Scientists have identified only 1.7 million species and there could be over 100 million on Earth (NWF, 2015).
"Most medical discoveries to cure diseases and lengthen life spans were made because of research into plant and animal biology and genetics. Every time a species
goes extinct or genetic diversity is lost, we will never know whether research would have given us a new vaccine or drug" (NWF, 2015).
An environment with many different species has a variety of genes, Figure 2. These genes can be used to
improve society only if they are not destroyed by human activities. Species are going extinct at an accelerated rate
due to habitat loss, over exploitation, the spread of non-native species or diseases, climate change, and pollution
(NWF, 2015).
Africa is home to incredibly unique flora and fauna, which means the
continent’s traditional medicines are comprised of an interesting
combination of plants and sometimes animals. These plant species have been used in Africa for medical purposes for generations.
Regions in Africa produce the plants such as barks, roots, and bulbs that can be used as remedies in traditional medicine. “It is
estimated that 80% of the globe’s population relies on traditional medicines” (The Conversation, 2015).
Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot because 70% of the species that reside there are unique to the island. Human activity such as deforestation
is affecting Madagascar and the species that live there, Figure 3. If deforestation continues, then important genes will be lost (The
Conversation, 2015).
