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Loss of Biodiversity

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Estimated time: 6 minutes
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12

Categories of Species Assessment by the IUCN

Category Meaning
Extinct (EX) No individuals left alive
Extinct in Wild (EW) Survive only in captivity
Critically Endangered (CR) Extremely high risk (≤ 50 individuals)
Endangered (EN) Very high risk; 50–70% decline (last 10 years)
Vulnerable (VU) High risk; 30–50% decline (last 10 years)
Near Threatened (NT) Likely to become threatened soon
Least Concern (LC) Abundant and widespread species
Data Deficient (DD) Insufficient data available
Not Evaluated (NE) Not assessed by IUCN
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Loss of Biodiversity

  • Loss of biodiversity causes ecosystem imbalance and may lead to extinction of species (natural, mass, and anthropogenic).
  • Natural causes include forest fires, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, while human causes include habitat destruction, hunting, and overexploitation.
  • The present biodiversity loss is considered the 7th mass extinction, occurring 100–1000 times faster due to human activities.
  • Loss of biodiversity reduces plant productivity, disturbs environmental processes, and lowers resistance to disturbances.
  • The “Evil Quartet” causes biodiversity loss: habitat loss, over-exploitation, alien species invasion, and co-extinction.
  • Invasive species can harm or eliminate native species due to a lack of natural predators (e.g., Parthenium, water hyacinth).
  • Conservation status is maintained in the IUCN Red Data Book; endangered species have declining populations, while extinct species are completely lost.

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