How Environmental Biotechnology influence biodiversity | How Agricultural crops play role in conserving biodiversity 2023

 

How Agricultural Crops Conserve Biodiversity in 2024

How environmental biotechnology has influenced its role in conserving biodiversity in 2024. We can protect biodiversity through the agricultural practices of biotechnology. Ecological biodiversity is possible because of agricultural crops. 

Introduction

Nowadays, biodiversity is essential to our lives since it gives us access to food, clothing, medication, shelter, and other necessities for health. Biohazards in the environment and agricultural practices will be the main cause of biodiversity protection in 2024. Agricultural systems that have undergone biotechnological change would benefit biodiversity. 

The impact of environmental biotechnology on biodiversity is examined in this article, which also emphasizes how it supports ecological balance and sustainable development.  

The preservation of biodiversity has grown to be an international issue that calls for a coordinated response. Major sources of biodiversity degradation include overexploitation, pollution, disease and pandemics, deforestation, introduced species, land-use change, and abrupt climate changes. 

Environmental biotechnology impacts biodiversity:

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is one of the ways that affects biodiversity. Utilizing microorganisms and plants, bioremediation breaks down harmful contaminants. Environmental Biotechnology plays an essential role in maintaining biodiversity and repairing ecosystems by accelerating the breakdown of pollutants. 

Resource Recovery and Waste Management

Resource recovery and waste management are critical areas in which environmental biotechnology is essential. Utilizing biological processes aids in the transformation of organic waste into useful resources. Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic waste using microorganisms to create biogas, an alternative energy source. Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, this strategy aids in the preservation of biodiversity. 

Preserving and Restoring the Environment

Loss of biodiversity destroys the ecosystem and reduces the adaptability of the natural environment. Environmental biotechnology provides an innovative method for protecting and restoring ecosystems. Methods like genetic engineering and habitat restoration contribute to the sustainable existence of different species, the conservation of a genetic variety, and the maintenance of a robust ecosystem. 

Mitigation and Adaptation to climate change

Global biodiversity is facing serious threats due to climate change. Potential remedies for both mitigating and adapting to climate change are provided by environmental biotechnology. For instance, biofuels made from renewable resources can be used to replace fossil fuels and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biotechnology helps maintain species that are sensitive to climate change and develop crops that can withstand changing climatic circumstances. 

Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Environmental biotechnology ensures food security and promotes sustainable agriculture while minimizing its negative effects on biodiversity. Scientists have created environmentally friendly crops with increased resilience to diseases and pests through methods like genetic engineering. This lessens the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which lessens the negative impact of traditional farming on biodiversity. 

Environmental Health Monitoring and Assessment

Comprehending the condition of ecosystems is imperative for proficient conservation and administration. Tools for tracking and evaluating the state of the environment are provided by environmental biotechnology. Scientists can identify and assess the health of different creatures and ecosystems with the use of biomarkers and molecular approaches. This information aids in the identification and management of environmental stressors, preserving an ecosystem's health and safeguarding biodiversity.

Environmental Biotechnology 2023

 

How Agricultural crops contribute to biodiversity conservation:

The relation between biotechnology and biodiversity accounts for about 40% of biomass/landmass devoted to agriculture. The main land area is used to grow crops by displacing natural habitats. However, now the traditional methods of farming have been changed when the first successful genetically engineered (GM) plant was developed in the 1980s that is tobacco and petunia, then in the 1990s tomato, and up till 2015 more than 20 plant species have been genetically engineered. Biotech crops are the fastest-adopted crop innovation in the history of modern agriculture.

3.      Reduction in carbon dioxide explosions 

The application of GM technology in maize, soybeans, and cotton has reduced agricultural area and input consumption, saving greenhouse gas emissions and reducing Co2 emissions. The efficient way to reduce carbon dioxide explosion is to reduce fossil consumption. By the use of GM crops, thousands of acres have been converted to zero-tillage. Tillage reduction has resulted in 2 billion kg less carbon dioxide emission, a considerable environmental advantage.

 

4.      Less Area consumption

The expansion of farmland has become the biggest threat to the environment in 2023. The extension of farmland is a major contributor to species loss and global warming. To sustain the current agricultural production levels, an extra million hectares of the field would have to be farmed globally without enhancing GMO production. Novel techniques in agriculture have the potential to help farmers generate more with less area. Increasing yields on farmed lands could lessen the need for new crops conserving the natural flora and fauna of the ecosystem.

 

5.     Maintained Climate conditions

The GM crops that are developed, help with climate adaptation. Drought-tolerant maize cultivars have outperformed conventional crop varieties in Eastern and South African countries. Climate change means reducing gasses from the greenhouse into the air to prevent the planet from warming to life-threatening temperatures.

Furthermore, genetically modified crops produced through genetic modification have been considered an essential component of an approach to combat the effects of climate change like drought intolerance and armyworm harm in Africa.

Conclusion:

Biodiversity conservation is the sustainable restoration of wildlife, natural resources such as forests, shelter, water, etc, enduring survival of threatened species and habitats, providing valuable resources to secure future generations, and protecting the well-being of the ecosystem.

Agriculture must be an answer to biodiversity loss in 2023 because it is the second-largest cause of species extinction. Although biotech crops will not address all our agricultural challenges as discussed above, they will provide a considerable solution to some of the issues. However, Environmental biotechnology holds tremendous promise in influencing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. 

Environmental Biotechnology in 2023