In short, a population has a better chance of survival if there is more genetic diversity. Human beings benefit in many ways from biodiversity. For example, the extinction of one species may cause the extinction of another. This study evaluates the importance of biodiversity for multiple ecosystem functions in a tropical human‐modified landscape. Should a drought, pest or disease threaten one of these crops, the entire world’s food supply will diminish appreciably. The Importance Of Biodiversity 1058 Words | 5 Pages Biodiversity is a balance critical to the ecosystem. 2. The loss of an entire ecosystem can be socially disassembling. Genes carry traits and characteristics. Biodiversity is variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Crops livestock, fishery, and forests are a rich source of food. In a landmark study published in … The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive. increased lianas in tropical forest). Seventy percent of the plants identified as having anti-cancer characteristics by the US National Cancer Institute are found only in the tropical rainforest [9]. Biodiversity and the ecosystem sustainability, Areas with the highest levels of biodiversity, 10 Endangered Plants with Medicinal Properties, nature contributes to the emotional well-being, The Importance of Indigenous Knowledge for the Modern World, medicines production of food, fiber for textiles and shelter, fuel and energy, the suppression of pests and human diseases. If a population is minimized and must cross-pollinate or inbreed with the survivors, successive generations will have fewer different genes and it is most often the case that susceptibilities are magnified and reduced infertility occurs, so that smaller populations carry illnesses or crippling enough defects that they soon die out. A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can withstand environmental stress. Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: the ecosystem, with food production as an ecosystem service; the species in the ecosystem and the genetic diversity w… It is commonly believed that the more diversity of life within an ecosystem the stronger it is and the better able it is to sustain itself in the face of external stresses. Ecosystem diversity level: Ecosystem consists of all the animals, microorganisms, plants as well as the physical aspects of the area. Ecological life support—biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services. Ecosystems are all of the animals, plants, and micro-organisms as well as physical aspects of the area. Ecosystems provide ecosystem services that support human agriculture: pollination, nutrient cycling, pest control, and soil development and maintenance. Bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, bryophytes and the various plants, birds, insects, fish and humans are all the fundamental part of biodiversity. Importance of Biodiversity. The Pacific Northwest represents a unique ecosystem. We value biodiversity for many reasons, some utilitarian, some intrinsic. An analysis on the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem as shown by the gray wolf extirpation and reintroduction in Yellowstone Park The extirpation of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone Pak is a prime example of the impact of biodiversity loss, specifically a keystone species, on a terrestrial ecosystem. A food web is a more complex arrangement where some of the species have a couple different food options. Key Takeaways Key Points. Another importance of biodiversity is the availability of necessary animal products like milk, meat, curd, ghee, etc. Antibiotics, fungicides, anticancer drugs, blood-clotting agents and thinners, anesthetics, cardiac regulators and fever suppressants are among the drugs we have obtained from wild biodiversity [8]. The diversity linked to micro-organisms, different plants and animals is included in biodiversity. Since each species has a role to play, a diverse ecosystem allows them to interact and reach symbiosis. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Changes in the composition of ecosystems have also been observed (e.g. Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to play. The Pacific Northwest represents a unique ecosystem. Learning Objectives. If our ecosystems fail, if too many species become extinct or disabled from performing their functions, then humans will not be able to survive on earth. Accordingly, no two members of the same species are exactly alike. Wilson, the noted biologist and author who coined the term “biodiversity,” explains it as “the very stuff of life.” For at least 3.8 billion years, a complex web of life has been evolving on Earth. Many still do, but many do not. The problem is that we don’t know what we are losing, especially when it comes to life in the rainforest, where so many species have adapted amazing defenses to predators, pests, infections and diseases over thousands of years, defenses that we humans might use in our fight against cancer and other serious diseases [10]. When species are examined for biodiversity, three elements are looked at: The greater the variety of species, the healthier the ecosystem is. Changes in biodiversity can … For example, a coral reef generally has a very great variety of life within it, a greater ecosystem diversity than say Antarctica, which is covered by a sheet of ice [17]. Biodiversity is important in ecosystems because it prevents extinction of