Increased Biodiversity, Stable Ecosystems, And A Healthy Planet - Why Wildlife Conservation Matters

Home
Blog
Our Cause
Increased Biodiversity, Stable Ecosystems, And A Healthy Planet - Why Wildlife Conservation Matters

Our Cause

Increased Biodiversity, Stable Ecosystems, And A Healthy Planet - Why Wildlife Conservation Matters

12 min read NOV 14, 2025

Key Takeaways

Wildlife conservation involves not only preserving and protecting wildlife animals and the habitats they depend upon, but it also involves understanding how different species interact and thrive harmoniously within the interconnectivity of ecosystems.
Once we understand the need for increased biodiversity and healthy, stable ecosystems, this knowledge turns to proper action in agriculture and beyond, supporting our planet naturally which, in turn, supports all life.

Wildlife conservation involves protecting and preserving wildlife as well as the habitats they depend on.
A stable ecosystem requires biodiversity, and biodiversity is greatly hindered when wildlife populations are threatened.
Five of today’s most endangered wildlife species include: Amur leopards, Sumatran tigers, eastern/western/mountain gorillas, multiple species of rhinoceros, and the Hawksbill turtle
We can support wildlife conservation even through our coffee habits, choosing options which are sustainably grown without wildlife/habitat threatening chemicals as well as those which improve the biodiversity of a region, thereby supporting healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations.

Mankind is the biggest threat to our planet’s wildlife. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Of course, we commonly think of threats as confrontational - man vs. beast in a woodsy setting, perhaps.

And, some find the use of animals for food, clothing, medicine, etc. to be the biggest threat facing these populations.

But the thing is, our threat to the animal kingdom is often far more subtle (though entirely impactful) than we might think.

Roadways built, agriculture sprayed, far-reaching expansion, urbanization…these are the biggest threats to plant and animal life all across the globe.

In other words, our desire for more, for bigger, for better, and for expansion is threatening animal life.

This means some of the “popular” foods you eat could be threatening animal life if they’ve required deforestation or the use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, etc.

And this also means complacency is not an option.

Why?

Because whether we realize it or not, a threat to wildlife is a threat to humanity.

When wildlife populations suffer, biodiversity decreases, ecosystems become unstable, and the ripples these catastrophes create are far-reaching.

So, today we’re going to explore this reach, looking at wildlife conservation, highlighting some of the world’s most endangered species, and seeing how your morning cup of joe could be coming to the aid of wildlife conservation or contributing to the endangerment of these fragile populations.

Wildlife Conservation Basics

Most of us have a basic understanding of wildlife conservation, or do we?

From early elementary education and beyond, we’ve been taught the importance of caring for our planet, of protecting land and species, but do we really grasp everything encompassed by this need?

Sure, we need to protect the planet because we value, in both need and awe, its resources.

And, we need to protect our world’s animal populations for similar reasons, right?

But, what’s really at stake here?

Take a look at the National Wildlife Federation’s basic definition of conservation - “wildlife conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants, and their habitats…”

I would venture to say we’ve all heard similar definitions throughout our lives, but these basics don’t exactly give us the truest picture of such efforts.

In other words…where’s the pain point?

Sad to say, most folks aren’t moved without a reason.

We often want to know: how does this affect me, or why does it matter?

And, when it comes to wildlife conservation, it matters more than we think…

The remainder of the definition introduced above states that in any efforts to protect wildlife populations, “it’s important to understand how species interact within their ecosystems and how they’re affected by environmental and human influences,” and this is where the ‘whys’ of wildlife conservation are found.

Our world is made up of ecosystems, or communities of living things which interact with their surrounding environment.

The thing is, every ecosystem is interconnected and therein lies the ‘pain point’ of wildlife conservation - when one ecosystem hurts, we all (eventually) feel it.

So then, what makes an ecosystem thrive? Or, what defines a healthy ecosystem?

In a word, biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the foundation, the support, or the bedrock of any healthy ecosystem.

And, in the simplest of terms, biodiversity simply refers to variety.

A variety of species living and working harmoniously in any given ecosystem is what fuels health for life on our planet.

Ecosystems which house a wide variety of species are more resilient to natural disasters such as drought, and this type of variation also aids in adaptation, helping species overcome disease and potential genetic changes.

Negatively speaking, when biodiversity decreases, or when this variety is threatened, our planet’s ecosystems become unstable.

Such instability then ripples in shockwaves which affect everything from food supply (for humans and animals) to health, the availability of medicines, the economy, disease risk, even aspects of cultural heritage, and more!

