CH11 reasons for maintaining biodiversity

Question 1

Aesthetic reasons

Answer 1

• presence of different plants and animals in our environment enriches our lives
• natural world provides inspiration for people such as musicians and writers
• studies have shown that patients recover more rapidly from stress and injury when supported by plants

Question 2

Economic reasons

Answer 2

• reduces countries ability to grow crops due to soil erosion and desertification
• need to conserve materials used to make things, as otherwise industries will collapse
• species with potential economic benefits may be extinct before discovery
• high biodiversity provides protection against abiotic stresses
• plant varieties are needed for cross breeding, which can lead to better characteristics

Question 3

Ecological reasons

Answer 3

• all organisms are interdependent
• some species play a key role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community