in conservation, research and utilization of tropical

biodiversity by the year 2020.

In-situ Conservation

To conserve the diversity of biological species in Malaysia, a number of in-situ

measures have been initiated. Many representative natural ecological habitats have been

maintained to sustain breeding populations of flora and fauna. The network of protected

areas on land, as of 1992, includes 2.12 million hectares of National and State Parks,

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Turtle Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserves. Another 3.43 million

hectares of natural forest within the Permanent Forest Estate of 14.28 million hectares are

protected as water catchment areas.

Ex-situ Conservation

Other than in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation is also being practiced. Ex-

situ conservation maintains species outside their original habitats in facilities such as

arboreta, zoological gardens, seed gene banks, in vitro gene banks and field gene banks.

Seed gene banks are considered safe and cost-effective for seed-producing crop species.

Field and in vitro gene banks are particularly useful for species with seeds that are

difficult to store. Ex-situ conservation makes it easier for scientists to access, study,

distribute and use plant genetic resources. Ex-situ conservation of plants is being carried

out in arboreta and small collection centres, whereas animals are being maintained in

zoos, rehabilitation centres and captive breeding centres. Meanwhile, collections of

specific microorganisms are deposited in universities and research institutions.

Development activities in the various economic sectors have profound impacts on

biological diversity. To minimize such adverse impacts and to promote the conservation

of biological diversity and the sustainable development of its components, it is essential

that such considerations are incorporated into development plans at the planning stage

itself. Biological diversity considerations are addressed in the policy to ensure effective

coordination and integration. The development plans concerned are the Five-year

Development Plans and the Second Outline Perspective Plan (1991-2000) which

embodies the New Development Policy.

Legislations

In Malaysia, most of the legislation regarding environmental conservation is

sector-based, for instance, the Fisheries Act 1985 deals mainly with the conservation and

management of fisheries resources, the Protection of Wild Life Act 1972 deals with the

protection of wildlife, and the National Forestry Act 1984 deals with the management and

utilization of forests alone.

Langkawi Declaration on the Environment and Development 1989

Malaysia also joined other countries in the world in supporting the efforts to

sustain biodiversities. The Langkawi Declaration on the Environment and Development

of 1989 by the Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries marked a significant

step in the evolution of Malaysia's prominent role in environmental issues in international

level. This role was further strengthened in the negotiations leading to the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro,

Brazil.

Convention on Biological Diversity 1994

Malaysia had also ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity on 24th June

1994. The Convention reaffirms the sovereign rights of States over their biological

resources and their responsibility for conserving their biological diversity and utilizing

the biological resources in a sustainable manner. To achieve the above, Malaysia had

developed national strategies regarding biodiversity conservation. The government had

been asking assistance from private companies to provide financial support and

incentives to their national activities to achieve the objectives of the Convention. Every

year, Malaysian government will present their measures taken for the implementation of

the provisions of the Convention and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives.

Common Vision on Biodiversity (2009)

The Common Vision on Biodiversity (2009) aims to implement some of the

strategies outlined in the NPBD especially at the ecosystem level and manages

biodiversity in an holistic manner by incorporating it in planning and development

process. The Common Vision promotes a three-pronged approach and outreach strategy

which are strengthening the Protected Area System, landscape management for

biodiversity and mainstreaming of biodiversity. The Common Vision on Biodiversity

provides for government and all relevant stakeholders towards a shared perception of

issues, priorities and the required integrated actions for the better management of

biodiversity. It is a framework that will support the ongoing transformation of

environmental planning and management from a largely sector-based to an integrated

approach.

How Human Activities result in Species Extinction

Extinction refers to the loss of species which occur when there are no surviving

individuals elsewhere. The extinction of any species is an irreversible loss of part of the

biological richness of the Earth. Direct effects such

as overexploitation, pollution and habitat destruction and indirect effects as a result

of climate change have been the major reasons for species extinction.

The pace of extinction has accelerated dramatically as a result of human activity.

Ecosystems are being fragmented or eliminated, and innumerable species are in decline

or already extinct. We are creating the greatest extinction crisis since the natural disaster

that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

Deforestation

Deforestation results in loss of forest, main habitat for animals. Trees have been

chopped down to make way for increasing infrastructure development and construction

of residential areas. Forests are home for much of the known terrestrial biodiversity, but

about 45 per cent of the Earth's original forests are gone, cleared mostly during the past

century. Though there are efforts to replant trees, the world's total forests are still

shrinking rapidly, particularly in the tropics.

As more forests are chopped down, there are lesser trees to absorb carbon dioxide

and releases oxygen into the atmosphere. The imbalance composition of air results in

climate change. As global air or sea temperature changes, even by just 1 or 2 degree

Celsius, the habitats in which species live will also change and may even become

uninhabitable to some species. Climate change is projected to become a progressively

more significant threat to biodiversity in the coming decades. In Europe, over the last

forty years, the beginning of the growing season has advanced by 10 days on average.

These types of changes can alter food chains

Urbanization

Urbanization has dramatically increased the rate of habitat loss and change.

Sprawling development is consuming land at a rate of five or more times the rate of

population growth, destroying wildlife habitat and degrading water quality. Dredging,

draining, bulldozing, and paving the land for housing developments, malls, business

parks, and new roads destroy habitat. As a result, organisms living in the previous habitat

are forced to immigrate to other areas. Some organisms may not be able to adapt to the

new environment, hence it results in their death, thus reducing the size of the species.

