How Does Every Living Being Become Important for Our Survival?

Every living being, however small or great, is part of life on Earth. From tiny pioneering bacteria to terrestrial gigantic elephants or marine blue whale every species ensures the balance of nature. These intricate connections we call biodiversity.

Biodiversity maintains a certain equilibrium for acting ecosystems. The decline or vanishing of a species can cause a cascade through the environment affecting other species, including humans.

Now, let us look into why all living beings are essential for our survival.

1. Nature and Biodiversity

Ecosystem Services
Forests purify air, oceans moderate climate and wetlands avert floods.

Pollination
They work on plants to produce offspring. Thus, ensuring that food is generated by bees, butterflies, and birds.

Soil Fertility
Organic matter degradation by earthworms, fungi and microbes is critical for soil fertility.

Water Purification
Wetlands and aquatic plants can filter and purify polluted water.

It is without biodiversity that the massive ecosystems that carry out these services would collapse and bring harm to every single organism on the planet.

2. Balance in Ecosystems

Nature balances itself. Each species plays its part:

Producers
Plants absorb sunlight and convert it into energy.

Consumers
Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat herbivores and omnivores eat both.

Decomposers
Fungi and bacteria break down dead matter, recycling nutrients into the soil.

If one species goes extinct, the whole chain is disturbed. For instance:

• If bees go extinct, many crops won't be pollinated, leading to food shortages.
• If predators like tigers vanish, herbivore populations will explode, depleting vegetation.
• If earthworms die out, soil health will deteriorate, reducing agricultural productivity.

3. The Interdependence of Species

How Living Beings Support Each Other

No species exists in isolation. All living beings depend on one another for survival.

• Birds control insect populations, preventing crop damage.
• Mangrove trees protect coastal communities from storms.
• Coral reefs shelter marine life and provide food for millions of people.
• Wolves keep deer populations in check, preventing the overgrazing of forests.

When one species is affected, others suffer too. A healthy ecosystem is like a well-tuned orchestra where every member plays a part.

4. How Biodiversity Sustains Human Life

Human beings rely on biodiversity for:

Food and Agriculture

• Diverse plant species provide a variety of nutrients in our diet.
• 75% of the world’s crops depend on insect pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other insects.
• Traditional medicines are derived from plants, animals and microbes.

Climate Regulation

• Biodiversity sustains forests that absorb carbon dioxide, thus slowing climate change.
• Oceans regulate temperature and precipitation.
• Grasslands and wetlands store carbon, thereby preventing carbon dioxide emissions.

Medical Discoveries

• Nature provides several life-saving drugs, also rightly known as the “Treasure House of Medicine”, aspirin from willow bark and antibiotics from fungi.
• Scientists also study plants and animals to find new medicines, including cancer treatments.

Livelihoods and Economy

• Millions of people depend on fishing, farming, and forestry.
• Tourism thrives in biodiverse regions with local community support.
• Natural resources power industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and textiles.

5. Biodiversity in Danger

Biodiversity, though important, is being threatened by human activity:

• Deforestation removes habitats for many species, leading to extinction.
• Pollution leads to contamination of air, earth, and water, causing damage to wildlife.
• Climate changes disturb ecosystems and force the migration of species.
• Overfishing threatens the health of the oceans while depleting their stocks.
• Urbanization is cutting away green cover and fragmenting habitats.

If these threats continue, biodiversity loss will globally affect food security, health and economies.

6. What We Can Do to Protect Biodiversity

Conservation begins with awareness and possible action. Here are ways we can help:

• Support sustainable practices.
• Buy products that do not harm to the environment.
• Avoid single-use plastics.
• Reduce waste and recycle more.
• Protect natural habitats.
• Plant native trees.
• Support conservation projects and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Encourage policy changes.
• Support laws that protect endangered species.
• Advocate for green energy and sustainable development.
• Demand corporate accountability for environmental damage.
• Educate and spread awareness.
• Teach others about biodiversity’s importance.
• Participate in clean-up drives and tree-planting programs.
• Encourage responsible tourism that respects nature.

Conclusion

At The ‘Indic Aranya’, we believe every living being has a purpose in nature’s grand design. Biodiversity ensures a stable and healthy planet. Our existence highly depends upon each of the species still existing. Just like we as human beings depend on each other for the well-being and growth of society, we are dependent on nature and other animals. This makes it extremely important to save and keep the ecology balanced for us to survive. Thus, acting responsibly today preserves the delicate balance of life for the generations to come.

Let us together respect and protect every form of life, for indeed every species matters!