Alejandro Angulo
Not everyone fully grasps—or cares about—the importance of biodiversity in our lives. For some, it’s simply about having more greenery. But in reality, we’re often fueling homogenization—making ecosystems uniform by planting the same few species everywhere, based on looks or trends.
In San Miguel, ficus and jacarandas are everywhere, despite being non-native. This kind of repetition, especially with exotic species, can do more harm than good.
Homogenization, largely driven by globalization and industrial agriculture, reduces both biological and cultural diversity. It undermines the ability of ecosystems—and societies—to adapt to change. Some of the main consequences include:
Loss of Biodiversity: Invasive species and monocultures reduce species variety and ecological balance.
• Weakened Resilience: Biodiverse ecosystems better withstand droughts, pests, and disease. Homogenized ones are more fragile
• Habitat Degradation: Expanding cities and farms often fragment or destroy habitats, reducing their health and size.
• Risk to Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity supports pollination, CO₂ capture, oxygen production, water filtration, and more.
• Cultural Erosion: Homogenization also wipes out food traditions, medicinal knowledge, and local identities.
It’s not just about which plants we prefer. Homogenization alters how ecosystems function—disrupting energy flow, nutrient cycling, and species interactions. It affects everything from soil fertility to water conservation.
To protect biodiversity, we must understand how loss unfolds across places and time. Homogenization plays a key role in species extinction and biological invasion. Addressing this is essential to shaping sound conservation strategies.
In San Miguel, are our native ecosystems especially at risk? When planting trees or restoring green spaces, choose native species and promote variety. Diversity is more than aesthetic—it’s the foundation of life itself.
