Why is Biodiversity at Risk?
- Alexandra Stefanopoulou
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
How is biodiversity affected by human activities and why should you care?
On the occasion of Earth Day today (April 22), let’s explore how human activity threatens biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and includes all species of plants, animals, microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems in which they live. It is one of the most important factors in maintaining the balance and health of our planet.
Biodiversity is categorized into three levels:
Genetic diversity – The differences within a species, which allow it to adapt to environmental changes.
Species diversity – The total number and variety of species in a specific area or globally.
Ecosystem diversity – The various types of ecosystems, such as forests, oceans, lakes, deserts, which host and support life.
Preserving biodiversity is vital for nature’s balance, oxygen production, climate stability, and human nutrition.
Unfortunately, it is under threat from climate change, deforestation, and pollution—all of which stem from human activities.
How Human Activity Threatens Biodiversity
Deforestation for livestock farming
Livestock farming is one of the main drivers of deforestation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. This is linked to the expansion of pastures and feed crops (such as soy) required for intensive meat production.
Impacts on biodiversity:
Destruction of natural ecosystems
Tropical rainforests, home to more than 50% of the planet's species, are cleared to make way for grazing land or feed crops. This results in habitat loss and accelerates species extinction.
Changes in microclimates
Forests act as natural "air conditioners," regulating humidity and temperature. Deforestation causes droughts and local temperature increases, making areas less hospitable for wildlife.
Increased CO₂ and methane emissions
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock farming is responsible for 14.5% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Ruminant animals produce methane, a gas much more potent than CO₂ at trapping heat. Additionally, burning forests to clear land releases huge amounts of CO₂.
If you want to learn more about greenhouse gases, check out the article: What is a Carbon Footprint?
Degradation of soil and water resources
Animal farming requires massive amounts of water and often pollutes rivers and lakes through waste and pesticides.
The intensive use of agrochemicals in monocultures can reduce the availability of insects and worms for birds, while repeatedly planting the same crop depletes soil nutrients.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), monocultures are a major cause of declining soil biodiversity.
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Extreme weather events
Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as storms, droughts, and floods, all of which have devastating impacts on biodiversity.
Heavy rainfall and hurricanes destroy natural ecosystems like tropical forests and coastal zones, causing habitat loss.
Floods can erode soil, contaminate water sources, and lead to mass die-offs of organisms unable to adapt quickly.
On the other hand, prolonged droughts affect farmlands and reduce water availability, threatening the survival of both plants and animals.
Rising temperatures
The ongoing rise in global temperature (due to the greenhouse effect) significantly disrupts ecosystems and species behavior.
Many animals, such as birds and marine mammals, are forced to alter migration routes in search of cooler climates. This may lead to conflicts with other species, reduced food availability, and changes in the entire ecosystems they inhabit.
Reproduction is also affected, as temperature shifts can throw off seasonal cycles, reducing the survival chances of newborns.
Many species—such as amphibians and insects—depend on stable temperature conditions. With rising heat, they face an increased risk of extinction.
Ocean Acidification
The increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere not only affects the climate but also the oceans, as much of the CO₂ is absorbed by seawater.
Overfishing further disrupts oceanic balance, weakening their ability to store CO₂.
This leads to ocean acidification, a process that lowers the pH of seawater, making it more acidic.
Acidification has devastating effects on marine ecosystems, particularly on organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build shells and skeletons—such as corals, shellfish, and certain plankton types. The destruction of coral reefs, which are home to thousands of species, drastically reduces marine biodiversity and affects entire food chains.
Oceans are the planet’s biggest climate regulators, absorbing around 31% of the CO₂ generated by human activity. As they become more acidic, their ability to absorb more CO₂ diminishes, intensifying global warming.
Why does this matter?
Because everything on this planet is connected! One species cannot thrive while another goes extinct. It might not be immediately noticeable, but all ecosystems are interlinked.
And if we don’t act now, it might be too late later.
What Can I Do to Protect Biodiversity?
Support and advocate for:
the abolition of industrial livestock farming and overfishing
sustainable agriculture
forest protection
the protection of seas and oceans
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions waste reduction
Many of these actions can be part of our daily lives:
Avoiding meat and animal products, supporting local farmers, consuming mindfully, minimizing car use, etc.
For everything else, collective action is required—both from local authorities and governments. No matter how much I walk instead of driving, the biggest carbon footprint comes from industry. That’s why we need legislation and enforcement mechanisms to reduce air pollution.
Final Thoughts
Our planet’s biodiversity is at a critical point due to human activities—but it's not too late to reverse the damage. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting ecosystems, promoting sustainable farming, and consuming consciously, we can preserve Earth's natural balance.
The solution is in our hands—if we act swiftly and collectively. If we invest in nature today, we’ll secure a healthy, sustainable future for all species.
Nature has the power to recover—if we simply give it the chance.
Research & Writing:
Alexandra Stefanopoulou, Educator
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