species, allows organisms to adapt to changes in the environment and provides a wide range of materials and foods for survival. It includes al the ecosystems, whether it … Based on tropical rainforests, we see why biodiversity is so crucial in maintaining an ecosystem. Having a rich variety of ecosystems, what biologists call ecosystem diversity, constitutes another important level of biodiversity. Ecosystem Ecology looks at energy transformations and biogeochemical cycling within ecosystems. Nature also provides many opportunities for recreation from ziplining to canoeing. When there is a large population from which to reproduce, there can be more combinations of genes in the offspring. Biodiversity is also key for the continued provision of ecosystems services it provides, which serve both humans and the systems themselves, although the term is largely used in relation to the benefits reaped by us. These services are essential for human welfare. Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Living organisms on the earth are complex, dynamic, and varies according to the earthly or the marine ecosystems. Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. And the more closer a species is related to another, the more genetic information the two species will share. Members of a species share genes. All species, including human beings, are intricately linked by their interactions with each other and the environment… More formally, biodiversity is comprised of several levels, starting with genes, then individual species, then communities of creatures and finally entire ecosystems, such as forests or … Biodiversity is the ‘library’ of species and genetic information that allows the Earth’s systems to function. Healthy marine ecosystems are important for society since they provide services including food security, feed for livestock , raw materials for medicines, building materials from coral rock and sand, and natural defenses against hazards such as coastal erosion and inundation. Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals. Such changes may affect ecosystem function and the ecosystem services they provide. They keep plants, fish, and animals fed. With more variations in the genes it is more likely that a member of the species has genes that are well-suited or resistant to the changes being faced, whether it is a poorer air quality or a spreading disease. Healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity: How do we replace lost biodiversity? Concerned about the rapidly increasing loss of genetic diversity the UN Food and Agricultural Organization supports a trust of diverse seed collections around the world to maintain food security. Ecological diversity within an ecosystem is more diverse when it contains varied topography, allowing more places for shelter and for escape, a lot of sunlight and rainfall, allowing for more rapid growth of plants as a food source and stable temperatures, making adaptation easier for species. Our environments and the species that live in them need a diverse population of genes. The closest relations of an organism are members of its own species. Since rainforests have huge ranges of plants, many insects or animals will have more diverse preys. The variation in ecosystems within a geographical location and its impact on human existence and the environment is ecosystem diversity. Decisions humans make that influence biodiversity affect the well-being of themselves and others. Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Human life relies on our ecosystems providing the life-sustaining services of providing oxygen, detoxifying our soil and water, providing materials for clothing and shelter and providing our food and the nutrients we require. 1. Biodiversity is a community of all the living organisms on the earth and the diversity among them from all the ecosystems. While heavy machinery keeps spraying #monocrops with #pesticides and #fertilizers, millions of #family #farmers are applying agroecological approaches to redress those impacts and revive #rural areas. Plants, for instance, help humans by giving off oxygen. The main threats facing biodiversity globally are: destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitats ; reduction of individual survival and reproductive rates through exploitation, pollution and introduction of alien species. There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. "Biodiversity influences ecosystem services, that is, the benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, that contribute to making human life … | Greentumble Biodiversity is important for many reasons and they can be generally divided into two categories: the importance for ecosystems and for us. Biodiversity underpins a range of ecosystem services. Before getting into Tourism and Biodiversity, it is crucial to know what is tourism and Bio-diversity. For example, biodiversity can occur in a very small aquarium where there are few small fish or can occur in a large ocean where whales and sharks like huge fish live with other aquatic animals. The list of services ecosystems perform for us is extensive and includes: While the medicinal value of plants is mentioned above as one of the services provided by an ecosystem, this service deserves specific attention. For example, our ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption and protection of water resources. The largest scale of biodiversity generally examined is ecosystem diversity. All