BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity (or biological diversity) has been described as the rich variety of life on Earth. So far, mankind has discovered about 1.75 million living things; estimates of the total number of species on Earth range from 5 million to 100 million species. Biodiversity is critical to every person on this planet. All of nature's plants and animals contribute to maintaining a healthy place for us to live. We depend on them for food, air, water, clothing, building materials, medicines, and natural refuges.

Nature is healthiest and strongest when there is a rich variety of different species, with an abundance of genetic diversity within species. Living organisms interact with one another, and delicate balances between and among organisms are achieved through millions of intricate, natural processes. These balances are easily impaired or destroyed.

Our world's natural biodiversity is in trouble. Planet Earth is undergoing a rapid loss of species, causing ecological crises on a global scale. Scientists around the world are warning us that we are destroying, at an unprecedented rate in human history, the very things that give us life and good health.

- Marv Hanson

Human activities are largely responsible for the rapid loss of species. Examples include clear-cut logging, road building, conversion of natural lands to single-species crops, over-fishing, draining wetlands, burning rainforests and damming watersheds. These types of activities destroy or change natural habitats and populations to the point where local plants and animals cannot cope, populations dwindle, and often species begin to disappear. Losses may be more serious than we know because there are many undiscovered species and many unknown interactions between species. This realization should intensify our concern for the life-giving values we may be destroying.

CPAWS is working hard to establish protected wilderness areas in Saskatchewan that will help preserve our natural biodiversity. Protected areas, by themselves, will not save species. Good management outside of protected areas is also very important. But protected areas are a necessary component of land use, and they are a vital contribution to the maintenance of our world's biodiversity.

LEARN MORE:

Valuing Wilderness Why wilderness is important for the variety of life.

The Variety of Life Human activities influence our natural environment.

Species at Risk Saskatchewan's endangered plants and animals.

Biodiversity Links Visit our resource links for more information.

Threats to Biodiversity Saskatchewan's boreal forest is changing as idustrial developments are expanding.