outline reasons for the need to maintain biodiversity

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge A-Level Biology 9700 – Conservation: Reasons to Maintain Biodiversity

Conservation – Why Maintaining Biodiversity Is Essential

Learning Objective

Outline the reasons for the need to maintain biodiversity.

Key Reasons for Maintaining Biodiversity

  • Ecological Stability – Diverse ecosystems are more resilient to disturbances such as disease, climate change, and invasive species.

  • Ecosystem Services – Biodiversity underpins services that humans rely on, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services.

  • Genetic Resources – A wide genetic pool provides material for crop improvement, medicine development, and adaptation to future environmental changes.

  • Economic \cdot alue – Many industries (agriculture, fisheries, tourism) depend directly on biodiversity for sustainable profit.

  • Moral and Ethical Considerations – All living organisms have intrinsic value and a right to exist.

  • Scientific Knowledge – Biodiversity offers opportunities for research, discovery, and education.

Ecosystem Services Provided by Biodiversity

Service CategoryExamples and Importance
ProvisioningFood, fresh water, timber, fiber, medicines, genetic material.
RegulatingClimate regulation, pollination, pest control, disease regulation, water purification.
CulturalRecreational, spiritual, educational, and aesthetic values.
SupportingSoil formation, nutrient cycling, primary production, habitat provision.

Consequences of Biodiversity Loss

  1. Reduced ecosystem resilience leading to higher risk of collapse.

  2. Loss of potential food sources and medicinal compounds.

  3. Decline in ecosystem services, increasing costs for human societies.

  4. Economic losses in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors.

  5. Accelerated climate change impacts due to diminished carbon sequestration.

Suggested Diagram

Suggested diagram: A flowchart linking biodiversity to ecosystem services and human well‑being.

Summary

Maintaining biodiversity is not merely an environmental concern; it is fundamental to ecological stability, human health, economic prosperity, and ethical responsibility. Protecting the variety of life ensures the continued provision of essential ecosystem services that sustain societies now and into the future.