Pollution

Fragmentation of habitats has also been caused by pollution. Human activities

contribute a significant amount of air, water and land pollution. The increase of motor

vehicles and factories release a lot of poisonous waste into the air and water. Open

burning is still practiced in many parts of the Earth as many people think that it is the

easiest way to clear rubbish. Meanwhile, the burying of radioactive wastes and excessive

use of chemical fertilizers has also resulted in land pollution.

Pollution is the cause of death for millions of animals and plants around the world

every year. The accumulation of phosphorus and nitrogen, largely from excess fertilizers

running off farmland, and from sewage and other effluents, causes the build-up of algae

able to benefit from the added nutrients. The algae themselves can be toxic and therefore

create a health hazard, but the greatest damage to biodiversity is caused when they

decompose and use up large quantities of oxygen in the water, creating “dead zones”

where other forms of life cannot survive. The continuing release pollutants from urban

and agricultural sources combined with projected growth in coastal development and

agricultural intensification may lead to a multiplication of the number of dead zones.

Acid rain forms when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the

atmosphere. The chemicals are absorbed by water droplets in the clouds, and eventually

fall to the earth as acid precipitation. Acid rain increases the acidity of the soil which

affects plant life. It can also disturb rivers and lakes to a possibly lethal level.

Intensive Farming Practices

Intensive farming practices also contribute to the loss of biodiversity. For

example, huge areas of rainforest in South America are cleared for farming. In Ireland,

upland open habitats, such as rough grassland, scrub and heath, have been changed by

agriculture. Often large areas of land are planted with a single crop (monocultures) which

greatly reduces the level of biodiversity in that area. Besides, extensive use and

concentrations of chemical and biological pesticides are typical practices in modern-day

farming. This causes the soil to be contaminated with various chemicals which is harmful

to the health of soil’s organisms.

Over-exploitation

Other than that, over-exploitation of biodiversity and wildlife trade continues to

be major threats. Many species are being hunted by humans to fulfil basic needs such as

food and goods. Many species are in a state of decline because they are being used at

unsustainable levels or are being harvested in such a way that threatens the ecosystems on

which they depend. These declines are widespread and have been reaching an alarming

rate. The lack of strict law and enforcement by officials makes the problem even worse.

How Poor Management of Biodiversity Affects Biosphere

Biosphere refers to part of Earth where all life exists. Ecosystem is an important

concept for biosphere. This is where all of the trees, bugs, and animals live. The

biosphere extends to the upper areas of the atmosphere where birds and insects can be

found. It also reaches deep into the ground at a dark cave or to the bottom of the  ocean.

The land interacts with the water (hydrosphere), air (atmosphere and climates) and also

with forces deep inside the Earth and the energy coming to the Earth from space. All of

those forces work together to create our living world. 

The functioning of the biosphere is dependent on the combination of all existing

ecosystems.  Our very existence depends on this process functioning properly.  Every

organism has its niche in the environment.  Once it is gone, it may not be able to be

replaced by any other organism.

Loss of diversity can cause drastic change to the biosphere. The loss of one

species may cause a chain reaction, resulting in a change to the ecosystem itself. One

species may be necessary for the survival of another species. Food web depicts feeding

connections (what-eats-what) in an ecological community, therefore an animal or plant is

the main or only food source for another, its extinction will cause a domino effect.   Other

species will also die after the original one is lost. When this happens, there will be no

more living things in the Earth. Human beings could no longer enjoy the benefits

provided by the ecosystems.

The loss of certain species, which are known as “keystone” species will affect the

whole ecosystem, dealing a heavy blow to our already damaged biosphere. This is

because these species have unusually important roles in their ecosystems.  Fluctuation

in their population can cause dramatic effects on the entire system.  In ecosystems such as

those off the coast of California there is a complex relationship between three keystone

species:  the sea otter, the sea urchin and the kelp itself.  If any one of these organisms

declines severely in population, the whole ecosystem is changed.  

Deforestation also contributes to the loss of biodiversity, thus affecting our

biosphere. Though forest soils are moist, but without protection from sun-blocking tree

cover they quickly dry out. Trees also help to perpetuate the water cycle by returning

water vapour back into the atmosphere. Trees also ground the water in their roots and

releasing it into the atmosphere. In the Amazon, more than half the water in the

ecosystem is held within the plants. Without trees to fill these roles, many former forest

lands can quickly become barren deserts. When this happens, the soil is no longer

suitable for farming. This will further reduces the amount of land available for

agriculture, thus worsens the food crisis, causing more people to starve.

Climate change also occurs with the loss of biodiversity. This is because trees

play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming. When

trees absorb these greenhouse gases, it releases oxygen that will cool down the Earth.

According to United States’ Department of Agriculture, the net cooling effect of a young,

healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.

Therefore, fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the

atmosphere. When this happens, the speed and severity of global warming will be

increased, causing climate change that will lead to further loss of biodiversity and also

numerous disasters such as drought, monsoon rain and hurricane.

Conclusion

In fact, the uninterrupted continuation of Earth's natural life support systems is

crucial to both the success of the world's economy and the health of the human species.

These are services that humans cannot replicate through any amount of machinery or

ingenuity. Therefore, we humans play a crucial role in maintaining our biodiversity.

Environmental awareness need to be integrated into the primary schools’ curriculum to

increase the children’s awareness on the importance of maintaining biodiversity. This is

important so that the children can pick up this good habit since young, thus becoming an

environment-concerned citizen in the future. Besides, the efforts to maintain biodiversity

should be carried on forever so that our environment will continue to be green.