Question

Evaluate the effect of loss of biodiversity in a region. Mention any four such effects.

Answer 1

Hint: Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of species of flora and fauna in a particular area. Biodiversity of a region helps in defining the health of the natural environment and ecosystem of an area. Biodiversity is a vast term and includes genetic diversity, species diversity and ecological diversity. Rapid urbanization and climate change have led to loss of biodiversity and have caused serious impacts on the health of mother earth.

Complete answer:
Loss of biodiversity refers to decrease in species richness, (i.e., the number of different species in an area) and species evenness (i.e., the distribution and population of each species in an area).
In order to evaluate the effect of loss of biodiversity in a region we need to know the causes of biodiversity loss:
1. Climate change
2. Pollution
3. Habitat destruction
4. Overexploitation of the natural environment
5. Invasive alien species
Based on the above causes we can point out some very important conclusions about the effects of loss of biodiversity. Some of these conclusions are can be seen below:
Climate change would lead to global warming which leads to thermal pollution and this impacts the global aquatic ecosystem as increase in temperature reduces solubility of oxygen in water. Similarly, climate change is associated with increased \[C{O_2}\] emissions.
Pollution, Habitat destruction and Invasive alien species are associated with extinction of many species.
Overexploitation of the natural environment leads to reduction in ecosystem services provided to humanity like the crisis of fossil fuels is not so far from reality.
Hence, one can conclude that loss of biodiversity impacts the earth and its inhabitants on a large scale.
The effects of biodiversity loss can thus be described as follows:
Economic effect of loss of biodiversity - The most important thing is the monetary value of biodiversity worldwide. Ecosystem services, such as pollination, irrigation, soil reclamation, and other services that must be paid for when nature cannot take care of it.
Extinction of species – Loss of habitat and hunting have led to extinction of species.
Increased rate of zoonotic infections in human populations – Loss of biodiversity can lead to reduced natural habitats and more human- animal interactions which can become the reason for the spread of zoonoses.
Unpredictable weather

Note:
The term "biodiversity" comes from two words: "bio", which means life or biology, and "diversity", which means diversity; biodiversity literally means the difference between organisms. Loss of biodiversity appears to affect climate change, pollution, and other important sources of environmental stress all have an impact on ecosystems. It has also been noted that biodiversity loss has reduced the life and productivity of various ecosystems on earth.