EN / Arctic Region / Biodiversity

biodiversity

What does biodiversity mean?

Biodiversity or biological diversity means

  • genetic variation
  • abundance of species
  • diversity of habitats.

In nature, birds, fish, plants, and insects surround us. The variety of habitats gives the species favourable conditions to live. Different species live in different a habitats and animals have adapted to survival in a particular environment. Genetic diversity is the most important factor for evolution. It allows populations to evolve and adapt to changing conditions. Diversity therefore covers all variations of living nature.

Biodiversity is declining

The loss of nature, i.e. the loss of biodiversity, means that the nature around us is disappearing and getting impoverished. As habitats disappear, the species that depend on them are also endangered. Nature loss is closely intertwined with climate change. As a result of climate change, nature changes, and at the same time man-made loss of nature continues to accelerate climate change.

Humans leave their mark

Human beings are part of nature and biodiversity is also essential for our well-being. Human beings significantly shape the living conditions on Earth — such as overexploitation of natural resources, destruction, and fragmentation of habitats. These are all the reasons why the world is estimated to be experiencing the sixth wave of extinction.

In the past, significant changes in biodiversity have occurred over millions of years. During these extinction waves, the environment has changed at a much slower pace, making it possible for some species to adapt to the changes. On the other hand, the current human-induced change and loss of habitats is progressing at an unprecedented rate.

Kuva: Arto Vitikka - hakkuuaukea

Production forest. Photo: Arto Vitikka

Photo in the top banner: Jani Kärppä

Kuva: Anna-Liisa Ylisirniö - vanhaa kuusi metsää

Old spruce forest by the Katzkim River on Kola Peninsula in Russia. Photo: Anna-Liisa Ylisirniö

Literature

  • Crawford, R. M. M. (2013) Tundra – Taiga Biology. Human, Plant, and Animal Survival in the Arctic. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Hanski, Ilkka (2007) Viestejä saarilta. Miksi luonnon monimuotoisuus hupenee? Helsinki: Gaudeamus.
  • Kouki, Jari (2011) Luonnon monimuotoisuus – geenit, lajit ja elinympäristöt. In Niemelä, Jari et al. (ed.) Ihminen ja ympäristö. Helsinki: Gaudeamus, 14–22.
  • Niemelä, Jari & Mattila, Hanna (2020) Johdanto: Biodiversiteettikato ja ilmastonmuutos – paha pari ruokkii toisiaan. In Mattila, Hanna (ed.) Elämän verkko. Luonnon monimuotoisuutta edistämässä. Helsinki: Gaudeamus, 11–19.