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Why bioabundance is important
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We often hear about biodiversity – the variety of species in an ecosystem – but what about how many of each species actually remain? That’s where bioabundance comes in. It’s not just about whether a species exists, but whether its population is thriving, shrinking, or hanging on by a thread.
“An ecosystem full of rare species may sound healthy, but without enough individuals to play their roles – from pollinators to predators – the system starts to unravel.”
Bioabundance gives us a clearer picture of ecosystem health and stability, yet it’s rarely talked about. And as global wildlife populations decline, it's time we started paying attention.
In this article, we’ll explore why bioabundance matters, how it’s being lost, and what we can do to protect the ecosystems we all depend on.
What is bioabundance?
“Bioabundance refers to the number of individuals within each species of plant or animal. Unlike biodiversity, which measures the variety of species in a given area, it tells us how many organisms of each species are actually present. It’s a critical measure in ecology and conservation because it highlights the importance of population size in maintaining an ecosystem's overall health and stability.”
Conservation efforts often focus on preventing species extinction and protecting biodiversity, which are vital goals. But this focus can sometimes miss the bigger picture. A species may survive, but if its numbers are too low to play its ecological role, the ecosystem still suffers. Without considering population abundance, we risk underestimating the true scale of ecosystem decline.
To fully understand the health of an ecosystem, scientists will look at the number of individuals within specific species, alongside other key indicators. Together, these measures provide a more complete picture:
Species richness (biodiversity)
The variety of species in a given area. It highlights diversity, but doesn’t show whether those species are abundant or in decline.
Phylogeny (genetic differences)
The range of genetic variation within and between species. This diversity helps species adapt to environmental changes and stay resilient.
Function (roles in an ecosystem)
The different roles species perform in an ecosystem, like pollination, seed dispersal, or nutrient cycling. These roles can’t be fulfilled if populations are too low.
By incorporating species abundance into how we assess and protect ecosystems, we gain a more realistic understanding of what’s thriving, what’s at risk, and which aspects of ecosystem health need the most urgent attention.
How is bioabundance measured?
“Measuring species abundance isn’t as simple as counting animals in a field. It’s a complex task that requires a mix of scientific tools and technologies to estimate how many individuals of each species are present, and where. Researchers rely on a combination of population surveys, species distribution models, and genetic analyses to build a picture of abundance across different ecosystems.”
Today, advances in satellite imaging, remote sensing, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing have made it possible to monitor population abundance on a much larger scale than ever before, even in remote or difficult-to-access areas.
Here are some of the key indicators scientists use to estimate species abundance:
- Population density: The number of individuals per unit area. This helps gauge whether a species is thriving or struggling to maintain a sustainable population.
- Species distribution: Knowing where species are found, and in what concentrations, reveals patterns of abundance and highlights potential threats or habitat changes.
- Genetic variability indices: These assess the genetic diversity within populations, which plays a key role in species’ ability to adapt, survive, and recover from environmental pressures.
“Getting a true sense of ecosystem health means going beyond species counts. We need to understand how abundant those species are, where they live, and how genetically resilient they are. This multidimensional approach is essential for protecting the long-term stability of ecosystems around the world.”
Why is bioabundance important?
Bioabundance is essential for keeping ecosystems stable and self-sustaining. While we often focus on saving rare species, declining population sizes within once-common species can quietly unravel entire ecosystems. Ecological processes – like seed dispersal and population control – depend on healthy numbers, not just the mere presence of a species.
Small declines can trigger significant consequences. A drop in insect populations, for example, may seem minor at first, until crops go unpollinated, birds lose food sources, and soil quality declines. These knock-on effects can ripple outward, threatening the entire web of life.
“The scale of loss is sobering. Since the 1970s, global populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have fallen by an average of 69%. In freshwater systems, the decline is even sharper – around 83%. These figures reflect not just isolated extinctions, but widespread erosion of abundance across species and habitats.”
Bioabundance and ecosystem resilience
Healthy ecosystems can bounce back from stress, but only if key species are present in sufficient numbers. The capacity to recover after fires, floods, or heatwaves often hinges on whether enough individuals survive to keep core functions going.
