The importance of biodiversity is being more widely recognized as increasing numbers of species come under threat. Why is species loss occurring? What are the potential effects of this?

An increasing concern for many people around the world is that the number of plants and animals which have become extinct has increased greatly. The causes of this phenomenon are varied and have led to a wide range of effects on human life. I will outline in this essay why species loss is occurring, and discuss the impacts it can have on people and the world. Generally speaking, there are two main reasons why various species of flora and fauna are disappearing. The primary cause of this phenomenon is deforestation. This is due to an enormous demand for land for agriculture, which has resulted in a loss of habitat for wild animals and plants. Secondly, biodiversity can also be negatively affected by pollution. Emissions from vehicles and aircraft, together with those which come from the factories and industrial parks, are a major contributor to global warming, which in turn leads to the destruction of animal and plant life. The results of species loss are numerous and potentially serious. Perhaps the most serious consequence is that plants are a valuable source of medicine and without them, we will not be able to treat or cure many diseases. A second consequence is that food security could be affected. For example, if we lose many marine species this will affect the health and well-being of many millions of people who depend on the ocean as their source of food. In conclusion, the extinction of plants and animals is an issue which will continue to demand our attention for the foreseeable future. If government agencies and individuals do not work together to solve this problem, the well-being of future generations could be affected.