Chapter 5, Problem 7A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area that is determined by the number of different species in that area. Biodiversity increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes to the health of the biosphere. There are three types of biodiversity that includes ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. It is important to provide biodiversity because it provides many services either directly or indirectly.

Answer to Problem 7A

Correct answer:

Option (C)

Explanation of Solution

Explanation correct answer:

Option (C) Flood protection is an example of indirect economic value. An indirect economic value is a service provided by organisms not requiring harvesting. A healthy biosphere provides protection against floods and droughts, generates and preserve healthful fertile soil, detoxify and decompose wastes and regulates local climates.

Explanation incorrect answer:

A direct economic value means it is harvested directly from an organism. Human depends on plants and animals as they provide food, clothing, energy medicine and shelter.

Option (A) Food requires harvesting from organisms.

Option (B) Clothing requires harvesting from organisms.

Option (D) Making medicines require harvesting from organisms.