BIODIVERSITY

C. The Importance Of Biodiversity

As Food Source.

Example : Most people in Indonesia depend on rice (Oryza sativa) as their main carbohydrate source but western people are mostly depend on bread or potato (Solanum tuberosum) as their main carbohydrate source. Then, there are several plant species that can be used as natural food coloring such as suji, secang, rice straws, palm sugars, and turmeric. In Indonesia itself, there are 400 species of fruitproducing plants, 370 species of vegetables, 70 species of tuber plants, and 55 species of spices plants.

As Clothing and Housing Source.

Potential sources of clothing such as cotton, ramie fibers, jute, abaa, agave, and silk worms. Sapindus rarak as batik soap used by the batik producers. Agrostophyllum majos used by The Dani tribe to make yokel (dress for married women) and Ficus drupacea to make wen. Eleocharis dulcis used to make dress for young girls. Lagenaria siceraria used to make koteka/holim. Calamus sp. used to make battle clothing. Borassus sundaicus and Corypha utan used by the people in Alor island as materials for roof and house walls. Palms species such as Nypa fruticans, Oncosperma horridum, and Oncosperma tigillarium used by the people in Sumatera, Borneo, and Java for house materials.

As Medicinal and Cosmetic Ingredients. Indonesia has 940 species of medicinal herbs, but only 120 species are listed so far in the medical industry. People of Lombok Island know 19 plant that can be used as contraception. They are among others: pule, galangale, turi (Sesbania grandiflora), temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), reed, papaya, bread fruit, castoro oil plant, pineapple, ginger, pepper, coffe, banana, lontar, Casuarina, bangkel, and duwet which can produced into 30 different medicinal herbs. The Javanese also know at least 77 medicinal plant species that used to cure dieases. The People of Sumbawa know 7 plant species for muscular oil ointment. Some of them are salban, sawak, kesumang roots, malang stem, and sengketan woods. And many more.

As Cultural Source. Muslims need cows and goat during the Qurban Holiday, Christians use Cyprus tree during Christmas, and Hindu celebrations need different kind of plants and flower for their ceremonies.

D. The Loss Of Biodiversity

Causes of the loss of biodiversity : Fragmentation and the Loss of Habitat. In the last couple decades, it is very rare to find an ecosystems that havent yet been touched by humans. The increase of human population followed by the overuse of natural resources are the main reasons. Dam building is destroying most river habitat, off-shore construction and poor fishing methods have destroyed coral reefs, agriculture extensification and logging have caused the total forest area to decrease rapidly.

Species Introduction. Species introduction is an effort to introduce foreign species to habitats in which there have been many local species. In an isolated ecosystem, the emergence of predators, competitors, or pathogens can threat the species within it. For example : In Indonesia, the cultivation of super variety of rice has caused the loss of wild-type variety. Over-Exploitation of Plant and Animal Species. Some forestry, fishery and wildlife resources have been overly exploited to the point of extinction. Javan and Sumateran rhinos have been hunted to the verge of extinction. Soil, Air, and Water Pollutions. Pollutants pollute the ecosystem and eliminate sensitive species. Many soil microorganisms have vanished due to industrial heavy metal and agricultural waste. Pollutant contamination is accumulated throughout the food chain, a process known as biomagnifications.

Global Climate Change. The increase of carbon dioxide pollution in the air has most probably led to an increase in the Earths temperature. This also include a changing ecosystem habitat conditions which caused some organismsll be unable to survive in their current habitats. Rising sea levels may drown low-ling land areas and even my drown entire islands. Forest and Agriculture Industrialization. Traditional farming methods are used to maintain biodiversity of crops and cattle. However, biodiversity is rapidly decreasing by the development and use of modern hybridization program. These programs increase agricultural production by using less crop varieties that are better in response to water, fertilizer, and pesticide. Besides, monoculture farming has also decreased local biodiversity.

E. Biodiversity Conservation