Knowra Biodiversity loss Biodiversity loss Biodiversity loss is the decline or disappearance of biological diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems. It includes reductions in genetic variation, species abundance, and ecosystem variety.
Habitat destruction : The removal or degradation of natural environments, reducing the space and resources available to organisms. Converting or degrading habitats is a leading direct cause of population declines.
Ecosystem services : The benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including food, clean water, climate regulation, and recreation. Biodiversity loss can weaken the ecological processes that sustain these benefits.
Protected area : A geographically defined area managed to achieve long-term conservation of nature and associated cultural values. Protected areas safeguard habitats and species when their boundaries and management are effective.
Amphibian decline : The widespread reduction or disappearance of amphibian populations and species around the world. Amphibians illustrate multiple interacting threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and disease.
Biodiversity indicators : Measures used to track changes in biodiversity, such as species abundance, extinction risk, and habitat extent. Different indicators capture different dimensions of biodiversity loss and can show conflicting trends.
Habitat fragmentation : The division of a continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Isolation restricts movement and gene flow between populations in separated habitat patches.
Ecosystem resilience : The capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbance and reorganize while retaining its essential functions. Reduced diversity can leave ecosystems less able to withstand or recover from disturbance.
Ecological restoration : The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Restoration can rebuild habitat and ecological functions after degradation.
Chytridiomycosis : A wildlife disease caused by chytrid fungi that infect the skin of amphibians. The disease has contributed to severe declines and extinctions in amphibian populations.
Living Planet Index : An indicator tracking average changes in the relative abundance of monitored vertebrate populations over time. Its trends inform global assessments, but they do not represent every species or biodiversity dimension.
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