A few words on biodiversity: last may 22nd was Biodiversity’s Day around the world.
Every time we speak about biodiversity, we speak about the benefits we can find through its conservation.
- AESTHETICS (through relaxation, inspiration, meditation)
- ETHICAL VALUE (the responsibility we owe to the next generations)
- TROPHIC WEBS – BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING OF MATTER
- MEDICINE
- BIOTECHNOLOGY
A typical way of not taking advantage of these benefits is through deforestation, which chops ecosystems, altering entire trophic webs, destroying ecological niches and, hence, degrading and reducing biodiversity. The clearing of the forests in Chaco, Argentina, are a clear example of this. Here, you can see clear images of the destruction produced by chopping down every single tree.
Nevertheless, sometimes it is difficult to perceive biodiversity around us…
I drop a little bit of sugar to the floor and I know for sure that an army of ants will enter my home strategically from the backyard and collect each tiny bit for the cold winter ahead. My little kittens reduce the insects’ population down to zero. Outside, a pigeon grabs a slug that was crawling up the door.
When I go out, the water flows down the street towards the lagoon, where millions of microscopic seaweed nurture from everything that arrives and photosynthesize more than all the trees of the city together.
In the woods, when winter falls, you can see how the scrub grows – dead leaves, dry grass and broken branches, animal faeces- forming a mantle of nutrients for the soil.
The biogeochemical cycles of our planet unfold in a natural manner and it might seem to us as an external process. But it is through biodiversity that energy achieves readjustment and keeps flowing.
Life on Earth, each one of the living organisms, occupy specific places within energy flow. And by being aware of the prominence we have, we make nature aware of itself. And I believe that is the intrinsic feeling of biodiversity.
I also wanted to let you know that next Saturday, en event is being held on different topics regarding the conservation of the environment, sustainability, deforestation, responsible consumption and renewable energies. It starts at 14:00 hrs, and it’s free. All the information here.
My friends, huge hug.
Brian Longstaff.-
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