Importance of biodiversity
Also called: Values of biodiversity · Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 14 "Biodiversity and Conservation"
Meaning
Biodiversity matters in four ways:
- Ecological value: a more diverse ecosystem is more stable and recovers better from shocks.
- Economic value: it gives us food, timber, fish, medicines and cosmetics.
- Scientific value: it gives clues to how life evolved.
- Ethical value: every species has a right to exist, whether or not it is useful to people.
It also provides ecosystem services, the free benefits of nature, such as cycling water and nutrients, breaking down waste and regulating climate.
Example
A sacred grove in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, protects fruit bats. The bats pollinate flowers and spread seeds, which helps keep the surrounding vegetation healthy. This shows the ecological value of biodiversity.
Related concepts
- Biodiversity
- Species
- Genetic diversity
- Species diversity
- Ecosystem diversity
- Latitudinal diversity gradient
- Endemic species
- Ecosystem services
- Agro-biodiversity