reasons for maintaining biodiversity Flashcards
What are the aesthetic reasons for maintaining biodiversity?
prescence of plants and animals enriches our lives - e.g. woodland or park
inspitation for musicians and writers
patients recover more rapidly from stress and injury when they supported by a relatively natural environment
How can degrading biodiversity effect food production?
soil erosion and desertification occur as a result of deforestation, this affects food production as a nation
continuous monoculture results in soil erosion - reduction in nutrients also, makes it more vulnerable to pests and weeds
high biodiversity provides protection against abiotic stress and disease - e.g. Irish potato famine
w/ high biodiversity cross breeding is possible w/ resistance to disease and increase crop yield
what are the other economic reasons?
areas with biodiversity creates an attractive environment - increases tourism and property prices
undiscovered species may be beneficial to humans e.g. treatment for diseases
overuse of particular species may lead a collapse in the industry they have formed
What are the ecological reasons for maintaining for biodiversity?
organisms are interdependant on one another - removal of one may lead to more
keystone species - maintain structure of an ecological community
What are the ethical reasons?
animals have a right to life
maintain species for future generations
humans have a duty of care
