Reasons for maintaining biodiversity

• Biodiversity


  The range and variety of genes, species and habitats within a particular region
• Components of biodiversity


  • Genetic diversity
  • Species diversity
  • Ecosystem diversity
• Global biodiversity has a major impact on humans and all other species on the planet
• Reasons for maintaining biodiversity

  • Ecological
  • Economic
  • Aesthetic
  • Social
  • Moral/ethical
  • Environmental
  • Agricultural
• Ecological reasons


  • Biodiversity has a major effect on the stability of an ecosystem
  • A more diverse ecosystem is better able to survive and adapt to environmental changes or threats
• Ecological reasons


  • Some species of fish in a species-rich lake are unable to cope with temperature rise due to global warming, while others can
  • Keystone species like bush elephants have a larger impact on the ecosystem than others
• Economic reasons


  • Ecosystems have a lot of economic value
  • Many medicines originate from plants, fungi and bacteria
  • Ecotourism is a major source of income for many countries
  • Ecosystems have made major contributions to science and technology
• Economic reasons


  • The cancer-fighting drug paclitaxel is sourced from Pacific and Himalayan Yew Trees
  • The specific enzyme used in DNA sequencing was first discovered in a thermophilic bacterium found in a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, USA
• Aesthetic reasons


  • Humans find great joy and pleasure in the beauty of nature
  • It provides inspiration for creatives such as photographers, poets, musicians and artists
• Social reasons


  • Many people enjoy spending time in the natural environment
  • There are many activities that people can do together in nature, e.g. birdwatching, walking, climbing
• Moral & ethical reasons

  • Humans have a moral obligation to prevent the loss of biodiversity that results from human activities
  • Humans share the planet with millions of others species and they have no right to cause the extinction of other species
  • As humans are the most intelligent species on the planet the responsibility falls upon their shoulders to protect and value all of the organisms on the planet
• Environmental reasons


  • Humans need diverse ecosystems because of the essential environmental services they provide
  • Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to reduce the greenhouse effect and climate change
  • Microorganisms digest and break down the masses of organic waste that are produced by larger organisms
  • Humans have irrigation and drinking water thanks to the transpiration of plants and their contribution to the water cycle
  • Different fungi and bacteria species are a major part of the nutrient cycle that allows for nutrients to reenter the soil for further plant growth
  • Plants are producers in food webs and are both a direct and indirect energy source for humans
• Agricultural reasons


  • Most of the crops that humans grow are very uniform with low genetic diversity
  • The wild relatives of crops can provide a source of genetic diversity to rescue crops that are affected by disease or other disasters
  • Many of the wild relative species are under threat due to habitat destruction and climate change
  • All of the world's potato crop comes from a single species, making it highly susceptible to disease
  • There are over 100 species of wild potatoes that grow in the Andes, and these Andean species act as a source of alleles for disease resistance