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Frequently Asked Questions

Photo: Interagency Comm. Outdoor Recreation

What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the full range of life in all its forms.  Sometimes referred to as the “web of life,” biodiversity includes the habitats in which life occurs, the ways that species and habitats interact with each other, and the physical environment and processes that support those interactions. 

Biodiversity is expressed at several different levels of organization: genetic, species, ecosystems, and landscapes.  All of these levels must be considered to conserve biodiversity.

Are people a part of biodiversity?
Yes, we are. People co-evolved with the other species that share the Earth. At the heart of this question, however, is whether the conservation of biodiversity includes people.  Again, the answer is yes. 

While biodiversity is found on publicly owned lands, such as parks and reserves, it also occurs on private lands owned by farmers, tree farmers, and others.  Private lands play a tremendous role in conservation.

Not all land containing biodiversity can or should be placed in reserves; nor would most people want to live without the products derived from farms and forests, and the economic benefits of that production.  Therefore, efforts must be made when necessary to help private landowners retain biodiversity, as well as the commercial uses that help sustain that biodiversity.  Sometimes this includes ensuring that private lands are retained in agricultural or forested uses rather than being urbanized.

Why is biodiversity important? 
Biodiversity is important for ecological, economic and spiritual/cultural reasons:

Ecological: Human, as well as all other life on Earth, is the product of millions of years of evolution. Every species is ideally suited to exploit a particular niche within a community of interacting species and habitats. When one species is eliminated from that community, the entire community may be affected.

Economic: Species and ecosystems provide a variety of goods and services. We depend on food, fiber, building materials, and fuel from the natural world. Individual species have provided cures for devastating diseases and continue to be a source of new medicines. Forests and wetlands provide ecosystem services by storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and by filtering and storing water from precipitation, offsetting the need for costly technological solutions. 

Spiritual/Cultural: Spiritual and cultural traditions throughout history, including those of Native Americans, have viewed humans as part of the greater community of life.  Other traditions hold that humans occupy a unique position in this community, but nonetheless have an obligation to be good stewards of the earth. The community of life can be a source of wonder, comfort, and reverence for all.

What is happening to biodiversity?
Biodiversity is being lost across the globe.  Although biodiversity is difficult to measure, indicators such as trends for forest cover and fisheries abundance show a continuing decline.  These trends portend not only the extinction of many thousands of species, but disasters for the human population—us— that depends on them. Many conservation biologists believe we are now entering a period of mass extinction (the last one – 65 million years ago – spelled the demise of 85 percent of life on earth).

The challenge for humanity in the 21st century is to reverse this course of events, but the first step is to stabilize loss.  The United Nations Environment Program believes that with concerted effort, it is still possible to achieve the 2010 target of the International Convention on Biological Diversity: “a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth.” 

In Washington, we are fortunate to still have much of our native biodiversity, but it can only persist with ongoing vigilance and effort.  Two ecoregions – the Puget Trough and the Columbia Plateau – have undergone the most drastic reductions of biodiversity.

What are the causes of biodiversity loss?
The five principal causes of biodiversity loss are known by the acronym of HIPPO:

Habitat loss
Invasive species
Pollution
Population growth (and increased consumption of goods and services)
Over-exploitation.

Climate change is an emerging threat to biodiversity that will change temperature and water cycles, create pathways for new pathogens and insects, and alter ecosystem function. 

In Washington, scientists believe the most serious threats to biodiversity are habitat loss, invasive species, population growth, and climate change.

What is Washington State doing about it?
Washington is at the forefront of conservation science and policy:

Restoration of federal public lands. The state’s federal public lands provide irreplaceable habitat for many native species.  The Northwest Forest Plan of 1994 provides a blueprint for restoring federal lands in the range of the northern spotted owl.

Funding for habitat conservation. Since 1991, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition has worked tirelessly to secure funding for habitat conservation. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in the purchase of intact and strategically located habitat and natural areas. 

Salmon habitat restoration. The state Legislature responded to the listing of many of the state’s salmon runs under the federal Endangered Species Act by authorizing and funding grassroots salmon habitat restoration efforts that have had enormous success in engaging local communities in conservation.  Restoration of river flows and riparian vegetation also benefits many other species.

Habitat Conservation Plans. Many of the state’s largest forestland owners have adopted these Plans, which identify habitat conservation measures taken for northern spotted owls and other forest-dependent species in exchange for regulatory certainty.

The Forests and Fish Agreement. This agreement, entered into by forest landowners; federal, state, and county governments; and tribes, became law in 1999. Similar in concept to the Habitat Conservation Plans for owls, except that it includes multiple parties and applies to salmon habitat and riparian areas. Practices under the Agreement provide cool, clean water for salmon by controlling sedimentation from roads and retaining trees in riparian areas.

Ecoregional Assessments. The Nature Conservancy and other partners have advanced conservation science by developing ecoregional assessments for each of the state’s nine ecoregions.

Cooperation and coordination. A new era in conservation seems to be emerging as traditional resource-based economic activity becomes less important to the overall state economy.  Conservation groups and landowners are working together in a number of settings to revitalize local communities and conserve biodiversity.

Puget Sound Partnership. Renewed attention is being focused on restoring the health of Puget Sound.

Leadership on Climate Change.  The Departments of Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development have completed the state's draft interim climate change report. This interim report was prepared in response to the executive order signed by Governor Gregoire in February 2007, establishing goals for reductions in climate pollution, increases in jobs, and reductions in expenditures on imported fuel. 

Washington Biodiversity Council.   The Council has developed the Washington Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. 

These efforts speak highly of the conservation ethic of Washingtonians, but much remains to be done to ensure that future generations have the same opportunity as the current one to enjoy our priceless natural heritage.

What can you do?
Biodiversity conservation begins with recognizing the importance of maintaining the web of life, upon which we depend for life itself.  This awareness then leads to taking action.  Here are a few practical ways to make a difference:

Choose native species for landscaping and gardening. Plant a hedgerow or explore xeriscaping (pdf file).

Calculate your carbon dioxide emissions and avoid unnecessary car trips.
Each gallon of gas burned releases 20 pounds of CO2.  If average gas mileage is 22 miles per gallon, then each mile driven produces almost one pound of CO2.  (Source: The Conservation Fund) 

Buy locally produced food and timber products whenever possible – you’ll be helping to keep local farmers and forestland owners in business.

Speak-out for special places in your community.

Support your local land trust and other conservation organizations.

Become a “citizen scientist.”

Lead nature hikes for children.

Click here to learn about more things you can do, as suggested by the American Museum of Natural History.