Reasons for maintaining biodiversity

• Reasons for maintaining biodiversity

  • Aesthetic
  • Economic
• Aesthetic

  Presence of different plants & animals in our environment enhances our enjoyment
• Economic

  Economic degradation may occur due to deforestation affecting a country's ability to grow crops and feed its people
• Overexploitation of resources (hardwood timber) will eventually lead to the collapse of ecosystems
• Once enough natural resources have been lost, an area does not become economically able to continue
• Large-scale habitat diversity loss means spaces with potential economic importance may become scarce before they are even discovered
• Undiscovered tropical plants may be chemically or medically useful
• Biodiverse areas provide an attractive environment that people can enjoy
• Highly biodiverse areas can promote tourism in the region, with its associated economic advantages
• Food source or place to live may be lost
• Some species play a key role in maintaining ecosystems
• Species may have disproportionately large effects on their environment
• Key species

  • Sea stars
  • Alligators
  • Burrowing animals
• Sea stars

  • They consume mussels in areas where natural predators have been removed
• Alligators

  • They balance ecosystems by eating gar
• Burrowing animals

  • They promote water absorption and create habitats for other species
• Without alligators, gar numbers were increasing and were eating all game fish
• Burrowing animals rely on prairie dogs for habitat