Biodiversity controls the balance of ecosystems

The speed of extinction of species is increasing rapidly, creating many difficulties and troubles for people. It is an affirmation of a comprehensive study conducted by biology professors at Santa Barbara University in California. The results of this study were published in Nature .

The exploratory statistical analysis of this study indicates that preserving biodiversity in both quantity and species of organisms is essential in maintaining ecological balance and ecological 'services'. Concerns about the loss of species in each category have always been a topic of scientific discussion over the past decade.

Ladybird. (Photo: Bradley J. Cardinale - Associate Professor of the University of Santa Barbara, California)

Bradley J. Cardinale, head of the research project and an assistant professor of Santa Barbara University in California explained ' by summarizing the results of more than hundreds of studies conducted over the past two decades, We can confirm that the extinction of species on Earth will change the way that organisms and diseases are controlled, how organic waste is broken down and regenerated, the way that The food chain is created and how water is purified in our ecosystem . '

The results of 111 studies of biology, greenhouse effect and laboratory research have been analyzed by the authors themselves by conducting experiments on species around the world. Diane S. Srivastava, the second author of the study and professor at the University of British Columbia, said, " Recently, researchers have understood the causes of extinction but it is amazing. is that they know very little about its consequences '.

Associate Professor Cardinale said that between one-third and three-quarters of the species on Earth will become extinct within the next 100 years and the rate of extinction of today's species is thousands of times higher than before. The cause of species extinction is due to deforestation, economic development, environmental pollution and the emergence of alien species that have replaced the role of native species.

Mr. Srivastava said: ' Our research shows that biodiversity is very important for ecosystems. This means that if there are many species in the ecological population, they will be more efficient in energy conversion and material distribution. In other words, the diversity of ecosystems will help control the number of species, decompose organic matter and better absorb CO2 . "

A good example to demonstrate the role of species diversity in controlling the number of animals in agriculture is to study the ladybug. This experiment shows the important role of ladybirds in the enemy's trio of aphids. In this study, Mr. Cardinale has demonstrated that a group of natural enemies (including ladybirds, stink bugs and parasitic bees) can reduce the number of aphids. Therefore, it will increase the productivity of alfalfa. His research was conducted in Wisconsin. The results of the study show that these three natural enemies will significantly reduce the number of aphids compared to each species' ability to kill aphids. He explained that the ecological " service " is provided by millions of dollars worth of biological species for the agricultural sector in Wisconsin.

Mr. Cardinale added, ' We now have evidence that the number of species and the number of species on Earth will control ecological' services' that benefit human life. If we understand the benefits of these services, we must protect biodiversity . '

The important thing to do is to remove protected areas such as marine protected areas, national parks and ecological conservation areas. This elimination will preserve the diversity of biology. Besides, it is necessary to consider 'biological hot spots' where the biodiversity is still high. He said ' We can save many species from extinction by eliminating' biological hotspots' .

Cardinale's diversity of research topics aims to understand the causes and consequences of changing biodiversity in modern times.

This study was published in Nature and funded by the National Science Association.