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. Biodiversity is important in human-managed as well as natural ecosystems. Biodiversity is important to the survival and welfare of human populations because it has impacts on our health and our ability to feed ourselves through agriculture and harvesting populations of … Biodiversity is very important to the well-being of our planet and here’s why. Not surprisingly, given the abundance of sunlight and rainfall and varied topography, the highest levels of biodiversity on our planet are in our rainforests. 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. 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. 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. 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]. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life. 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. These species will also look more similar. The importance of biodiversity for numerous industries across Australia has not been quantified, but recent issues exemplify our ongoing reliance on functioning ecosystems to maintain key processes that, in the past, may have been taken for granted. These services are essential for human welfare. We are working hard to improve our content. 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. 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. Importance of Biodiversity There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. Generally, a species is a group of similar individuals capable of interbreeding and producing offspring. Ecosystem function is important for supporting plant and animal communities, and ensuring the long-term survival of human populations. Biodiversity is important because it boosts ecosystem productivity where each species all have an important role to play. When species reproduce, the genes of each mate contribute to the characteristics of the progeny. Bio-diversity and Tourism and is interrelated to each other, and there is no denying of the fact that tourism development is directly related to healthy ecosystems. 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. Read about Biodiversity Conservation, the importance of Biodiversity, Loss of Biodiversity, and more. A wide variety of species will cope better with threats than a limited number of them in large populations. That is the reason for parks in urban areas. 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. Learning Objectives. The diversity linked to micro-organisms, different plants and animals is included in biodiversity. Describe the benefits to human health of maintaining biodiversity. The loss of an entire ecosystem can be socially disassembling. 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. Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Other benefits of biodiversity include cultural, spiritual and recreational values. It includes al the ecosystems, whether it … We also need to protect our water resources, protecting soil & maintaining eco-balance. 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]. Importance of Biodiversity. Offer environments for recreation and tourism. Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. Human beings benefit in many ways from biodiversity. The Importance Of Biodiversity 704 Words | 3 Pages . For example, our ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption and protection of water resources. One of the most important reasons we should continue to work on preserving … Biodiversity is defined as "the variety of life and it's processes," which can be thought of as the diverse and richness of life that exists on earth. 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. It may have cattails that filter and clean the water. The more links that exist in the web the more stable the ecosystem as the removal of one link will not have a dramatic effect if there are other links that can fill the void. Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms and their interactions with each other, i.e. Changes in biodiversity can generally alter ecosystem functioning.Due to which there will be some changes in human life. 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]. Nature also provides many opportunities for recreation from ziplining to canoeing. Climate Change Effects on the World's Biodiversity, The Loss of Biodiversity from Human Activity. All forms of life from microbes to plants to humans contain genes. Most of these ecosystem services cannot be replaced by human technology, at any cost. More genetic defects are caused by inbreeding. Likewise, it is well-documented that nature contributes to the emotional well-being of humans [11]. In a landmark study published in … 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. Image credit: VectorMine . Access to a sufficiency of a nutritious variety of food is a fundamental determinant of health. Changes in biodiversity can … A healthy biodiversity provides many natural services that are beneficial for everyone. Healthy and well-functioning freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems are important for a productive and healthy environment. Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem. An excellent article. 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. The variation in ecosystems within a geographical location and its impact on human existence and the environment is ecosystem diversity. A healthy ecosystem stems from rich biodiversity. Biodiversity has direct economic benefits. For UPSC 2021 preparation, follow BYJU'S. High biodiversity in an ecosystem, that is a large variety of species and genes in the ecosystem contribute to a stronger ecosystem. Nutritional impact of biodiversity. With less biodiversity, these connections weaken and sometimes break, harming all the species in the ecosystem… Biodiversity is important to people in many ways. 1. The diversity of species provides humans with a wide range of economic benefits: Wild plants and animals maintain a valuable pool of genetic variation. E.O. 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. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in human nutrition through its influence on world food production, as it ensures the sustainable productivity of soils and provides the genetic resources for all crops, livestock, and marine species harvested for food. Biodiversity can occur in a very small particular area or in a very large area like the ocean. Biodiversity is important for many reasons and they can be generally divided into two categories: the importance for ecosystems and for us. 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]. 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. "Biodiversity influences ecosystem services, that is, the benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, that contribute to making human life … Changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services due to climate change are not all negative, with some species either thriving or adapting. Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, food, medicines and natural products, economic benefits and natural beauty. The more links in the food chain there are, like more fish for the bear, the healthier everyone up the chain can be. The direct use of inland water biodiversity (e.g., for inland fisheries) provides food security for countless millions of the world’s poor. Why Is Biodiversity Important? The Importance Of Biodiversity 1058 Words | 5 Pages Biodiversity is a balance critical to the ecosystem. 