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Mountain Biodiversity Conference Article
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Why Is Biodiversity Important- A Primer
from:Any number of people want to know “Why is biodiversity important?” One answer is that is important because it represents the almost infinite variety of plant and animal life, and the variety of the types of Earth's ecosystems that support life as we know it. It enables humans to survive in what would be otherwise be some very adverse conditions.
Any study of “why is biodiversity important” can yield fascinating results. Biodiversity is the very stuff that supports the evolution and differentiation among the varying species. It's why cats are cats and horses are horses and humans are humans. And, further, it is responsible for the differences among groups within the larger species. Look at how many seemingly different types of humans there are. Or jungle cats. Or birds.
Water, wind, and sunlight generate much of the energy we use, and the action of the planet on various substances over the course of centuries create and provide things like coal, which is used to generate heat and more energy. Energy from wind, water, sunlight, and coal heats our homes and powers all our appliances Decaying animal matter has, over the centuries created the fossil fuels we use on a daily basis to power the vehicles that make transportation relatively easy and convenient.
Without biodiversity we would be (if we existed at all) a homogeneous population, with each of us having the same vulnerabilities. This would mean that in, say an epidemic, we would all be killed since there would be no biologic differences that would enable some of us to survive and adapt. Much of our modern medicine is based on combinations of biologically diverse substances isolated from various plants (which we, therefore, label medicinal). Even before the rise of modern medicine, shamans and wise women used various plants to achieve various results. Without those plants, and the great variety of insects that pollinate and cross-pollinate them, humans would be much more vulnerable to disease.
Various industries consider the question of “why is biodiversity important,” because their industries provide lumber, granite, and marble – to name a few of the building materials much human habitation depends upon – we would largely be without shelter.
While humans are omnivorous, without biodiversity there would be virtually no variety in our diets. One reason to ask “why is biodiversity important?” is because biodiversity provides a literal treasure trove of foods, from things as common as wheat or corn to things as exotic as some of the seafood used in sushi. Further, not all the nutrients we need are in any particular food, so without a diverse base of foods to make combinations from our general health would suffer.
The most important reason for asking “why is biodiversity important?” is that biodiversity sustains the bodies we live in, and affects the lives we lead, and the societies we form.
Mountain Biodiversity Conference Specific links
Mountain Biodiversity Conference News
Designated trails safeguard biodiversity - TODAYonline
Designated trails safeguard biodiversity TODAYonline ... mountain bikers" (May 21) and thank Mr Lim for his feedback. The nature reserves are gazetted for the protection of Singapore's remaining native flora and fauna. We encourage the public to visit the nature reserves to enjoy its rich biodiversity. |
Mountains and oceans: sustaining life on earth - Pakistan Daily Times
Mountains and oceans: sustaining life on earth Pakistan Daily Times This year, the conservation community's decision to focus on marine biodiversity as a theme for the day has given me an opportunity to reflect on the inherent, yet often overlooked, bond between mountains and oceans. An anonymous author once said that ... |
New Species Top 10 List: Underworld Worm, Walking Cactus Creature, Blue ... - Science Daily (press release)
 Stuff.co.nz | New Species Top 10 List: Underworld Worm, Walking Cactus Creature, Blue ... Science Daily (press release) The species holds a new record as the largest millipede (16 centimeters or about 6.3 inches) found in one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains. The new species is about 1.5 centimeter (0.6 inch) in diameter with 56 ... New Species 2012: List Includes Sneezing Monkey, Blue Tarantula And Night ... |
Mountain Mourning: Appalachian Women Lead Dramatic Protest Against Mountaintop ... - Huffington Post
 HNN Huntingtonnews.net | Mountain Mourning: Appalachian Women Lead Dramatic Protest Against Mountaintop ... Huffington Post I am convinced that if a value were put on the diverse vegetation that grows in our mountains it would far outweigh the coal that lies within them. We have a biodiversity only second to the Rain Forests and it's being destroyed. Appalachian Women Lead Dramatic Protest Against Mountaintop Removal: Interview ... |
Mountain lion shot as habitat problem persists for the regional big cat population - 89.3 KPCC (blog)
 89.3 KPCC (blog) | Mountain lion shot as habitat problem persists for the regional big cat population 89.3 KPCC (blog) If the Southern California [sic] were a State, mountain lions there might be on the endangered species list, as they are in Florida. KCET's Zach Behrens has written the most frequently and deeply on the subject of biodiversity and wildlife corridors, ... |