species, including humans, are adversely affected by the loss of species diversity. Until that time, it had been widely believed that Amazonia was the richest ecosystem on earth. A study of ecosystem diversity looks at these different ecosystems within the region and considers their sustainability, their impact on the surrounding environment and possibly even their impact on human existence. Economic Importance. To be considered sustainable an ecosystem must be able to maintain these processes over time and in the face of external stresses that may occur like fires or pollution. Biodiversity is important because it boosts ecosystem productivity where each species all have an important role to play. This is because species in an ecosystem depend upon each other for food, keeping birth and death rates in a balance that is sustainable for the ecosystem. One overriding importance is that biodiversity is responsible for the continuity of the planet because it supports majority of the vital environmental life cycles such as the oxygen cycle, the water cycle, and the nitrogen cycle just to mention a few. Species diversity then is the number of different species co-existing within a community, for example bear, humans, birds and dogs. Energy is continually input into an ecosystem in the form of light energy, and some energy is lost with each transfer to a higher … But the findings showed that in fact there was a greater number of diverse species in tropical forests over a greater distance in Panama [18]. What is the key to their success?https://t.co/179Z5AnYTw pic.twitter.com/Qw7hXuBBQK. Having a rich variety of ecosystems, what biologists call ecosystem diversity, constitutes another important level of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem. life on Earth. Materials of daily use and decoration are also manufactured from them. Plant-derived drugs are anticipated to account for 39.2 billion dollars in sales by 2022 and botanical drugs to $425 million by 2022 [7]. Importance/Significance of biodiversity: Ø Biodiversity indicates variations of life forms (species, ecosystem, biome) Ø Biodiversity indicate the health of ecosystem Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms and their interactions with each other, i.e. And the soil may then travel to a place where these nutrients are absorbed and used, perhaps by plants which then exhale oxygen and enrich our air. Importance of Biodiversity. Nutritional impact of biodiversity. Human Health and Biodiversity. Bone, hair, skin, wool of animals and birds are the raw materials for several industries. When we talk about ecosystem and biodiversity we need to focus both bio and non-bio (physical) factors. And the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans are considered to have the most diverse marine environments [19]. An ecosystem will have a higher productivity rate and more robust ecological processes when more different life forms can thrive and survive. An excellent article. They also provide food, shade, construction material, medicines, and fiber for clothing and paper. The services that humans derive from ecosystems include food, fuel, clothing, structural materials, medicines and genetic resources. Bio-diversity is the diversity among living organisms, including marine, terrestrial, and other aquatic ecosystems. Although some ecosystems may be insensitive to species loss, due to variations in ecosystem types, or the presence of multiple species that perform a similar role, or due to their relative unimportance, or because of other abiotic factors, it is clear that higher numbers of species are needed to ensure stable provision of ecosystem services. Read about Biodiversity Conservation, the importance of Biodiversity, Loss of Biodiversity, and more. These species will also look more similar. Diversity is important for species in order to maintain resilience against unexpected events, such as sudden climate changes or natural disasters, like forest fires or floods. Stories abound of the discovery of life-saving plant-derived drugs just before the last of the species was eliminated by deforestation. A healthy biodiversity provides many natural services that are beneficial for everyone. E.O. More genetic defects are caused by inbreeding. This can be done by recycling & storage of nutrients, controlling pollution, & stabilizing climate. One of the most important reasons we should continue to work on preserving … Other benefits of biodiversity include cultural, spiritual and recreational values. Conversely, genetic diversity is significant in helping a species adapt to changes in its environment. 3. Why is diversity important in an ecosystem? Importance of Biodiversity There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. Biodiversity is important for maintaining an important balance of the ecosystem. It acts as a catalyst in the role of species in an ecosystem. A nice example of species diversity can be found when looking at a lake. Genes are the bits of biochemical information that partly determine how an organism looks, behaves, and live… We found that dominance is potentially more important than species traits in determining species functionality; because of the strong effect of dominance in secondary forests, only a small subset of the dominant species matters for different functions. Download the Biodiversity notes PDF for IAS Exam. Most plants produce secondary plant compounds, which … Intact or well-connected ecosystems provide