Question

Why is there a need to conserve biodiversity? (Any two reasons)

Answer 1

There are three main reasons for conserving the biodiversity which have been classified into the following categories:

1. Narrowly utilitarian arguments. Human beings derive direct economic benefits from nature, like food, firewood, fibre, construction material, industrial products (resins, gums, dyes, tannins, etc.) and medicinally important products.
2. Broadly utilitarian arguments. Biodiversity plays a major role in maintaining and sustaining supply of goods and services from various species as well as ecological systems. The different ecological services provided are:
   1. Amazon forest is estimated to contribute 20 per cent of the total oxygen in the atmosphere on earth.
   2. Pollinators like bee, bumble bees, birds and bats pollinate plants to form fruits and seeds.
   3. Aesthetic pleasures like bird watching, spring flowers in full bloom, walking through the thick forest, waking up to a bulbul’s song, etc. are some other benefits of the ecosystem.
3. Ethical reasons there are thousands of plants, animals and microbes on this earth which are not useless. Everyone has some intrinsic value even if it is not of any economic value to us. It is, therefore, our moral duty to ensure well-being of all the living creatures for the utilisation of future generations.