For illustration, let’s examine the effect of pollinators alone on not only the environment, but life as we know it - better yet, let’s refine this and look solely at the wonders of the honeybee:

Honeybees are thought to be the most important animal pollinator.
Should honeybees go extinct, the human diet would suffer tremendously, potentially leaving only self-pollinating crops like wheat, rice, and corn.
As food variety would diminish drastically, costs would be expected to rise exponentially.
Ecosystems which rely on bee-pollinated plants would collapse entirely.
Food scarcity combined with the dramatic surge in costs would lead to malnutrition and starvation in many areas.
All animals relying on bee-pollinated plants would die off. (If you’re unsure of this significance, consider what happened solely within Yellowstone National Park in the 1920s when wolf populations were removed - elk populations soared, rivers were re-routed, soils were less stable, erosion increased, vegetation was reduced, birds/fish/scavengers cleared the area or died off, and so much more!)

And this only scratches the surface!

The bottom line, when any species is threatened, no matter how tiny, biodiversity diminishes and ecosystems suffer.

As for the human species, humankind is entirely vulnerable.

We’re a needy people, requiring clean water, oxygen, and nourishment for survival.

And, these necessities are entirely reliant on biodiversity, on healthy ecosystems, and therefore on the conservation of wildlife.

Endangered Species Today

Once a species has been determined “high risk for extinction,” it is declared endangered.

And, a status of endangered in the wildlife world spells doom, as these species are rapidly declining in number for a variety of reasons.

The destruction of habitat tops the list of dangers wildlife animals face, though the cause for endangerment is often multifaceted, with competing species, pollution, and disease also threatening their ability to thrive, and ultimately survive.

As of this year, there are sadly more than 47,000 animals on the endangered species list.

Below we’ll be detailing only 5 of the animals that are most critically endangered today.

1- Amur Leopard

A rare Amur leopard walks through a snowy forest; its golden coat covered in striking black rosettes as it steps gracefully across the deep snow with trees dusted in white surrounding it.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world.

It is native to the forest and mountain regions of eastern Russia and northern China.

Today, experts estimate there are less than 130 left in the wild.

They are considered a leopard subspecies and have been on the critically endangered species list since 1996.

Though their numbers seem to be stable, even increasing right now, the loss of habitat this species has endured has led to their endangerment.

This loss of habitat has also led to fragmentation amongst the species, where some have been isolated due to infrastructure expansion, man-made fires, poaching, etc.

These woes have also caused scarcity regarding their typical prey which has contributed to population decline as well.

Many regions native to the amur leopard have now been preserved, and the hope for this species lies in the protection of these lands, potentially allowing the population to once again grow.

2- Sunda or Sumatran Tiger

A powerful tiger walks forward through deep snow, its orange coat and bold black stripes standing out against the white winter landscape as snowflakes fall around it.

Another big cat on the endangered species list is the Sumatran tiger.

This tiger is the smallest tiger subspecies in the world, only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

We’re partial to this endangered species, as this particular type of tiger is a loving part of our Lifeboost family.

In the summer of 2023, we were privileged to adopt Cinta, a Sumatran tigress.

Cinta was adopted as part of an effort to protect her, the territory where she lives, and the prey she relies upon for food.

There are only about 300 Sumatran tigers living today, as within the last 45 years the human population of Indonesia has risen to levels which have had a negative impact on tiger habitats.

Tiger poaching and the illegal trade of their parts/products also poses a serious risk to their populations.

3- Eastern, Western, and Mountain Gorillas

Two large gorillas walk across a snowy, mountainous landscape, their thick fur dusted with frost as rugged peaks rise dramatically in the background.

Both the eastern and western gorilla species are listed as critically endangered, with only 2600 eastern gorillas remaining in East Africa and the western gorilla population status listed as unknown (though dwindling).

The mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla dwelling primarily in high altitude forests of the Congo, and there are reportedly only (approximately) 600-1000 remaining.

These primates are threatened mostly due to a loss of habitat, though disease and hunting has impacted populations as well.

The variance in the estimated mountain gorilla population you see above is actually a good thing, as these numbers conflict due to reports of their species making a promising recovery as a result of conservation efforts by both local and global endeavors.

4- Rhinos

A group of rhinos moves across a snowy, icy landscape, with the largest rhino leading in the foreground, its horn and thick skin frosted against a backdrop of rugged, snow-covered mountains.

There are many rhinoceros species on the endangered species list, some of which are critically endangered.

Northern white rhino: declared critically endangered due to poaching and human conflict within the white rhino habitat, in fact, their fate is so dire, that some list this species as potentially extinct with only 0-2 remaining in the wild
Javan rhino: critically endangered due to poaching and illegal horn trade, only 18 remain according to IUCN estimates
Sumatran rhino: declared critically endangered due to their small population size, human disturbance, and poaching; there are only 30 estimated to be living in the wild
Black rhino: also critically endangered due to many years of illegal poaching throughout the 1990s; conservation efforts have contributed greatly to a rise in this population, though the species as a whole still remains threatened (the western black rhino was declared extinct in 2011, and more than 10,000 black rhinos have been killed within the illegal horn trade in the last decade)

5- Hawksbill Turtle

A hawksbill sea turtle glides gracefully through clear blue water, sunlight streaming down onto its patterned shell as other turtles and fish swim in the background above a coral reef.

