How does biodiversity relate to the environment?
Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem. A wide variety of species will cope better with threats than a limited number of them in large populations. Even if certain species are affected by pollution, climate change or human activities, the ecosystem as a whole may adapt and survive.
Why is biodiversity so important for a healthy environment?
Biodiversity provides vital ecosystem functions such as soil fertilization, nutrient recycling, pest and disease regulation, erosion control and crop and tree pollination.
How does biodiversity protect the health of an ecosystem?
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops. Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.
What is biodiversity environmental?
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the multitude of living things that make up life on Earth. It encompasses the 8 million or so species on the planet—from plants and animals to fungi and bacteria—and the ecosystems that house them such as oceans, forests, mountain environments and coral reefs.
Is biodiversity a part of environment?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. This life, in all its shapes and sizes, occurs in the context of ecosystems: it relies on and interacts with other organisms and the physical environment. … But biodiversity is also a measure of the health of any ecosystem.
What is biodiversity Why is biodiversity important for human life?
Biodiversity is important to humans for ecological life support, biodiversity gives a functioning ecosystem that provides oxygen, clear air and water, plant pollutions, pest control, wastewater treatment and lots of ecosystem services.
How does human benefit from biodiversity and in turn protect biodiversity?
The services these species provide contribute to the delicately-running natural cycles that help make earth habitable to humans and contribute to our way of life in many ways, from providing us food and pharmaceuticals to helping reduce the impact of natural disasters such as floods. …
Why is biodiversity important for humans?
Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests.
How does loss of biodiversity affect health care?
However, biodiversity can also be a source of pathogens leading to negative health outcomes. … For example, the use of pharmaceuticals may lead to the release of active ingredients in the environment and damage species and ecosystems, which in turn may have negative knock-on effects on human health.”