Biodiversity—short for biological diversity—is the variety of all life forms on Earth. It encompasses the richness of species, genetic variation within species, and the ecosystems they form. From tropical rainforests to Arctic tundra, biodiversity shapes the living fabric of our planet.
Today, Earth hosts an estimated 8.7 million species. Each plays a distinct role in maintaining ecological balance, even if we haven’t discovered them all yet.
Why Biodiversity Matters
Biodiversity is not just an environmental concern. It is a fundamental pillar of human survival and well-being. Healthy ecosystems provide essential services, often called “ecosystem services,” that underpin economies, agriculture, and public health. Some key benefits include:
Food security
Around 75% of global food crops depend on animal pollination. Pollinators like bees and butterflies are vital for crops such as apples, almonds, and tomatoes.
Clean water and air
Forests and wetlands filter pollutants and regulate water cycles, ensuring safe drinking water and air quality.
Soil fertility
Microorganisms and invertebrates decompose organic matter and cycle nutrients essential for crop growth.
Climate regulation
Oceans and forests absorb over half of global carbon emissions, acting as natural buffers against climate change.
Natural disaster protection
Coral reefs and mangrove forests shield coastlines from storm surges, reducing flood damage.
Medical resources
Over 50% of modern medicines are derived from natural sources, including plants, fungi, and bacteria.
Current Threats to Biodiversity
Despite its value, biodiversity is in alarming decline. Global wildlife populations have plummeted by 69% on average since 1970, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report. Over 150,000 species are listed on the IUCN Red List, and more than 42,000 are threatened with extinction. Main threats include:
- Habitat loss: Driven by deforestation, agriculture, and urbanisation. In 2022 alone, over 16 million acres of forest were lost.
- Climate change: Alters species behaviour and ecosystems. Ocean warming and acidification, for example, threaten coral reefs.
- Pollution: Plastic, pesticides, and industrial chemicals degrade land and marine ecosystems.
- Overexploitation: Nearly 90% of large predatory fish populations have collapsed due to overfishing.
- Invasive species: Displace native flora and fauna, destabilising local ecosystems.
Some scientists believe we are witnessing Earth’s sixth mass extinction. Species are disappearing at rates 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than natural background levels. The consequences are profound—not only for wildlife, but for people.
Biodiversity Hotspots: Where Life is Most Rich
Biodiversity is not evenly distributed across the planet. Certain regions, known as biodiversity hotspots, host vast numbers of endemic species—organisms found nowhere else on Earth—but are also under extreme threat.
Key examples include the Amazon rainforest, the tropical forests of Indonesia, Madagascar’s unique island ecosystems, and South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region. Coral reefs and marine ecosystems near the equator, such as those in the Coral Triangle, also qualify. Protecting these hotspots is vital to global conservation.
How We Can Protect Biodiversity
The path to protecting biodiversity lies in collective and coordinated action. We must expand protected areas on land and sea, aiming to safeguard at least 30% of the planet by 2030. Promoting sustainable agriculture, fishing, and forestry will reduce pressure on ecosystems. Reducing carbon emissions and investing in clean energy are vital to limiting climate change’s impact on biodiversity.
Equally important is restoring damaged ecosystems by replanting forests, cleaning rivers, and reviving coral reefs. Governments must reduce pollution through strong legislation and improve waste management. International cooperation, through frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity, can align global efforts.
On an individual level, we can also make a difference—plant wildflowers or trees, build bee hotels, support conservation organisations, avoid using plastic, and advocate for environmentally friendly policies.
A Call to Action
Biodiversity is not just about saving pandas or preserving distant rainforests. It is the very foundation of life on Earth. It shapes our climate, secures our food, supports our health, and sustains our economies. If we fail to protect it, we risk losing far more than species—we risk our shared future.
At BIOFIN-EU, we believe that financing nature is financing life. Together, let’s protect and restore our planet’s most valuable asset: its living diversity.
