What is biodiversity loss?

Biodiversity loss refers to the decrease in the variety of life within a specific habitat or ecosystem. This concept encompasses the extinction of species, the reduction of genetic diversity within species, and the decline of ecosystem diversity. Healthy ecosystems rely on a wide variety of species to function effectively, as each species plays a unique role in maintaining ecological balance. When biodiversity is lost, it can lead to ecosystem instability, reduced resilience to environmental changes, and diminished resources for human use.

In contrast, an increase in the variety of species in an ecosystem, recovery of species in a threatened area, or changes in climate affecting species would not accurately describe biodiversity loss. Instead, these scenarios represent different aspects of ecological dynamics, such as conservation successes or environmental challenges rather than the decline in biological diversity itself.