BIODIVERSITY  How Humans Perceive Their “Role” on This Planet  Humans have perceived themselves as “masters” of all species  Humans view other organisms in terms of their economic value Why are species important?

WHY SHOULD WE CARE? The golden-cheeked warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia winters in Central America but breeds in the Texas hill country, where its habitat is being lost to housing development

WHY SHOULD WE CARE? The green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas occurs throughout the world's oceans and lays eggs on beaches in Costa Rica and elsewhere But it has undergone steep population declines.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE? The red-backed squirrel monkey, Saimiri oerstedii is endemic to a tiny area in Costa Rica Its small geographic range makes it vulnerable to forest loss.

Species diversity = Ecosystem stability Food web strength Healthy environment WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?

Biodiversity is important to scientific research Better understanding of the world in which we live. Better quality of life. Genetic Reserves Every species needs an adequate gene pool in order to survive Crossing crop species with pest & disease resistant plants

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? Economics  New fibers, (hemp); latex  Fine lubricants (Jojoba)  Perfumes, dyes )  Fungicides (insects)  Food (honey)

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? Enhance Food Security  Currently we get 90% of our food from just 30 crops and 14 livestock species, as compared to the approximately 7000 plant species and several thousand animal species in past history.  Maintaining genetic diversity in existing crops is essential

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? Drugs and Medicine >50% of all prescriptions contain natural products

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? Biophilia  An outlet for human’s instinctive “love for nature”  Cultural and religious icons

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? Tree species provide lumber and chemicals for industry

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? More importantly… Intact forests provide clean air, water, and a hydrologic buffer against flooding and drought

Species add to the aesthetic beauty of our world All species have a right to exist just like all humans have a right to life WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT?

Ecotourism brings badly needed money into poor countries which in turn helps them preserve species

WHY ARE SPECIES IMPORTANT? You decide

 Species should be allowed to exist without having to provide a reason  This is DEEP ECOLOGY