Land-dwelling wildlife aren’t the only species that face extinction, as we all know.

And, for the hawksbill turtle, the degradation of nesting habitats, accidental capture in fishing nets, damage to coral reefs, and illegal shell/product trade has led to an 80% population decline in the last 3 generations.

This turtle is one of seven species of marine turtles, and their ocean home’s future remains threatened, due in large part to plastic pollution, rising sea levels, and climate change.

These factors are expected to exacerbate the already unfortunate decline of Hawksbill populations, necessitating the importance of conservation efforts.

Where Coffee Meets Wildlife

A vibrant coffee plantation scene set at sunrise, with rows of coffee plants bearing ripe red berries surrounded by lush greenery. Rabbits and a small bird forage among the plants, while colorful butterflies, hummingbirds, and other birds flutter above. Monkeys are perched on tree branches in the background, and the entire landscape is filled with diverse wildlife, depicting a harmonious blend of nature and agriculture.

As we mentioned above, loss of habitat is one of the primary reasons for wildlife endangerment, and therefore conservation efforts center largely around the protection and preservation of these regions.

Loss of habitat is also why agricultural practices must be at the top of the conservation conversation!

And, since what you’re sipping makes all the difference when it comes to conservation, we’ve committed to doing things a little (or a lot) differently here at Lifeboost.

Conventional coffee growing practices, unfortunately, are not wildlife friendly.

To meet market demands, common practices routinely destroy entire wildlife habitats - including the surrounding air, water, and soil.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for entire sections of forest to be cleared to make room for growing hybrid (full sun) coffee plants, vegetation that is heavily sprayed with harsh chemical fertilizers to enhance growth, pesticides to kill off all potential insect threats, fungicides to eradicate the very notion of fungal growth, and more.

So, on top of the initial habitat destruction, as wildlife once dwelling in the area seek relocation, the air is now tainted, the water supply is poisoned, food sources have become scarce or contaminated, and well, as we learned in the sections above, biodiversity is altered, ecosystems are disrupted, and their (also our) world is forever altered.

A related, and now common statistic, “approximately one square inch of rainforest is destroyed for every cup of coffee consumed.”

Let me explain: the damage done to wildlife populations through conventional coffee farming is amplified as these practices also lead to the release of stored carbon from such forests, prompting disruptions in rainfall patterns and temperatures around the globe.

These practices are a biodiversity nightmare to say the least, causing rippling damage throughout all interconnected ecosystems.

And this, combined with a prioritization of whole-body health, is why Lifeboost coffee farmers have made the conscious decision to work with wildlife in our growing practices, not against it.

Lifeboost coffee shrubs are planted at high elevations on small plantations amongst native plant life. Here, the coffee shrubs grow under a canopy of shade, allowing our coffee cherries to mature slowly, improving nutrient profiles while providing benefits to neighboring plants.
With the introduction of our coffee plants to the area, new pollinators arrive. Of course, with this life, both prey and predator (new and native) thrive in the life cycle common to nature.
Working with nature, we never use chemicals (like fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) in the growing process. So, soil integrity improves, nearby waterways are clean, and insect life carries on unhindered.
And the result is something many of us have heard as advice from our elders - “you should always leave a place/area better than you found it.”

By leaving our planet better than we’ve found it, we’re ensuring thriving ecosystems filled with a variety of wildlife, lessening the threat that dangerous practices can have on their existence.

As we’ve seen in the example of the honeybee alone, a tiny component of wildlife with a big impact, protecting our planet’s wildlife, ecosystems, and ultimately biodiversity, matters greatly.

Doing all we can - be it through personal actions, donation efforts, or through conservation conscious product selection - can mean the difference between abundant life or unfortunate endangerment/extinction for our planet’s wildlife.

So, let’s commit together to keep our ecosystems balanced, healthy, and thriving, to promote or increase biodiversity, and to protect/preserve our wildlife populations!

FAQ

1- What is the biggest or most important goal of wildlife conservation?

Protecting biodiversity by preserving or protecting habitats is one of the primary goals of wildlife conservation as habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to wildlife.

These efforts can help to maintain stable and healthy ecosystems which can in turn prevent extinction.

2- How can you protect wildlife populations?

You can aid in wildlife conservation by:

Donating to wildlife conservation causes and/or efforts
Volunteering to aid organizations with a focus on conservation
Support conservation efforts within your own community
Vote for those legislators who align with your views regarding conservation
Make your voice heard through your wallet, choosing to support companies or make product purchases which are sustainably grown, support biodiversity, or enhance conservation efforts

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.

References: