Towards a Better Understanding of Diversity

Abstract

"When we look at Planet Earth, its material and organisms, a prominent feature is the diversity of these components and the mechanisms underlying their functions. Biodiversity, which includes the diversity of the living organisms, their genes and the biomes, is a fascinating product of millions of years of evolution. Biodiversity is not static but in continuous change. In addition to the intrinsic natural causes, the biodiversity on Earth is increasingly challenged by human interference. Among the critical factors are the destruction of habitats (by agriculture or technical development, especially loss of rain forests and coral reefs), climate change, direct persecution and extermination of species (for traditional pharmaceutical use, game hunting or in fishery), as well as the introduction of invasive species and environmental pollution (some of them apparently influencing our climate) [1]. Global changes (land-use and climate) and human population growth (with a world population of more than 6.7 billion in 2009 and an annual increase of almost 80 million) are ultimately responsible for affecting biodiversity worldwide. The exact impact of human interference on the Earth’s diversity may not be realised until it is too late to save critical species."