It is important to take care of biodiversity because it is essential for the permanence of life on Earth. Biodiversity is the result of millions of years of evolution of the planet, which has resulted in the development and survival of numerous species, including the human race.
It is important to note that biodiversity is called the number of plants, animals, and microorganisms that inhabit the Different ecosystems Of the planet, such as deserts, tropical forests and reefs, among others.
In other words, biodiversity refers to all forms of life that coexist within the planet Earth.
Biodiversity depends on the existence and sustainability of the different ecosystems of the Earth. In this way, it is understood that every life form that inhabits the planet must be protected, since regardless of its size plays a fundamental role for the sustainable preservation of life.
On the other hand, it is important for humans to take care of biodiversity, since biodiversity benefits greatly from it. In this way, if there is a greater variety of plants, it will be possible to grow more types of food.
If ecosystems are stable, the occurrence of natural disasters or environmental crises will be less likely (Website, 2017).
Reasons for the importance of biodiversity
1 - Species Dependency
Although natural selection indicates that only the strongest survives, in fact the existence of all species is interrelated.
All species depend on the action and work of other life forms in order to survive. This phenomenon is known as cooperation for mutual survival.
In the absence of any species within this relationship of mutual cooperation, the ecosystem would be unbalanced giving way to major environmental catastrophes.
2 - Fixation of Nitrogen in the Soil
The relationship between bacteria, plants and soil is known as the nitrogen cycle.
This process is fundamental for the conservation of the biosphere of the planet in optimal state, therefore, it is primordial for the presence of the life in the earth.
The nitrogen cycle involves the involvement of multiple organisms. In the event of any of these organisms missing, the cycle would be dramatically altered, affecting in consequence the formation and existence of other life forms outside the cycle.
At present, thanks to industrialized agriculture techniques, the natural nitrogen cycle is altered.
In this way, many forms of life are annihilated and the natural balance of ecosystems is altered (Agriculturers, 2016).
3 - Importance for Science and Engineering
For many years scientists have looked at nature to determine how species work and how their production cycle and resource consumption are.
In this way, science has sought ways to copy the behavior and mechanisms found in nature, as these are the result of millions of years of evolution.
An example of this may be the production of spider silk, which has a higher tensile strength than certain metal alloys devised by man, although it is made only of proteins.
In this way, biologists analyze these processes in a deeper way to determine if it is possible to reproduce this type of phenomena on a human scale (Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 2007).
4 - Human Use and Biological Interest
Many people support environmental causes for the preservation of the beauty of nature, however, the main reason why biodiversity care should be promoted transcends these reasons.
The earth has been defined as a great living organism or system that is only possible thanks to the interdependence between the nature of all species.
This is how many scientists have determined that ecological balance and biodiversity are crucial to the existence of the Earth and human life.
5 - Cleaning of Water and Air
When biodiversity is protected, animal and plant species responsible for filtering and cleaning water resources can live fully.
In this way, a balance is maintained where all the species that the water requires to survive can do so.
On the other hand, the purification of the air is only possible thanks to the action of the different types of plants and bacteria that coexist within the ecosystems.
In case biodiversity is affected, air purification will become more difficult (Cohabinitiative, 2010).
6 - Disaster Prevention
The protection of biodiversity contributes to the stabilization of the world's different ecosystems.
When ecosystems are in optimal condition, environmental reactions, such as natural disasters, are less likely to occur.
7 - Food Source
Healthy biodiversity offers multiple services to all species in the world. A greater number of plant species will make it possible to grow various food sources.
It will also make possible the development of other forms of life whose existence depends on the consumption of the different types of cultivated plants.
This principle operates in the same way for all species, since those that eat meat can only survive when their prey can reproduce and grow successfully.
8 - Other
Other reasons why it is important to care for the ecosystem are listed below:
- Training and protection of soils.
- Production and storage of nutrients.
- Contribution to climate stabilization.
- Maintenance of Ecosystems.
- Unpredictable event recovery.
- Production of biological resources such as food.
- Production of necessary resources for the pharmaceutical industry.
- Preservation of Cultural Values.
- Contribution to research, education and monitoring of nature.
- Diversification of natural resources.
- Prolongation of the existence of life in time.
- Production of resources necessary for human consumption.
When biological resources are destroyed, their recovery is slow and costly. Therefore, taking care of biodiversity is a strategic way to avoid further complications and to prevent species extinction Which may be central to the existence of other forms of life on the planet (Shah, 2014).
References
- (July 16, 2016). Agriculturers . Obtained from The Importance of the Nitrogen Cycle: agriculturers.com
- (October 2010). Cohabinitiative . Retrieved from The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Health: cbd.int
- Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government . (2007). Important Why is Important Biodiversity: noticenature.ie
- Shah, A. (January 19, 2014). Global Issues . Obtained from Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares?: globalissues.org
- Website, Q. B. (2017). Theory of Biodiversity . Retrieved from Importance of Biodiversity: http://redpath-museum.mcgill.ca.