habitat for native plants and animals, including humans, and provide ecosystem services such as clean water for drinking and fertile soils and oceans for production. Diversity is essential to the smooth running of any ecosystem. The Census of Marine Life puts the number at 8.7 million, give or take [2]. Not surprisingly, given the abundance of sunlight and rainfall and varied topography, the highest levels of biodiversity on our planet are in our rainforests. Provide for nutrient storage and recycling. Ninety percent of the world’s food supply is from only 100 crops and three: rice, maize and wheat account for almost 70 percent of the calories people derive from plants [13]. The connectedness of ecosystems and biomes means that all organisms in any given system must work together and balance each other in order to maintain a healthy system. It is the number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Biodiversity was discussed by the Commission on Sustainable Development on several occasions, and was one of the themes of the 2012/2013 two-year cycle. Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity , such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. It also provides services to entire ecosystems. It includes organisms from Earth’s vastly different ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, coral reefs, grasslands, tundra, and polar ice caps. Describe the benefits to human health of maintaining biodiversity. Why Is It Important to Conserve Biodiversity? A healthy biodiversity provides many natural services that are beneficial for everyone. Or a dominant species could be an invasive plant that will overtake the native plants in the competition for soil. And yet it is so complex that most of the species within it, close to 90 percent [1], remain undiscovered. With reduced diversity in the gene pool, the chance for extinction increases. Maintaining biodiversity ultimately helps maintain of human health; many medicines are derived from plants and, recently, animal toxins. Biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem functions, which provide supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. Over millions of years many different species of plants and animals have come to live in the same habitats. For instance, the role of native insects in pollination, which is critical for agriculture, has been highlighted in recent years. Offer environments for recreation and tourism. 1. The Gulf Coast of Florida is another unique ecosystem with different characteristics. Benefits of Biodiversity to the Ecosystem . Loss of biodiversity threatens these ecosystem services and risks making food production more expensive or impossible. We often concentrate on biological part like forest, animal, microbes etc. The term biodiversity (from the phrase “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity is important for a few reasons. Access to a sufficiency of a nutritious variety of food is a fundamental determinant of health. Healthy and well-functioning freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems are important for a productive and healthy environment. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services to which human well-being is intimately linked. Inland water biodiversity is critically important to poverty reduction and the achievement of human development targets. Biodiversity is important in human-managed as well as natural ecosystems. To learn more about biodiversity, visit the Australian Museum website or read about it on Wikipedia. Climate Change Effects on the World's Biodiversity, The Loss of Biodiversity from Human Activity. Quick Navigation for The Importance of Biodiversity, [1] Wilson, Edward O., The Future of Life, A.A. Knopf, NY, NY 2002, p.3. This can be done by recycling & storage of nutrients, controlling pollution, & stabilizing climate. Biodiversity is the variety of all plants and animals (species of different flora, fauna and micro-organisms and their genes) and the ecosystem (terrestrial and aquatic) in which they live. A wider range of genetic diversity allows species to build resistances to diseases, as shown in studies on leaf-cutting ant colonies and fruit flies, and strengthens the possibility that at least some individuals will survive, and by making them less susceptible to inherited disorders. There are multiple examples within any region of each category of insect, bacteria, herbivore, omnivore or carnivorous predator. Importance of Biodiversity. Some animals like horse, camel and yak are used for transport. An analysis on the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem as shown by the gray wolf extirpation and reintroduction in Yellowstone Park The extirpation of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone Pak is a prime example of the impact of biodiversity loss, specifically a keystone species, on a terrestrial ecosystem. Most of these ecosystem services cannot be replaced by human technology, at any cost. Biodiversity changes affect ecosystem functioning and significant disruptions of ecosystems can result in life sustaining ecosystem goods and services. Its aquatic life may contribute to the quality of the soil by aerating it and enriching it with its waste and carcasses. Loss of biodiversity eventually threatens other species we do not impact directly because of their interconnectedness; as species disappear from an ecosystem other species are threatened by the changes in available resources. Coral