Biodiversity Importance

    Biodiversity is extremely important on all levels: locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Biodiversity is what keeps an ecosystem flowing properly, without diverse flora and fauna the earth wouldn't function sufficiently. All life on Earth has a duty to fulfill: plants, for example, without a variety of plants certain animals wouldn't have a food supply, photosynthesis wouldn't occur, soil erosion would be an issue, particular habitats wouldn't exists. The same concept applies for animals: when a certain species goes extinct, that creates a break in the cycle. For example, if bird populations decline, that increases the insect population, which can be a major problem. On the other end of the chain, the animals that eat birds will fall off and decline because they no longer have a required food source. 

    The international level can be quite concerning and important to maintain. Biodiversity is essential for all levels, but the international level seems to require more attention because just as we don't want invasive species spreading from one region to another, we definitely don't want invasive species traveling internationally. Invasive species are known to disrupt biodiversity and can cause an imbalance in an ecosystem. It is important to ensure invasive species don't travel abroad to ensure biodiversity loss stays reduced. Kudzu, for example, is native to China and Japan. This invasive vine made its way to the U.S and has overtaken many areas. This vine smothers and kills out almost all other plant life. The vine takes over large areas and spreads very quickly. 

    Sustainability and biodiversity are two extreme essentials. No ecosystem would be capable of functioning in the environment without a combination of the two working together to ensure all flora and fauna are working as a team.