NatureServe ( 2023, February 6). Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.natureserve.org/news-releases/over-one-third-biodiversity-united-states-risk-disappearing
The article starts off by talking about how we are amidst a time period where mass amounts of species within an biodiversity ecosystem are becoming extinct. Within the report Biodiversity in focus, it is made clear that 34% of plants, 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and that 41% of those ecosystems are at risk of collapsing. They then shift their focus to the fact that 2/5ths of the ocean are in trouble, as we need to begin to find the urgency to do what we
can before there is no time left. Ecosystems to make note of when it comes to endangerment, the wetlands seem to be a high focal point for what is in danger. The main threats to biodiversity include the following: habitat degradation, invasive species, dams, as well as climate change are at fault for the severity of the problems faced by biodiversity.
This is related to environmental science as this involves all types of ecosystems. The study of biodiversity is relevant to environmental science as you begin to measure the amount of different animals and how well they are able to thrive in that specific ecosystem. My reaction to this information about the health of our ecosystems was that we need to find ways to adapt to the changes that have been made in order for there to be a better outcome. With biodiversity in mind, if we are not able to learn how to conserve the animals there as well as find ways to maintain and boost them and their health, then we could see more animals go extinct.
Aiden, while the gist of this article is not uplifting, I agree with your sentiments in the follow up paragraph. We need to learn how to manage these ecosystems the best we can, since we’ve influenced them so much by now, to protect biodiversity. One question though, how much stock do you put into the % claimed in the article. Do you think they are accurate or we should question their validity? (Considering how many species haven’t been identified still.)
Thank you for your response. I believe that they are in a way trying to delude us from the fact that there is more going on with the loss of wildlife, this causing us to have a not as great sense of urgency.
I am alarmed at how far towards disaster we already are. I agree that we need to figure out some solutions to this problem. Is there anything that can be done to reverse these effects?
Thank you for your response, I think that we as humans need to move forward and put less focus on reversing but rather putting an emphasis on helping with the “now”.
I’m shocked about the level of depopulation our species and ecosystems are facing. How do we stop this? what steps can be taken to save the ecosystem or is it already too late to save them? What has been causing this issue and how can we counter it?
Thank you for your response, I believe we can stop this by all contributing on any scale. We can save the ecosystem by allowing us to understand the reasoning behind it. The issue is caused by both man-made & natural disasters.