Biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the term given to the variety of life. Every living organism, from microscopic algae to large mammals, contributes to life on Earth. Biodiversity can be assessed globally and within biomes; the large communities existing in particular locations across the globe due to prevailing climatic conditions. At smaller scales, biodiversity can be assessed within ecosystems or individual habitat types.

Why does biodiversity matter?

The threats of global population growth, industrialisation and climate change, coupled with prolonged trends of species decline have raised concerns over the alarming depletion of the planet’s biodiversity, and prompted international efforts to conserve the variety of life on Earth. The Convention on Biological Diversity is an initiative to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, the document for which was opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit on 5th June 1992. In April 2002, a target was set by the Parties to the Convention to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity globally by 2010, the year that has also been declared as the International Year of Biodiversity by the
United Nations.

Direct and indirect stimuli exist for the want to sustain the variety of life on Earth. Amongst the direct impacts is the decrease in availability of biological resources, such as the medicinal properties of many plant extracts and the provision of timber for the construction industry. As the variety of life is depleted, many species, especially those which are already vulnerable, rare or endemic, will become extinct. Human populations across the globe also depend indirectly on biodiversity. The positive link between the variety in nature and human physical and mental wellbeing is well documented. For many, biodiversity simple has an intrinsic value and is not simply a tool for anthropogenic use and exploitation.

Northumbrian Water Limited’s role

At Northumbrian Water Limited, we strive to ensure that our operational work has minimal detrimental impact on the environment and meet the voluntary, internationally-recognised standards of ISO 14000. This group of standards, regulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) includes ISO 14001, provides a management tool for the achievement of internal and external environmental objectives. ISO 140001 enables Northumbrian Water Limited to:

• Identify and control the impact of our activities

• Continually improve our environmental performance

• Create a systematic approach for setting environmental targets

Through meeting the standards of ISO 14000, we are lessening our negative impacts on biodiversity. Many of our capital projects give us the opportunity to enhance biodiversity in areas previously less favourable for wildlife. Beyond our operational areas, Northumbrian Water Limited is taking positive steps to improve biodiversity within the wider landscape through the Branch Out initiative. (hyperlink to the words Branch Out to Branch Out Intro page)

References

Convention on Biological Diversity (2010). History of the convention. Available from: http://www.cbd.int/history/ [Date accessed: 3rd June 2010].

Convention on Biological Diversity (2010). 2010 Biodiversity Target. Available from: http://www.cbd.int/2010-target/ [Date accessed: 3rd June 2010].

International Organization for Standardization (2010). ISO 14000 essentials. Available from: http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_14000_essentials [Date accessed: 4th June 2010].