Take coral reefs. Corals don’t just build the reef structure, they also support marine life, stabilise shorelines, and regulate carbon and nutrient cycles. In reefs with high species abundance, even after a bleaching event, enough coral polyps typically survive to allow slow regeneration.
But in degraded reefs where populations are already low, those same stressors can lead to collapse. Fewer surviving corals means less chance of recovery and the loss of habitat, food chains, and storm protection that coastal communities rely on.
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Why bioabundance matters for people
Bioabundance isn’t just an environmental issue – it’s tightly linked to human well-being, from food security to climate stability.
Food security
Declining fish stocks, vanishing pollinators, and reduced soil biodiversity all impact our ability to grow and harvest food. Abundant populations of key species are essential for stable, productive food systems.
Pharmacological research
Many medicines are derived from plants, fungi, and animals. The greater the abundance, the more material is available for research and innovation. When populations dwindle, we risk losing the chance to discover important new treatments.
Raw materials
Industries that rely on biological resources, such as timber or plant fibers, depend on healthy, regenerating populations. Reduced species abundance can mean supply shortages and economic loss.
Ecosystem services
Nature purifies air and water, sequesters carbon, and regulates temperature – but only if enough organisms are present to do the work. For example, phytoplankton help produce much of the oxygen we breathe.
Climate regulation
Forests, wetlands, and grasslands act as carbon sinks, but only when the species within them exist in sufficient numbers. Deforestation and species decline reduce the Earth’s capacity to regulate climate.
Threats to bioabundance
Most threats to bioabundance come down to one thing: human activity. From how we use land to how we consume resources, our actions are pushing many species toward decline, even if they haven’t gone extinct.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
As cities expand, farmland grows, and industry spreads, natural habitats are carved up or lost entirely. This reduces the space species need to feed, breed, and shelter, making it harder for populations to recover.
- Forests cleared for crops or livestock
- Wetlands drained for urban development
- Natural corridors are fragmented by roads or infrastructure
Even species that survive in isolated patches often struggle to reproduce or migrate, leading to slow but steady declines in population.
Pollution
Pollutants in air, soil, and water can decimate species even in otherwise intact habitats. The impacts are especially severe for smaller or more sensitive organisms.
- Pesticides and herbicides harm pollinators, amphibians, and soil microbes
- Plastic waste entangles marine life or enters food chains as microplastics
- Industrial runoff and heavy metals poison waterways and aquatic species
Climate change
Global heating is disrupting everything from migration patterns to breeding cycles. Sudden shifts in temperature, rainfall, or seasons can leave species out of sync with food sources or shelter availability.
- Coral bleaching from rising sea temperatures
- Earlier springs are affecting bird migration and insect emergence
- Shifting habitats are pushing species into unsuitable or crowded areas
Overexploitation of natural resources
Overfishing, hunting, and unsustainable logging don’t just reduce the numbers of target species, they also disturb broader ecosystem relationships.
- Collapsing fish stocks reduce food for seabirds and marine mammals
- Logging removes key tree species, altering soil and canopy structure
- Poaching and wildlife trade can wipe out local populations entirely
When these pressures combine, the result is often a sharp decline in abundance, contributing to long-term biodiversity loss even if the species technically survives.
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The long-term impacts of declining bioabundance
When species abundance falls below a certain threshold, ecosystems begin to lose their balance. The loss of individuals may not make headlines like extinctions do, but it quietly undermines the systems we rely on.
As numbers dwindle, the natural world becomes more fragile, less resilient, and less capable of supporting both wildlife and human communities. The effects can unfold slowly or cascade quickly; either way, the consequences are far-reaching.
Here’s a summary of what declining species abundance puts at risk:
Loss of ecosystem services
Essential services like:
- Pollination
- Water purification
- Soil fertility
- Carbon storage
...all depend on stable populations of key species. As population abundance declines, so does nature’s capacity to support life.
