3.Benefits of Biodiversity

There are three main reasons commonly cited in the literature for the preservation of biodiversity.

3.1 Economic Importance

The majority of species have yet to be evaluated for their current or future economic importance. It is therefore important to conserve biodiversity for possible new sources of food, medicine and industry. However, scientists agree that if economics is the only reason for the preservation of a species it is likely that species will continue to disappear as they have no economic value to humans. Some of the important economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to humankind are:

Food - Humans obtain all of their food from consuming other organisms. Most of the organisms we consume have been domesticated or breed into hybrid forms. Some of our diet still comes from organisms in their wild form, like most species of seafood. There are still many other undiscovered species that could make an important contributions to the human food supply. For example, scientists estimate that as many as 75-80,000 species of plants could be potentially utilized for human consumption.

Wild relatives of many of our domesticated species are disappearing due to land use conversion, livestock grazing, and other forms of human manipulation. When we lose these individuals, we also lose the genetic diversity that they contain. Some of this genetic diversity may be important in securing future increases in agricultural production.

Medicine - Wild plant species have been used for medicinal purposes since before the beginning of recorded history. Even today, over 45 % of the prescriptions in the United States contain at least one drug originally derived from plants. Examples of lifesaving drugs derived from plants include quinine from the cinchona tree which is used to treat malaria; digitalis from the foxglove plant which is used to treat chronic heart trouble; and morphine from the poppy plant which is used to reduce pain. According the National Cancer Institute over 70 % of the promising anti- cancer drugs come from plants in the tropical rainforests. Animals also play a role in medicine. For example, the armadillo is used in leprosy research as it is the only other animal besides human beings that can contract the disease. Of the 250,000 known plant species, only 5,000 have been thoroughly researched for possible medical applications.

Industrial Products - Plants and animals are very important for industrial purposes. For example, the forestry industry could not exist without trees. In addition to raw resources, though, there are many other products derived from plants. Oils, lubricants, perfumes, fragrances, dyes, paper, waxes, rubber, latexes, resins, poisons, cork and fibers can all be derived from various plant species. Animals supply humans with wool, silk, fur, leather, lubricants, waxes and can act as a mode of transportation.

Tourism and Recreation - Many people travel great distances to view the incredible biodiversity on Earth. This provides a source of economic wealth for many areas, including British Columbia. Wild plants and animals are a source of beauty, wonder and joy for many people who come to see them. Tourism and recreation are billion dollar industries as the most popular tourist areas are often national parks and forests. Each year, 84 % of the Canadian population are involved in some time outdoor recreational activity.

3.2 Ecological and Scientific Importance

Biodiversity is important in a scientific sense because each species can give scientists some clue as to how life evolved and will continue to evolve on Earth. In addition, biodiversity helps scientists understand how life functions and the role of each species in sustaining ecosystems.

All species provide some sort of function to an ecosystem. In an ecosystem, they can act as producers, decomposers, help to cycle water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem, can control erosion and pests, fix atmospheric gases, and can help regulate climate. Not only are these functions important to an ecosystem, but they are vital to human survival. Research done by David Tilman in Minnesota showed that the more diverse an ecosystem the better it can withstand environmental stress. In conclusion, each species has an important role in the functioning of a ecosystem. When a species is lost the function of the ecosystem is deteriorated.

3.3 Ethical and Spiritual Importance

Ethical considerations depend on how humans view themselves in relation to the rest of the living world. If humans take the view that all species have the right to exist, then humans cannot knowingly cause the extinction of other species. Further, the biodiversity of an area is a part of many cultures spiritual heritage.

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