Chapter 7, Problem 17STP

Summary Introduction

To determine: Why economic value is not the only consideration when it comes to biodiversity.

Introduction: Biodiversity refers to variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.

Biodiversity is typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level. Terrestrial biodiversity is usually greater near the equator, which is the result of the warm climate and high primary productivity. 

Explanation of Solution

Ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Biodiversity also holds value for potential benefits which are not yet recognized. For ex. Biodiversity has cultural value to humans as well, for example new medicine. The intrinsic value of biodiversity refers to its inherent worth, which is independent of its value to anyone or anything else. The biodiversity is valuable because of how it shapes who we are, our relationships to each other, and social norms. These relational values are part of peoples’ individual or collective sense of wellbeing, responsibility for, and connection with the environment. So, we can say that ecosystem provides many useful things for the survival on earth. For example, the forest supports rainfall which sustains vegetation.

Conclusion

Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives.