By ASSEGID AJEME

Biodiversity Loss

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is a term we use to describe the variety of life on Earth (ecosystems and living organisms).

Acc. to CBD biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including; terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

Introduction

An ecosystem (short for "ecological system") is generally defined as a community of organisms living in a particular environment and the physical elements with which they interact.

An ecosystem is an open functional unit that results from the interactions of abiotic (soil, water, light, inorganic nutrients and weather), biotic (plants, animals, and microorganisms usually categorized as either producers or consumers), and cultural (anthropogenic) components.

Cont……..

Direct use of BDFoodBuilding MaterialsFuelPaper ProductsFiber (clothing, textiles)Industrial products

(waxes, rubber, oils)Medicine

Indirect use of BD Regulating global processes,

such as atmosphere and climate

Soil and water conservation Nutrient cycling Pollination and seed dispersal Control of agricultural pests Genetic library Inspiration and information Scientific and educational Tourism and recreation Cultural, spiritual, and

aesthetic Community Resilience

Cont…….

The loss of biodiversity means ecosystems are destabilized, vital resources are lost and genetic variation is reduced.

The loss of biological diversity is a global crisis. There is hardly any region on the earth that is not facing ecological catastrophes. More than half the habitable surface of the planet has already been significantly altered by human activity.

Strictly speaking, no part of the world is considered truly undisturbed. The worlds’ habitats have been significantly modified by human actions.

Biodiversity loss

As we know the main cause of the loss of diversity is human being because of it there are so many aspects which could lead to biodiversity loss.

Causes of biodiversity loss

Some of the causes of biodiversity loss are Distraction of habitat Deforestation Pollution Introduction of exotic species Over exploitation Hunting Pests and predator control Collection of species for zoo and research purpose Distribution range Degree of specialization Position of the organism in the food chain Reproductive rate

Cont……

Ethiopia, because of its geographical position, ranges of altitude, rainfall pattern and soil variability has an immense ecological diversity and a huge wealth of biological resources.

Ethiopia is known as one of twelve Vavilov centers of primary plant domestication in the world.

In Ethiopia, no less than 80 percent of the rural community and a significant proportion of the urban dwellers depend on herbal medicines for their primary health care delivery system.

Biodiversity of Ethiopia

GROUP No. of species Endemics

Higher plants 6000 600

Mammals 277 29/31

Birds 861 16

Reptiles 201 10

Amphibians 633 4

Fresh water fish 180 37-57

Insects Poorly Known

Diversity of Ethiopian Flora & Fauna in 2008

Abijatta-Shalla National ParkAwash National ParkBale Mountains National ParkMago National ParkNechisar National ParkOmo National ParkSemien Mountains National ParkYangudi Rassa National Park

Protected Areas of Ethiopia

The major ecosystems of Ethiopia include: Afroalpine and subafroalpine, Montane dry forest and scrub, Montane moist forest, Acacia-Comiphora woodland, Combretum-Terminalia woodland, Lowland humid forest, Aquatic, wetland, Montane grassland, and Desert and semidesert ecosystems.

Biodiversity loss in Ethiopia

Because of the increasing population pressure there are frequent encroachments by man that resulted in widespread destruction of wildlife and their habitats.

The Ethiopian Wolf, Golden Jackal and Walia Ibex that are endemic to this ecosystem are the most threatened mammals.

Afroalpine and Subafroalpine Ecosystem

There is a severe and increasing fuel wood gap in the country, which leads to depletion of standing stock and, hence, further degradation of the remaining forest stands.

This is also an ecosystem where livestock density is one of the highest in the country thus exacerbating the degradation process.

Dry Evergreen Montane Forest and Grassland complex

Changes caused by human activities in the form of timber extraction, Coffee and Tea plantations, agricultural expansion, settlement and deliberate or accidental fire hazards.

Moist Evergreen Montane Forest Ecosystem

Currently under strong environmental stress. Extraction of fuel wood and charcoal for major towns in the country has increased the rate of deforestation and natural resource depletion.

The failure to manage the expansion of exotic invasive species, such as Prosopis juliflora in this ecosystem is threatening the biodiversity.

Acacia-Comiphora Woodland Ecosystem

Is still perhaps the least affected of the ecosystems, however there are threats as a result of indiscriminate fire and settlement of refugees from neighboring countries and people from the highlands and inappropriate agricultural practice.

Combretum-Terminalia Woodland Ecosystem

Fires set to establish agriculture and road construction has contributed to the depletion of forestland.

Lowland, Semi-evergreen Forest Ecosystem

Is being subjected to increased grazing, threatened by bush encroachment and the failure to manage the expansion of invasive exotic species, such as Prosopis juliflora.

Desert and Semi-desert Scrubland Ecosystem

Direct human effects such as damming and diversion of rivers, channeling and building water distribution facilities; and indirect influences such as removal of vegetation cover of drainage basins for agricultural, urban, industrial, mining etc. expansion have played a role in changing the habitat.

Rivers Meki and Katar, Bulbula and Gogessa which flow into lakes Ziway and Abijata respectively, are being used for irrigation, subsequently this decreased the lakes’ water level and resulted in drastic effects on the fish and other aquatic communities of the lake.

Fish species like Oreochromis niloticus that spawns in shallow parts of the lake are adversely affected by the change in water level.

Aquatic Ecosystem

The main cause for the loss of diversity in global level is human beings.

Main causes for the biodiversity loss in Ethiopia are; Clearing for Agriculture, Over-cutting and unsustainable levels of harvest, Over-grazing, Over-hunting, Alien invasive species, Change in fire regime, Climate change/drought, Population growth and Increasing Demand for Natural Resources, Inequity in Ownership, Deficiencies in knowledge and its application, Legal and institutional systems that promote unsustainable exploitation, Land use policies and Policy and Law enforcement.

Conclusion

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