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To fully understand the significance of this day, we must first ask ourselves: what exactly is biodiversity?
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the variety of living organisms that inhabit the Earth, as well as the complex relationships between them and their environment. This richness encompasses everything from animals to plants, from fungi to microorganisms, to the small genetic differences that exist between individuals of the same species. It also includes the diversity of ecosystems-forests, lakes, agricultural areas or deserts-each with its own balance and interactions between the physical environment and the organisms that inhabit it.
Far from being an abstract concept, biodiversity is present in the soils we cultivate, in the crops that feed billions of people, and in the ecosystem services that are fundamental to our lives.
Its importance is indisputable: biodiversity is the base life on Earth. It shapes natural ecosystems, from jungles to farmland, where all living things depend on each other to survive, grow and thrive. This balance is essential for the functioning of food chains, soil, air and water quality, and the maintenance of fundamental natural processes. For example, many plants depend on soil microorganisms to grow, just as insects depend on various plants for food.
Biodiversity is also crucial for humans: more than 80 percent of our diet comes from plants, and an estimated 40 percent of modern medicines originate from nature and traditional knowledge.
A particularly good example to illustrate the importance of biodiversity is that of pollinators, such as bees. Nearly 90 percent of wild plant species and more than 75 percent of food crops depend on pollination. Without pollinators, ecosystems would collapse, and with them our food security. That's why protecting bees is not only an ecological imperative, but also an economic and health imperative: in the European Union, their contribution to agriculture is estimated at 15 billion euros per year.
Therefore, biodiversity is not only about conservation, but also about resilience and well-being. Whenever an ecosystem is degraded, whether due to deforestation, intensive agricultural practices or climate change, the health of the species that inhabit it, including our own, is at risk. In a globalized world, this also translates into an increased risk of communicable diseases between animals and humans. Biodiversity, then, is a common good and its loss affects us all.
And precisely because it is critical to understand what biodiversity is and why it plays an essential role for life on Earth, we must invest in education and public awareness. With this in mind, the United Nations has declared May 22 World Biodiversity Day, a date dedicated to reflection, awareness and action to protect the natural balance on which we depend. In the same vein, May 20 is World Bee Day, to remind us of the essential role of these pollinators in ecosystems and agriculture and to raise awareness of threats to them, such as pesticide use, habitat loss and climate change. These two dates remind us that protecting biodiversity means protecting our future.
Biodiversity is disappearing at an unprecedented rate, and we humans are mainly responsible for it. This is confirmed by an international study published in Nature, which analyzed nearly 100,000 sites on all continents. According to the study, conducted by researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Water Science and Technology (Eawag) and the University of Zurich,human activity has caused an average 20 percent decrease in the number of species in areas that have been altered. This is not just about numbers: we are talking about the disappearance of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and insects, the collapse of entire ecosystems and the destruction of the natural networks that are the base our daily lives.
The five main factors of this crisis are well known: habitat destruction, over-exploitation of resources, climate change, invasive species, and pollution. At the heart of many of these factors is intensive agriculture, which, through massive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and reliance on monocultures, is emptying fields of life and impoverishing soils.
However, the consequences go far beyond the natural environment and directly impact our health, economy and security. When key species such as pollinators disappear, food production is at risk. When ecosystems are degraded, it accelerates the spread of diseases, including zoonoses, which are diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Loss of biodiversity also increases the cost of access to clean water, debilitates natural barriers against extreme events such as floods and droughts, and hinders the development of new medicines-remember that 40 percent of the medicines we have today come from nature.
According to the United Nations, one in four species could be at risk of extinction in the coming decades. This is not just an environmental problem, but a social and economic emergency that jeopardizes the well-being of entire generations. Stopping this loss is not an option but an urgent necessity.
In the face of alarming biodiversity loss, there is an urgent need for global solutions that not only halt the damage but actively restore ecosystems. The most effective strategies include protecting key habitats, ecological restoration, reducing pollution, controlling invasive species and, most importantly, transforming the agricultural model.
Agriculture plays a crucial role: it represents both a serious threat to biodiversity and a great opportunity for its conservation. Promoting more sustainable agricultural systems, which reduce chemical use, diversify crops, protect soils, and promote ecological corridors, can reverse much of the current damage.
In this context, digital technologies and monitoring tools are promoting more environmentally friendly agriculture. In fact, platforms such as xFarm already enable farmers to monitor, analyze and optimize every step of the agricultural process, from water and fertilizer use to land, crop and biodiversity management.
Constantly evaluating agricultural practices provides in-depth information not only on soil and production conditions, but also on biodiversity and its impact on the rest of the ecosystem. These digital solutions not only help comply with environmental regulations, but also promoteregenerative agriculture based on knowledge and prevention.
Although biodiversity is difficult to quantify with a single metric, indicators such as species richness or abundance and threat levels are critical in guiding public policy and business decisions.
As part of its commitment to more biodiversity-friendly agriculture, xFarmTechnologies is developing a specific module to assess the impact of agricultural activities on biodiversity. This will enable users to measure, monitor and optimize key practices, facilitating much more informed decision-making emirated to the specific context. These technological innovations pave the way for a new way of farming: farming that not only produces but also protects.
As UNESCO reminds us, "Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet, sustaining human well-being in the present and in the future." Its conservation is not a choice, but an urgent necessity in the face of the multiple crises we are facing.
Celebrating days like May 22 oil 20 are more than symbolic gestures; they are opportunities to reflect, inform and act. Only through the combined efforts of governments, businesses, farmers and citizens can we protect this common heritage and ensure a sustainable future for all.
In this journey, scientific research and technological development are key allies. They help us better understand ecosystems, identify emerging threats, and design effective conservation and restoration strategies. Tools such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology applied to soil and biodiversity studies open up new possibilities to act with precision and foresight.
Only by combining knowledge and action can we achieve a true balance between production and conservation.
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22215.doc.htm
https://www.nri.org/latest/news/2024/world-bee-day-how-we-are-helping-protect-the-worlds-pollinators
https://epthinktank.eu/2024/05/20/world-bee-day-2024-we-all-depend-on-bees/
https://blog.mdpi.com/2024/05/22/international-day-for-biological-diversity/
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/biological-diversity
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