Diversity-Stability Theory Biologically diverse communities are also more likely to contain species that confer resilience to that ecosystem because as a community accumulates species, there is a higher chance of any one of them having traits that enable them to adapt to a changing environment.

Increased alpha diversity (the number of species present) generally leads to greater stability, meaning an ecosystem that has a greater number of species is more likely to withstand a disturbance than an ecosystem of the same size with a lower number of species.

Viewpoint: Yes, greater species diversity does lead to greater stability in ecosystems.

Summary: Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study. Studies over the last two decades have demonstrated that more biologically diverse ecosystems are more productive.

Climate change research has demonstrated that changing temperatures will have an effect on community-level dynamics by altering species survival rates, shifting species distributions, and ultimately, creating mismatches in community interactions.

Five main threats to biodiversity are commonly recognized in the programmes of work of the Convention: invasive alien species, climate change, nutrient loading and pollution, habitat change, and overexploitation.

Attract “good” insects by planting pollen and nectar plants. Maintain wetlands by conserving water and reducing irrigation. Avoid draining water bodies on your property. Construct fences to protect riparian areas and other sensitive habitats from trampling and other disturbances.

Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away.
2. Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community.
3. Educate.
4. Conserve water.
5. Choose sustainable.
6. Shop wisely.
7. Use long-lasting light bulbs.
8. Plant a tree.

10 Ways to Protect and Conserve Biodiversity

1. Government legislation.
2. Nature preserves.
3. Reducing invasive species.
4. Habitat restoration.
5. Captive breeding and seed banks.
6. Research.
7. Reduce climate change.
8. Purchase sustainable products.

Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate, recycle nutrients and provide us with food. Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem. A wide variety of species will cope better with threats than a limited number of them in large populations.

Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. Protect freshwater resources. Promote soils formation and protection. Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.

At higher levels of extinction (41 to 60 percent of species), the effects of species loss ranked with those of many other major drivers of environmental change, such as ozone pollution, acid deposition on forests and nutrient pollution.

Habitat destruction is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Habitat loss is caused by deforestation, overpopulation, pollution, and global warming. Species that are physically large and those living in forests or oceans are more affected by habitat reduction.

Furthermore, there are myriad phenomena that are driving biodiversity loss in addition to climate change. Other causes include ecosystem fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, oxygen depletion caused by fertilizers running off into ponds and streams, overfishing, human overpopulation, and overconsumption.

Deforestation 1990 The main threats facing biodiversity globally are: destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitats. reduction of individual survival and reproductive rates through exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species.

Direct or indirect actions by humans have resulted in the decrease of biodiversity. Some of the direct human drivers are changes in local land use and land cover, species introductions or removals, external inputs, harvesting, air and water pollution, and climate change (Climate, 2005).