Biodiversity -
brief introduction and some links
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some articles and web sites (further down on this page)
Biodiversity - The variety of life on Earth, i.e. the number of different spiecies (animals, fish, birds, insects, plants, fungi, micro-organisms) that exist. (working definition)Species are interdependent. Human life depends on the viability of this intricate "web of life".
A species that has become extinct has gone forever.
Caring for biodiversity means maintaining sufficient viable space for nature and so-called wild-life.
Space is reduced by every square mile that we expand our human settlements, roads, mines, oil wells, logging operations.
Viability is harmed by man-made pollution of all kinds, such as chemicals in agriculture and industry, exhaust gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), and over-exploitation of natural resources.
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The direct harm of pollution is reinforced by secondary effects, such as soil-erosion, climate change (because of CO2), ultra-violet radiation (because of reduction of the atmospheric ozone) and radio-activity (because of radio-active weaponry and the atomic industry).
Articles:
On the importance of biodiversity (1OCTT2002)
On Biodiversity, Climate change and Sustainability (3) (11 MAR2002)
On Biodiversity, Climate change and Sustainability (2) (18FEB2002)
On Biodiversity, Climate change and Sustainability (11FEB2002)
Mischievous Species Capitalize on Globalization (21MAY2001)
Cornflower - In the fields of conflict (3AUG1999)
Web sites:
BIODIVERSITY and CONSERVATION A Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant
Some web sites on the Roots and Shoots of Great Apes - our nearest cousins in the animal world - very endangered:
The Jane Goodall Institute
Wild Chimpanzees
Orang Utans
Primate Research at Wisconsin Edu (new window)
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Biodiversity
