Why is Biodiversity Important?

Before one can understand why biodiversity is important, one must understand exactly what it is. Unfortunately, biodiversity is a concept that is often misunderstood and misrepresented to the public. The term biodiversity is short for biological diversity, which refers to all organisms, species, and populations; the genetic variation among them; and the complex communities and ecosystems that they are a part of. Biodiversity can be split into three main groups: genetic diversity, which all the different genes contained within a species and between species; species diversity, which is all the differences within and between populations of species; and ecosystem diversity, which is all the different habitats, biological communities and ecological processes across and within different ecosystems. At the heart of biodiversity lies a principle understand of the intricate and fragile workings of the environment. The biological development of the Earth depended on harmony and cooperation between different species, plants and other elements of the environment. In order for any ecosystem to thrive, there must be plants and trees to provide food and air and a source of water. There will most likely be insects and there will be an insect eating population and most likely predators that eat the insect eating animals. Relationships like these can be found everywhere and it is a relationship that humans are not exempt from. With the basic understanding of this relationship, it is then possible to grasp the intricacies of biodiversity and the obvious importance in maintaining it.

Having biodiversity comes with a host of benefits for the planets and humans. The Earth's biodiversity is the reason that the world was able to develop as it has to this point. Biodiversity has provided human beings with excess populations of animals to be hunted, vast lake and oceans for fishing, land for agriculture, forests for wood products and the resources to make medicines. It is only because of biodiversity that there is clean air, drinkable water and other resources that support such a large human population. Scientists have put a great deal of effort into exploring the many negative effects of the increased of species, habitat and environmental loss that will result of a lack of interest in preserving biodiversity. While the extents of the effects are only speculation, scientists are sure that a lack of biodiversity will be crippling to the Earth and its remaining populations. Scientist have traced the importance of biodiversity to major environmental issues such as climate change, increase in spread of disease, fresh water resources, dietary health, nutrition, medical science and medical resources.

Surprisingly enough, biodiversity is linked with social and psychological health as well. With no added elements of embellishment or exaggeration, it can be said that biodiversity should be one of the most important concerns for humanity in this era of environmental concern. It has been proven by scientists that almost every element of this planet and subsequently every aspect of human life is affected by biodiversity. For this reason, It is important understand biodiversity, which includes its possible threats. Biodiversity is threatened by habit loss and destruction, primarily at the hands of human intervention. Alternation in ecosystem composition, which includes the loss or decline of particular species, is also a major threat to biodiversity. When an ecosystem is altered, it leads to changes in balance between resources and population. The introduction of a non-native species is just as large of a threat to biodiversity and can disrupt or even destroy whole populations of other species. Over exploitation in the form of hunting, fishing and collecting greatly threatened biodiversity on an international level. Continuing in the trend of human destruction, population and contamination are also to major forces that threaten biodiversity across the globe. Understanding biodiversity and threats to the sanctity of biodiversity only lead to one conclusion; biodiversity is important and needs to be preserved for the benefit of humanity and the world.