Jones, Kendall R., et al. “One-Third of Global Protected Land Is under Intense Human Pressure.” Science, vol. 360, no. 6390, 2018, pp. 788–791. Retrieved 3 September 2018 from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325206918_One-third_of_global_protected_land_is_under_intense_human_pressure

Global protected land is one of the greatest achievements towards the goal of global environmentalism and environmental preservation. Global protected areas are a large factor of biodiversity preservation. Even in these global protected areas, there remains human influence and activity. This article uses a comprehensive global map of human pressure to show that 6 million square kilometers (approximately 32.8%) of protected land is under intense human pressure. Since the time when basic protocols towards preservation were established, human pressures on protected areas rose 55%. Yet, the data showed that these increases were less prevalent in large areas which were strictly protected; from this the conclusion can be drawn that strict environmental laws are effective in land preservation and in decreasing human pressures on protected lands.

In order to preserve any conservation efforts made towards protecting the remaining global biodiversity and reducing biodiversity loss, we must establish lasting means of preservation of biodiversity hotspots. The article describes the effectiveness of strict regulations on protected lands, showing that the only apparent means to prevent human injustice against the environment is to establish and enforce strict rules, the disobeyal of such rules being punishable by law. Rather than responding to an innate moral duty to preserve it, humans only take action to preserve the environment when there are laws punishing any action against it.

Brandt, Jodi S., and Ralf C. Buckley. “A Global Systematic Review of Empirical Evidence of Ecotourism Impacts on Forests in Biodiversity Hotspots.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier. Retrieved 3 September 2018 from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326037386_A_global_systematic_review_of_empirical_evidence_of_ecotourism_impacts_on_forests_in_biodiversity_hotspots

In recent years, ecotourism has become especially popular due to its supposed economic and environmental benefits. It has become especially popular in biodiversity hotspots due to its portrayal as having overall positive effects. Ecotourism without conservation leads to deforestation. However, when it is paired with a conservation mechanisms, ecotourism can protect forests. “We conclude that there is an insufficient evidence base for inferring effects of ecotourism on forests, and we identify research priorities to build knowledge about how, when, and where to implement ecotourism.”

Ecotourism, if not applying correctly and regulated carefully, can result in a detrimental force rather than an aid for environmental conservation, especially when taking into account the growing global population. As a society it is essential that we work towards preserving ecotourism as a form of environmental conservation; since ecotourism is neither an adversely good or an evil force, no extreme measures should be taken against it. By creating a sustainable form of ecotourism we can continue to benefit the economy and work towards creating a stable means by which humans can benefit the environment.

Neumann, D., et al. “Global Biodiversity Research Tied up by Juridical Interpretations of Access and Benefit Sharing.” SpringerLink, Springer, Dordrecht. Retrieved 3 September 2018 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321313754_Global_biodiversity_research_tied_up_by_juridical_interpretations_of_access_and_benefit_sharing

The political system regulating the access, transfer, and use of biological material has recently been updated via the Nagoya Protocol. This is a legal framework which secures “the fair and equitable sharing of benefits” related to the use of global biodiversity research and data. Changes in protocols such as this one most often result in “vague definitions, lack of legal clarity and coordination, and often restrictive and complex regulations affect the transfer of biological material and associated data”. By implementing these changes in protocol, and continuing to allow such protocols to remain, results in harmful effects on biological research.  Instead of promoting research and international collaboration, current protocols threaten biodiversity research.

When talking about biodiversity as a global topic, it is important to address issues arising with research about the topic. An open and equitable research community discussing issues surrounding biodiversity is essential if we are to create sustainable ways to conserve and preserve the environment in the future. We must find a way to open up conversation surrounding biodiversity by changing policy and protocols governing the use of biodiversity research and data.

Lanz, Bruno, et al. “The Expansion of Modern Agriculture and Global Biodiversity Decline: An Integrated Assessment.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier. Retrieved 8 September, 2018 from http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Working-Paper-167-Lanz-et-al-2016.pdf

Growth of population, specifically the growth of population in developed and “rich” countries, has resulted in a major projected increase in global food production. In order to support such an increase, the food industry will have to expand, specifically via the expansion of modern agriculture. The issue with this need for agricultural expansion is that, at its basis, modern agriculture rests on a small number of highly productive crops. By continuing to expand, and thus expand the population of highly productive crops, agriculture will result in an even greater loss of biodiversity. “Ecologists have shown that biodiversity loss results in lower plant productivity, while agricultural economists have linked biodiversity loss on farms with increasing variability of crop yields, and sometimes lower mean yields.” Intensive agricultural expansion will result in severely negative consequences for biodiversity. Loss of biodiversity, in turn, will have an adversely negative effect on agricultural success, and thus food production.

This article is essential in exploring the implications of agricultural expansion on the global success of humanity as a whole. When talking about loss of biodiversity it is important to address all aspects of the conversation; the environmental implications of loss of biodiversity as well as the societal implications of this loss. It is essential that humans take action in order to prevent industrialization from destroying global ecosystems, if not for the environment’s sake then for our own.

Hill, Samantha L.L., et al. “Worldwide Impacts of Past and Projected Future Land-Use Change on Local Species Richness and the Biodiversity Intactness Index.” BioRxiv, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Retrieved September 3, 2018 from https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2018/04/30/311688.full.pdf

For a long time, humans have been altering their environment negatively, specifically through land conversion, exploitation of natural populations, species introductions, pollution and human-induced climate change. Cumulatively, this alteration of the environment has placed increasing pressure on biodiversity. The article explores “alternative socio-economic scenarios are expected to impact species communities in the future”. The parameter set to define both of these phenomenons is the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) database, which uses a mixed-effects modeling system. “Historical trend lines show that most losses in local biodiversity are relatively recent… with 75% of all loss in both abundance-based Biodiversity Intactness Index and species richness occurring post-1800”. But regional differences are apparent in all future scenarios, with biodiversity in the African region less than that in Oceania, North America and the European regions. There are five possible scenarios outline both a positive and negative potential future for biodiversity.

This article begins an especially essential conversation about biodiversity, as it gives an extensive overview of the implications of the loss of biodiversity. By outlining the potential future for global biodiversity through supplying the underlying actions leading to the each resulting state of biodiversity, it allows for humans to gain a new kind of perspective on the topic. By introducing a perspective in which the relationship between human action and environmental stability is highlighted, humans may begin to feel more compelled to take action in order to secure a positive future.