What Threatens Forest Biodiversity

There are many benefits that forests provide—including clean water, oxygen, habitat for species, jobs, and many more. This shows how vital forests are for both humans and the biodiversity in them. Unfortunately, much of forest biodiversity has been lost and threatened due to many factors. As agents of change, we must be aware in advance regarding what threatens forest biodiversity.

6 Threats to Forest Biodiversity

Forests remain the essential habitats of various species, and according to the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), Indonesia’s rainforests serve as home to some of the highest levels of biological diversity in the world. 

However, currently, deforestation is happening at an alarming rate in many countries. This, and among many other factors, are multiple threats to forest biodiversity. To be exact, there are at least six threats to forest biodiversity we should be aware of:

1. Climate Change

An increase in the temperature of the atmosphere has major effects on the environment, including the seasons, rising of the sea levels, and glacial retreats.

2. Habitat Loss & Degradation

Habitat loss may either be caused by natural events or humans and their activities, such as deforestation and/or polluting the ocean.

3. Pollution

Be it water, air, or land pollution, all forms of pollution appear to be a threat to all life forms on earth.

4. Invasive Species 

An exotic or unnatural species can be any kind of organism that has been introduced to a foreign habitat. This introduction can cause major threats to the native species.

5. Overexploitation

Overexploitation refers to the act of over-harvesting species and natural resources at rates faster than they can actually sustain themselves in the wild.

6. Other Potential Threats

Epidemics and infectious diseases of wildlife, such as Ebola virus disease and flu, affect wildlife and biodiversity.

What if Forest Biodiversity is Lost?

Reduced biodiversity means millions of people face a future where food supplies are more vulnerable to pests and disease, and where freshwater is in irregular or short supply. This is why biodiversity is vital to keep the world’s many ecosystems healthy, balanced and thriving

Sadly, biodiversity is currently under serious threat. Especially in forests, where wildfires and deforestation destroy the ecosystems on which many species depend.

An example of how the world slowly loses forest biodiversity is the recent wildfire in Australia, where almost a third of koalas in New South Wales has been killed in the fires, and a third of their habitat has been destroyed.  

How Can We Protect Forest Biodiversity?

What threatens forest biodiversity is an actual issue we must face now. As a human, it’s better to understand the threats so we can prevent future harm. Although forest biodiversity remains vulnerable to those threats, there are many ways we can do to save them and reduce the risks. 

The simplest way we can do is to fight climate change in our daily activities. The famous one is the concept of ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’. We can also switch our commute to biking, walking, and/or using public transportations.

Furthermore, we also need to monitor and support the government’s regulations on these particular cases. We should also take part in encouraging companies and corporations all over the world to adopt the best practices and use the best methods in conserving forests. 

Knowing the importance of forest biodiversity, as a wood-based manufacturer, Kayu Lapis Indonesia (KLI) is committed to maintaining a sustainable forest. At KLI, not one single raw material goes to waste through the implementation of zero waste method. KLI also ensures that every single part is either processed into products, recycled, and reassembled into products, or utilized in the production of supporting materials.

Source: BioExplorer