Why is Biodiversity in Our Ecosystem so Important?
Surrounded by ocean and formed by volcanic hot spots, Hawaii’s isolation and geological activity shape the biodiversity of the islands. With over 25,000 unique species, Hawaii is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. A large percentage of these species are only found in the islands of Hawaii. While the number of species is impressive, these birds, insects, mammals, and plants live in a delicate balance. As an isolated oceanic archipelago, the Hawaiian Islands offer insight into evolutionary processes that are unmatched in their beauty and complexity. Left to evolve on their own in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian species developed their own unique evolutionary traits. Each species’ survival depends on a host of other species, and when one species is lost the entire framework of Hawaiian ecology is disturbed. Unfortunately, Hawaii has the highest rate of extinction per square mile on Earth, and many endemic Hawaiian species are currently threatened or endangered.