1. Why is biodiversity important?
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

2. Why is biodiversity important?
Ecological
Economic
Aesthetic
Ethical
Glasswing Butterfly (Greta oto)
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

3. Tropical rain forest & biodiversity
Tropical rainforests = about 7% of the Earth’s land surface (about 9 million km2) They contain about 50% of the known species
They are being cleared for timber or agriculture km2 lost per year
At this rate they will all be cleared in 100 years.
Biological Conservatiuon I Spellerberg & S Hardes 1992 CUP
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

4. Ecological reasons High biodiversity = a healthy ecosystem
Ecosystems under stress from over exploitation or pollution, will show low diversity
Once diversity is lost from an ecosystem it cannot recover easily
Species need to migrate back in from neighbouring ecosystems
Extinction is forever.
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

5. Aesthetic reasons People like diverse habitats
The money people are prepared to spend on it suggests this
Animals and plants give us pleasure.
US Fisheries & Wildlife Services
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

6. Ethical reasons
Destroying biodiversity is denying a renewable resource to future generations
It is denying a source of pleasure to future generations
When a species becomes extinct a unique combination of genetic information is lost forever
One thinking, reasoning species (Homo sapiens) does not have the moral right to exterminate other species.
US Geological Survey
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS