Why is biodiversity so important?

 

Health of an Ecosystem:  Biodiversity is essential for every process that supports life on Earth. Healthy, functioning interactions are essential for a healthy ecosystem. Continued functioning of an ecosystem relies on biodiversity for the maintenance of the structure. Healthy ecosystems provide Fresh water, pollination, soil fertility, food, and medicine, essential part of climate change solution. Pollinators such as birds, bees and other insects are responsible for approximately one third of the world’s crop production. Agriculture is reliant on invertebrates that help maintain healthy soil. Plants help regulate the flow of water, preventing erosion. Plants also are used for medicine, building materials, food, and biofuels (Raven and Wackernagel, 2020).

Culture: Outside of its utilitarian value as food or sources of material, biodiversity has been important to humans. For thousands of years, plants and animals have enduring symbolic significance, many of which appear on emblems, in folklore legends, religious documents, and even money (Clark et al., 2014). Many indigenous and local communities are not only reliant on biodiversity, but also have a particular relationship with the landscapes and seascapes. There is often a deep, spiritual importance to plants and animals for indigenous peoples (UNESCO, 2022). It has also been found that human health can be negatively affected by the risk of environmental degradation and contact with natural spaces can have a positive effect (Clark et al., 2014).

Clark, Natalie E., Lovell, Rebecca, Wheeler, Benedict W., Higgins, Sahran L., Depledge, Michael H., Norris, Ken. 2014. Biodiversity, cultural pathways, and human health: a framework. Trends In Ecology & Evolution. Volume 29, Issue 4; 198-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2014.01.009

Raven, Peter and Mathis Wackernagel. 2020. Maintaining biodiversity will define our long-term success. Plant Diversity. Volume 42, Issue 4; 211-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2020.06.002

UNESCO. 2020. Culture and Values. UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/biodiversity/culture