Biodiversity at Risk: Analyzing the Socio-Economic Impacts of Ecological Degradation
Keywords:
biodiversity loss, ecological degradation, socio-economic impacts, environmental sustainability, habitat destruction, climate change, conservation strategies, sustainable development, ecosystem services, economic resilienceAbstract
Biodiversity loss has become one of the most pressing global environmental challenges, with far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Ecological degradation, driven by deforestation, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction, not only threatens species survival but also disrupts ecosystems that provide essential services such as food security, clean water, and climate regulation (IPBES, 2019). The socio-economic impacts of biodiversity loss are profound, affecting agriculture, fisheries, livelihoods, and human health. Rural communities, particularly those in developing nations, suffer disproportionately due to their dependence on natural resources (Dasgupta, 2021). The economic costs of biodiversity loss are also evident in declining agricultural yields, loss of medicinal resources, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters (Pimm et al., 2014).
