Every living organism is thus profoundly conditioned by its context. Biodiversity is in fact a thermometer that measures the state of health of the planet because it reflects the stability of the relations which exist on it.

 

The uncontrolled activities of mankind in recent decades (deforestation and land use change, pollution, overexploitation of resources, introduction of invasive species into foreign habitats, climate change) alter this equilibrium causing loss of biodiversity with consequences for the ecosystems but also for humanity which is in fact a part of them. We are dealing with negative effects such as:

 

• Reduced resilience and increased vulnerability to disease, invasive species and environmental stressors;

• the impact on agriculture, food security and human health;

• The degradation or loss of fundamental ecosystem services (for example climate regulation, photosynthesis, the nutrient and water cycle, pollination and seed dispersion)

• Loss of species and habitats with direct cultural and economic impacts in multiple sectors (e.g. tourism, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, etc).

 

Climate change and the biodiversity crisis are interdependent and mutually influence each another. Climate change produces dramatic changes to biodiversity due to the increase in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, rising sea levels and melting glaciers.

 

On the other hand, loss of biodiversity diminishes the resilience and capacity of ecosystems to adapt to climate change.