Preserving Biodiversity (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Preserving Biodiversity

• There are many reasons for maintaining and preserving biodiversity, including:

  • Aesthetic reasons

  • Ecological reasons

  • Economic reasons

  • Ethical reasons

  • Social reasons

Aesthetic reasons

• Humans find great joy and pleasure in the beauty of nature

  • It provides inspiration for human creativity, including photography, poetry, music and art

  • There is a strong argument for preserving biodiversity because of its aesthetic benefits

Ecological reasons

• Species and habitats contribute to vital ecological processes and services

  • E.g. pollination, water purification, climate regulation and maintaining soil fertility

• Biodiversity has a major effect on the stability and resilience of an ecosystem

  • A more diverse ecosystem is better able to recover from disturbances and adapt to environmental changes or threats

• For example, if the temperature of a species-rich lake rises due to global warming:

  • Some species of fish in the ecosystem are unable to cope with the change while others can or may be able to adapt

  • The fish that are able to cope or adapt will survive, reproduce and keep contributing to the ecosystem, allowing the ecosystem to continue to function

• Within communities, there are keystone species that have a larger impact on the ecosystem than others

  • When these species are lost there are knock-on effects

  • Bush elephants in the African savannah are a keystone species

    • They graze in a very extreme way, knocking over and eating several species of tree

    • This destruction of vegetation actually helps to maintain the ecosystem by preventing any one plant species from dominating, creating habitats for other species and increasing biodiversity

    • Elephant dung also provides a habitat for many important fungi and insect species

    • In cases where elephants have been illegally poached for their ivory and their numbers greatly reduced, ecologist have observed major negative impacts on the savannah ecosystem

Economic reasons

• Ecotourism is a major source of income for many countries

  • Natural areas attract tourists, generating revenue for local economies and providing jobs

    • E.g. many tourists travel to and spend money in National parks so they can see wildlife

• Natural capital:

  • Natural ecosystems provide resources like timber, fish and clean water

  • Maintaining these resources supports long-term economic prosperity

• Genetic resources:

  • Wild species are sources of genes for crop improvement, medicine, and biotechnology

  • Preserving this genetic diversity could be essential for future innovations and food security

• Many of the medicines used today have originated from plants, fungi and bacteria

  • For example, the cancer-fighting drug paclitaxel is sourced from Pacific and Himalayan Yew Trees

    • The Himalayan Yew has declined in numbers due to over-harvesting for fuel and medicine

  • Due to the large number of drugs that have already been sourced from nature it is reasonable to assume that there are many other drug still to be found in nature that could be used in the future

Ethical reasons

• Many people believe that species and habitats have intrinsic value (i.e. they have inherent worth, independent of their usefulness to humans)

• Many believe that humans have a moral obligation to prevent the loss of biodiversity that results from human activities

  • Humans share the planet with millions of other species and many people hold the view that they have no right to cause the extinction of other species

  • As humans are the most intelligent, dominant and powerful species on the planet, many believe that it is our responsibility to protect and value all organisms on Earth

  • Many believe that is also our ethical obligation to preserve nature for future generations

Social reasons

• Many people enjoy spending time in the natural environment

  • There are many activities that people can do together in nature, e.g. birdwatching, walking, climbing

  • Access to natural spaces improves mental and physical health

  • Such environments may be lost if their biodiversity is not conserved, resulting in the loss of the social benefits that they can bring