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 biodiversity is very important to the well-being of our planet. Since rainforests have huge ranges of plants, many insects or animals will have more diverse preys. For instance, the role of native insects in pollination, which is critical for agriculture, has been highlighted in recent years. If a fire tears through a forest where only one species exists and is wiped out by the fire, the forest ecosystem is less likely to deal with this loss than if only one out of 20 species disappeared. 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. Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. Species diversity then is the number of different species co-existing within a community, for example bear, humans, birds and dogs. 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. The Gulf Coast of Florida is another unique ecosystem with different characteristics. Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. The Census of Marine Life puts the number at 8.7 million, give or take [2]. What is the key to their success?https://t.co/179Z5AnYTw pic.twitter.com/Qw7hXuBBQK. Accordingly, no two members of the same species are exactly alike. Biodiversity is defined as "the variety of life and it's processes," which can be thought of as the diverse and richness of life that exists on earth. Loss of biodiversity may have reverberating consequences on ecosystems because of the complex interrelations among species. Such changes may affect ecosystem function and the ecosystem services they provide. The Pacific Northwest represents a unique ecosystem. It is the number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. 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. And the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans are considered to have the most diverse marine environments [19]. Biodiversity is important to people because we depend on other species and the ecosystems they create. 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. 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. 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. Economic Importance. With reduced diversity in the gene pool, the chance for extinction increases. > Biodiversity role in Ecosystem related functions- It also plays an important role in ecosystem-related functions, which provide ancillary, regulation, and cultural services. Provide for nutrient storage and recycling. We often concentrate on biological part like forest, animal, microbes etc. 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. Quick Navigation for The Importance of Biodiversity, [1] Wilson, Edward O., The Future of Life, A.A. Knopf, NY, NY 2002, p.3. Biodiversity role in Ecosystem related functions: It also plays an important role in ecosystem-related functions, which provide ancillary, regulation, and cultural services.These services are essential for human welfare. They keep plants, fish, and animals fed. Energy is continually input into an ecosystem in the form of light energy, and some energy is lost with each transfer to a higher … Biodiversity is important because it boosts ecosystem productivity where each species all have an important role to play. The Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on Earth. There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. They clean up our water and protect our coasts. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services to which human well-being is intimately linked. Importance of Biodiversity. Living organisms on the earth are complex, dynamic, and varies according to the earthly or the marine ecosystems. increased lianas in tropical forest). For example, our ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption and protection of water resources. 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. Ecosystem Ecology looks at energy transformations and biogeochemical cycling within ecosystems. 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]. To learn more about biodiversity, visit the Australian Museum website or read about it on Wikipedia. Ecosystems are made up of abiotic (non-living, environmental) and biotic components, and these basic components are important to nearly all types of ecosystems. 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. Members of a species share genes. There are multiple examples within any region of each category of insect, bacteria, herbivore, omnivore or carnivorous predator. Biodiversity is the extraordinary variety of life on Earth—from genes and species to ecosystems and the valuable functions they perform. Key Takeaways Key Points. Before getting into Tourism and Biodiversity, it is crucial to know what is tourism and Bio-diversity. It includes organisms from Earth’s vastly different ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, coral reefs, grasslands, tundra, and polar ice caps. Most cultures, at least at some time, have recognized the importance of conserving natural resources. Only a few major crops are feeding most of the world. Ecosystems affect the biosphere, or life on earth. Biodiversity changes affect ecosystem functioning and significant disruptions of ecosystems can result in life sustaining ecosystem goods and services. 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. This means we value biodiversity both for what it provides to humans, and for the value it has in its own right. Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change. It is the number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. The most detailed scientific study of the world’s greatest biodiversity was compiled by The Center for Tropical Forest Science, a consortium of forestry agencies, universities, research institutes and other nongovernmental agencies and published by the Smithsonian Institution in 2002. Biodiversity plays an important role in protecting the water resources. Biodiversity is very important to the well-being of our planet and here’s why. Until that time, it had been widely believed that Amazonia was the richest ecosystem on earth. 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. Bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, bryophytes and the various plants, birds, insects, fish and humans are all the fundamental part of biodiversity. A food web is a more complex arrangement where some of the species have a couple different food options. Provide more medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs. And yet it is so complex that most of the species within it, close to 90 percent [1], remain undiscovered. Human Health and Biodiversity. 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]. 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. Biodiversity is the variety of all living things: the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the different genetic information they contain, and the varied ecosystems they form. Coral reefs are important to the ecosystem because they are the pillars on which marine and coastal ecosystems are built. An aesthetic appreciation of biodiversity itself has also been documented. Medical Discoveries. High biodiversity in an ecosystem, that is a large variety of species and genes in the ecosystem contribute to a stronger ecosystem. Importance of Biodiversity. Our environments and the species that live in them need a diverse population of genes. Wild food sources are mainly aquatic, but few are being managed for sustainability. Ecosystems are all of the animals, plants, and micro-organisms as well as physical aspects of the area. Biodiversity is what allows ecosystems to work and flourish. California has prairies, deserts, lakes, forests and beach. The depletion of biodiversity will have profound consequences for the functioning of ecosystem services. 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