reefs are important to the ecosystem because they are the pillars on which marine and coastal ecosystems are built. Biodiversity is constantly playing a vital role in the existence and sustainability of ecosystems. They clean up our water and protect our coasts. The goal is to save the seeds of crops best able to provide high yield of nutritional content and to survive climate change and pests and disease [14]. The Importance Of Biodiversity 704 Words | 3 Pages . The controversy of predator decline regards the decline of predators who help the ecosystem by … The diversity of species provides humans with a wide range of economic benefits: Wild plants and animals maintain a valuable pool of genetic variation. The biosphere, the totality of life is a membrane of organisms wrapped around the earth so thin that it cannot be seen edgewise from the space shuttle. All forms of life from microbes to plants to humans contain genes. Many of our most potent medicines are derived from plants [6]. Biodiversity has direct economic benefits. Biodiversity can occur in a very small particular area or in a very large area like the ocean. Biodiversity is categorized into species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. Introduction 1.1 Background Biodiversity is the term used to encompass the variety of all living organisms on Earth, including their genetic diversity, species diversity and the diversity of ecosystems. If there are more types of plants, there can be more food with a variety of nutritional content, as well as a better selection of effective medicines. Biodiversity is very important to the well-being of our planet and here’s why. Read more about us. Biodiversity also benefits the humans in numerous aspects. Genetic erosion of crops is an issue of concern today. Scientists examine the amount of biodiversity of life at three levels: the genetic level; the species level; and, at the level of ecosystems sustaining the life within them. Wild food sources are mainly aquatic, but few are being managed for sustainability. Sustainability is the ability of the ecosystem to maintain its ecological processes, the composting of debris into soil, the exchange of carbon and air, the production of rainfall, photosynthesis, the life-giving processes required to maintain life as we know it on earth. Importance of Biodiversity. For example, our ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption and protection of water resources. Based on tropical rainforests, we see why biodiversity is so crucial in maintaining an ecosystem. The Gulf Coast of Florida is another unique ecosystem with different characteristics. Many salient points made. Given the interconnected nature of ecosystems, where a change in one area can have far reaching effects elsewhere, it is therefore vital to maintain as great a variety of species as possible in order to ensure the continued healthy existence of the planet. Loss of biodiversity may have reverberating consequences on ecosystems because of the complex interrelations among species. One overriding importance is that biodiversity is responsible for the continuity of the planet because it supports majority of the vital environmental life cycles such as the oxygen cycle, the water cycle , and the nitrogen cycle just to mention a few. Even if certain species are affected by pollution, climate change or human activities, the ecosystem as a whole may adapt and survive. Our biodiversity is very important to the well-being of our planet. If there are a great number and variety of species, the disappearance of one species for whatever reason will not have as much effect on the ecosystem as a whole than it would if the extinct species had played a critical role, that is offered a function upon which other species relied exclusively [3]. Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. Biodiversity is what allows ecosystems to work and flourish. Ecosystem function is important for supporting plant and animal communities, and ensuring the long-term survival of human populations. Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on Earth. Biodiversity is measured not only by the richness of an area in the number of diverse species living there, but it also considers the evenness of the species. All species on Earth are somewhat related through genetic connections. Maintaining biodiversity of natural ecosystems is one of the most important problems and tasks for people in the 21st century. In essence, any reduction of the diversity of life, whether by human hands or by natural causes, weakens the links that exist among species and habitats. This could lead to the displacement of animals relying on the native plants for food or shelter. The lake may be important to humans as a food source, an income source from for example, a kayak rental business and as a source of recreation. This project is no longer funded and will not be updated. Biodiversity And Ecosystem Stability Biodiversity is important for the health of an ecosystem. This is because the more equal species are in proportion to each other, the more stable it is because there are not dominant species. Biodiversity is important to people because we depend on other species and the ecosystems they create. Most cultures, at least at some time, have recognized the importance of conserving natural resources. Ecosystem diversity looks at the number and variability of ecosystems in an area. 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