2010 - International Year of Biodiversity

The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). IYB is important as it aims to create public awareness of the importance of biodiversity, consequences of its loss, as well as highlight the underlying threats to biodiversity, including climate change.

Biodiversity is the backbone of all life on Earth. Biodiversity is important because all living creatures are supported by the interactions among organisms and ecosystems. Loss of biodiversity makes ecosystems less stable, more vulnerable to extreme events, and weakens its natural cycles. Also, a biologically diverse natural environment provides humans with the necessities of life and forms the basis for economies - everything Man consumes originates from the natural world.

It is extremely crucial to take action now to preserve biodiversity, as there is mounting scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis. “The latest analysis of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” says Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “It’s time for governments to get serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we’re rapidly running out of time.”

In order to increase awareness of the enormous variety of life, and raise the profile of threatened species across the globe, IUCN has identified The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ “Species of the Day” - For each day of 2010, a different species will be featured on the IUCN website. The 365 species selected will represent the entire range of groups and cover all regions, with each daily fact sheet providing information on the threats to their existence.

Click here for today’s “Species of the Day”.