Loss of Biodiversity, Overview

The extinction of a species, like the death of an individual, is a natural phenomenon. During the long history of life, the earth has undergone several periods of mass extinction. However, the current crisis differs from the preceding ones as it has resulted from human activities. The current accelerated erosion of biodiversity is being manifested at three levels, affecting (1) the diversity of our planet's ecosystems and landscapes, (2) the richness of species in most parts of the world, and (3) the genetic diversity of several wild species and most domesticated ones. Here the patterns, causes, and extent of such losses of biodiversity are addressed.