Impacts on Biodiversity II

Extinction does not necessarily mean the end of a species of animal, it can also mean the end of a species of plant.  Due to rapid deforestation, many plants in the Amazonian tropical rainforests are being exploited.  As canopy trees are logged, plants dependent upon them for shade or support or moisture vanish.   As a result, many plants like Terminalia acuminata, are extinct from the wild.   These plants are only known to exist in captivity as a naturalized population outside its historic range.  Some 338 species of plants are facing extinction in Brazil, according to a report compiled by IUCN - International Union of Conservation of Nature.  Deforestation, especially in southeastern Atlantic Amazonian tropical rainforest is blamed for this phenomenon.

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Consequences of Reduced Biodiversity

Once they, species, are gone, not only are they gone forever, but it takes millions of years for new species to evolve and cater for in their place.

The loss of even one species can ruin an entire, balanced ecosystem of plants and animals.  The animals that depended on this vanished species as prey have now lost one of their few but major food sources; as the result, the animals that have been preyed on and fed on have lost a predator.

When summing up the events, it is clear that the prey of these species will inevitably undergo population explosions, which are devastating for the plants or animals that they feed on.  Unless another species steps up to take the now-vacant seat, the entire ecosystem is in danger of collapsing.

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