The Importance of Biodiversity On Human Well Being.

 

ENSC3013 Assignment 7

Kirsten McKenzie _20876622 _20876622

Th e importance of bi od The odii ve verr sity f or hum human an wel wel l- be beii ng 

Biodiversity (biological diversity) refers to the variety, number, abundance, composition, spatial distribution, interactions and functional traits of all life forms on earth (Diaz, Fargione, Capin & Tilman 2006). It encompasses: genetic diversity and species diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms as well as ecosystem diversity, which is the variety of habitats, ecological communities and ecological processes (Ministerial Council 2010). Biodiversity is dynamic; it is amplified by evolutionary processes and curtailed by threats t hreats and pressures on the natural environment the latter of which humans are increasingly responsible. The importance of biodiversity can

be

described

by

its

capacity to influence and support ecosystem services and the long-term provision of  them as shown in figure 1. Ecosystem services can be thought of as biological life support systems, which are fundamental

to

human

 physical, social, cultural and economic well-being. Biodiversity

supports

ecosystem services through  primary production, habitat  provision,

nutrient

atmospheric

cycling, oxygen

 production and soil formation and retention.

FIGURE 1: THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BIODIVERSITY AND HUMAN WELL-BEING (S DÍAZ, 2006)

 

ENSC3013 Assignment 7

Kirsten McKenzie _20876622 _20876622

Ecosystem services provide raw material such as food, fibre, fuel, and fresh water and  play a regulatory role in the environment including services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, pest and disease control, water purification, carbon sequestration and flood control. A large number of resident species within a functional group can act as safeguard to functionality of ecosystem processes and services under  changing threats and pressures. Therefore a healthy level of biodiversity results in the resilience of ecosystems (Ministerial Council 2010). This directly emphasizes the importance of biodiversity to the physical well being of humans. Although some components are more important than others and it is functional composition of   biodiversity that appears to cause the on many ma ny ecosystem services ser vices rather than the number  of species present (Diaz, Fargione, Capin & Tilman 2006).

The benefits obtained by humans from ecosystem services are context dependent for  example in Western countries forestry, agriculture and fishing form a vital industry, which lead to many others such as food production, manufacturing, retail and other  services. Biodiversity is therefore responsible for a large portion of GDP. A higher GDP  per capita can be seen as an indicator of a higher standard or living, which leads to social well being. Another economic influence is the regulatory effect of biodiversity;  pollination leads back to the food industry and water filtration, pest and disease control and flood control reduce the need for human intervention. The impact on infrastructure and thus the expense and despair brought on by floods is greatly reduced. In poorer less developed countries nature is directly relied on far more for survival and the effects of   biodiversity loss are are felt more. Lastly the joy derived by humans from the variety and natural beauty in the world is immense, not only have we learnt a significant amount from nature and the complexity of  the processes it performs which has lead us to use their designs to solve human problems (biomimicary), the recreational, spiritual and aesthetic benefits are immeasurable. References

Díaz,S, Fargione, J, Chapin,S & Tilman,D Tilman,D  2006. Biodiversity Loss Threatens Human WellBeing. PLoS Biology, vol.4, no 8 [16 May 2013]  Natural Resource Resource Management Management Ministerial Council Council 2010, Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010 –2030. Government, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. [16 May 2013]