Scientific Consensus Regarding Biodiversity Decline

Pollution, deforestation, poaching activities, industrial processes are all factors which will trigger the decline of biodiversity in most of the Earth's ecosystems. 585 conservationists have reached this conclusion, while taking into account the negative influence humankind has upon the environment.

According to a recent study, while talking about how biodiversity will cope with the future framework, 99.5 of the scientists who have participated declared that a significant decrease of the number of species which are not populating our planet is “likely”, “very likely” or “virtual certain.”

The researchers stated that, unless the governments, organizations and individuals will take this matter into their own hands and try to improve their eco-conscious conduct while developing effective answers to this problem, this threat is imminent.

"Understanding the degree of consensus within the scientific community will help policy makers to interpret scientific advice, improving the likelihood of successful of conservation initiatives."

"The extremely high level of consensus demonstrated by these results underlines the urgency of preventing further damage to the natural world," revealed Murray Rudd from the University of York, the author of this study.

The disturbing information provided by his research shows that humankind managed to increase the pressure upon the already challenged ecosystems, which are forced to cope with climate change, several diseases, floods, quakes or other damaging natural phenomena.

It seems that the most exposed habitats are the coral reefs, the most biodiverse marine ecosystems at this point in time. These regions are threatened by overfishing and pollution.

Rising carbon levels fight the environment's special ability to calcify, while increased temperatures and rising sea levels make themselves responsible for coral beaching, which destroys the natural beauty of such regions.

Approximately half (50.3%) of the questioned scientists stated that they would support the “conservation triage,” a strategy which implies the fact that the limited resources and financial aid will go to the creatures and habitats which are considered “conservation priorities.” Despite this fact, this theory has been criticized, based upon the fact that it would condemn several vulnerable creatures to a certain death.

The environment is far from preserving its natural balance, since the IUCN Red List mentions 19,000 creatures as being endangered.