Light

Biodiversity Loss

Definition

Biodiversity loss refers to the decline in the variety and abundance of species within a particular habitat or on a global scale. It is primarily caused by human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation, and climate change.

Analogy

Imagine a library with many different books representing various species. Now imagine someone removing books one by one until only a few are left. This reduction in book diversity represents biodiversity loss, where species disappear from ecosystems due to human actions.

Related terms

Extinction: Extinction occurs when a species completely disappears from the Earth. It is often a result of biodiversity loss.

Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation happens when large areas of natural habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities like urbanization or deforestation.

Invasive Species: Invasive species are non-native organisms that enter an ecosystem and cause harm to native species and their habitats. They can contribute to biodiversity loss by outcompeting native species for resources.