Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth, encompassing the differences among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems. It includes the diversity of species, genetic variation within those species, and the complex ecological systems that support them. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem health, resilience, and the provision of ecosystem services, such as food production, clean water, and climate regulation. It plays a significant role in the functioning of ecosystems, aiding in processes like pollination, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. The loss of biodiversity threatens ecosystems and decreases their ability to provide these essential services, highlighting the importance of conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Biodiversity can be measured at different levels, including genetic diversity (the variety of genes within a species), species diversity (the number of different species in a given area), and ecosystem diversity (the variety of ecosystems within a specific region).
Japan's forests, covering 67% of the country, face a crisis of neglect, leading to ecological and economic challenges. Pollen from cedar and cypress trees causes allergies, but the deeper issues…