Lower genetic diversity
When species populations shrink, genetic variety declines too. This makes it harder for species to adapt to environmental change or fight off disease, and can increase the risk of transmission of pathogens through weakened populations, leaving ecosystems more vulnerable to future shocks.
Cascading effects
When one species declines, it can trigger a chain reaction that affects other species.
A loss of prey species can starve predators. A missing pollinator can collapse a plant population. These ripple effects can trigger:
- Local extinctions
- Collapse of food webs
- Irreversible ecological shifts
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Preserving bioabundance
“There’s no single fix for preserving bioabundance. It takes a layered approach, combining traditional conservation, smarter land use, community engagement, and emerging technology. Every strategy plays a part in maintaining healthy ecosystems, protecting the natural world, and rebuilding population numbers where they’ve dropped. ”
Actions that support bioabundance:
Create and manage protected areas
Well-managed protected areas, like national parks and nature reserves, are essential for safeguarding species and habitats. They provide critical spaces where nature can thrive with minimal human interference.
To be effective, protected areas must:
- Be large and connected enough to support healthy populations
- Prevent illegal activities such as poaching or logging
- Maintain natural habitat conditions and biodiversity
Promote sustainable land and water use
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing can support or destroy bioabundance, depending on how they’re managed. Shifting to practices that work with nature rather than against it helps maintain healthy populations and enhance long-term ecosystem resilience.
Sustainable approaches include:
- Organic farming and permaculture that avoid harmful pesticides
- Agroforestry that integrates trees into farming systems
- Selective logging and responsible fisheries that avoid overexploitation
Involve and empower local communities
Conservation efforts are far more effective when they include the people who know the land best, and when there is strong communication between communities, scientists, and policymakers. Local communities often hold deep knowledge of their ecosystems and a strong stake in their preservation.
- Include communities in decision-making and planning
- Offer economic alternatives that support conservation goals
- Invest in environmental education and youth programs
Use technology to monitor and protect ecosystems
Technology is transforming the way we conserve nature. New tools help scientists and conservationists gather data and respond faster to threats.
Emerging technologies include:
- Drones and satellite imaging to monitor habitat loss and wildlife
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect species presence in water or soil
- AI and machine learning to analyze trends and flag illegal activity
Restore degraded ecosystems
Restoration ecology is gaining ground as a powerful way to rebuild abundance in damaged landscapes. These efforts can bring species back to areas where they've declined or disappeared.
Key strategies include:
- Reintroducing native species
- Restoring wetlands, forests, and other natural habitats
- Reconnecting fragmented landscapes to allow wildlife movement
Integrate biodiversity into business and policy
Protecting bioabundance and preventing extinction isn’t just a job for conservationists; it needs to be built into the way we run economies and govern societies.
- Companies can embed biodiversity goals into sourcing and supply chains
- Governments can set legal targets, incentives, and penalties
- Financial institutions can assess biodiversity-related risks
Tackle climate change
Climate action and biodiversity protection go hand in hand. Efforts to stabilize the climate help ecosystems stay within the thresholds that species depend on.
Key climate actions that support bioabundance:
- Reducing fossil fuel emissions
- Scaling up renewable energy
- Protecting and expanding natural carbon sinks like forests, peatlands, and oceans
While these actions are essential, they sit within a broader – and still evolving – global effort to address species abundance through international policy and conservation targets.
Global efforts to protect species abundance
While the term bioabundance isn’t always used directly, the concept is central to many international biodiversity frameworks. Species population trends are increasingly recognized as key indicators of ecosystem health, and several global agreements now include targets to restore or maintain abundance.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (COP15)
Adopted in 2022 under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Target 4: Halt human-induced extinctions and restore native species abundance.
Target 2: Restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) aim to halt biodiversity loss and protect ecosystems. Species abundance trends are used as progress indicators.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
Part of the European Green Deal. Includes goals to reverse pollinator decline, restore ecosystems, and increase species abundance across the EU.
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
Focuses on maintaining viable population levels for migratory species through coordinated conservation and cross-border habitat protection.
Global monitoring tools
The Living Planet Index and Red List Index track changes in species abundance and guide conservation priorities worldwide.
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