This provided food and shelter for hundreds of other animal species; insects, mammals, birds, birds of prey, amphibians and fish. With more plants, trees and animals the soils improved and became stronger - less prone to erosion, drought and flooding.
The more biodiversity an area has, the healthier it is because it supports a large number of animal and plant species. Understanding biodiversity is important for the environment, as well as people and medicine as we will explore -.
Why do we need to conserve biodiversity? Why is biodiversity necessary for the stability of the planet? It may not be self-evident, so here are five reasons. Conservation researchers Paul R. Losing one might not be a disaster, but each loss adds to the likelihood of a serious problem.
Whether in a village in the Amazon or a metropolis such as Beijing, humans depend on the services ecosystems provide, such as fresh water, pollination, soil fertility and stability, food and medicine. Ecosystems weakened by the loss of biodiversity are less likely to deliver those services, especially given the needs of an ever-growing human population.
Without conservation methods in place, this could be the fate of many more ecosystems. Research indicates that there is a close link between disease outbreaks and the degradation of nature. Seventy percent of emerging viral diseases have spread from animals to humans. As the global wildlife trade continues and development projects expand deeper into tropical forests, humans are increasing their exposure to wild animals — and the diseases they may carry.
This shows that we must take care of nature to take care of ourselves. Deforestation is also accelerating climate breakdown , which in turn may boost the spread of disease by allowing disease carriers like mosquitoes to extend their geographic ranges and infect new populations of humans. In a landmark study published in , a group of researchers led by Bronson Griscom, who researches natural climate solutions at Conservation International, discovered that nature can deliver at least 30 percent of the emissions reductions needed by to prevent climate catastrophe.
Protecting biodiversity plays a crucial part in achieving these emissions reductions. The destruction of forest ecosystems is responsible for 11 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans, so conserving forests would stop the release of these gases into the atmosphere.
Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more necessary to protect them. As Henry David Thoreau said, "This curious world which we inhabit is more wonderful than it is convenient; more beautiful than it is useful; it is more to be admired and enjoyed than it is to be used" Biomimicry Institute. Case Studies: Secrets of the sandcastle worm could yield a powerful medical adhesive Dirzo, R.
Global State of Biodiversity and Loss. Annual Review Environment and Resources 28 , Ellsworth, J. Potential effects of passenger pigeon flocks on the structure and composition of presettlement forests of Eastern North America. Conservation Biology 17 , Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Gallai, N. Economic valuation of the vulnerability of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline. Ecological Economics 68, Grant, M. Even larger organisms. Nature , Hilton-Taylor, C.
State of the world's species. Gland: International Union for Conservation of Nature, Extinction threat growing for mankind's closest relatives May, R. The dimensions of life on earth. Raven, P. Washington: National Academy Press, Raup, D. The role of extinction in evolution. Thoreau, H. Science Daily Wilson, E. Speciation and Biodiversity. American Instsitute of Biological Sciences Conservation of Biodiversity. Conservation Biology. Restoration Ecology.
Conservation and Restoration Introduction. Restoring Tropical Forest. Population Viability Analysis: Origins and Contributions. Restoration of Deciduous Forests. Restoration of Desert Ecosystems. Citation: Kearns, C. Nature Education Knowledge 3 10 Life has existed on Earth for over 3. So why should we be concerned about current extinction rates and conserving biodiversity?
Aa Aa Aa. Species diversity. Genetic Diversity. Ecosystem Diversity. A conservation focus on preserving ecosystems not only saves large numbers of species including non-charismatic species that do not receive public support but also preserves the support systems that maintain life Figure 3: Physical features of an ecosystem affect what species survive there.
Why Conserve Biodiversity? Biological Resources. Ecosystem Services. Social and Spiritual Benefits. References and Recommended Reading Biomimicry Institute. Huber, H. People and ecotourism. Share Cancel. Revoke Cancel. Keywords Keywords for this Article.
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