Vanishing Biodiversity

Of the estimated 13 million species on earth, only about 10% have been studied and classified. Nevertheless, there is concern about loss of biodiversity, which includes species richness and diversity. The Endangered Species Act, which expired in 1992, and is under consideration for reauthorization,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental health perspectives 1996-04, Vol.104 (4), p.386-388
Main Author: Callahan, Joan R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity
Biodiversity conservation
Ecosystem
Ecosystems
Endangered species
Environmental Health - legislation & jurisprudence
Extinct species
Humans
Marine ecosystems
Plants
Quality of Life
Species
Species extinction
Spheres of Influence
United Nations
United States
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Summary:Of the estimated 13 million species on earth, only about 10% have been studied and classified. Nevertheless, there is concern about loss of biodiversity, which includes species richness and diversity. The Endangered Species Act, which expired in 1992, and is under consideration for reauthorization, focuses on species richness without considering the consequences on species diversity. Yet threats to species may be from natural sources and protection of such species may prevent an ecosystem from progressing. Philosophical debates abound on the responsibility of humans to act as custodians of or to have dominion over other species. The effects of biodiversity loss on human health are from loss of medicinal substances, and creation of epidemics, such as hantavirus outbreaks. Loss of biodiversity also has economic effects, including job loss from overfishing or over harvesting of lumber.
ISSN:0091-6765
1552-9924
DOI:10.1289/ehp.96104386