What Is the Value of Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is what some might call the “library of life.” It encompasses all living things from single-celled organisms to lush trees to giant ocean-dwelling animals and everything in between. Biodiversity even includes humans. All of Earth’s species play an important role in nature’s delicate balancing act.

 

Some areas of the Earth are considered “hotspots” for biodiversity, home to vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. But many of these areas have been devastated by natural disasters. The Amazon and Australian rainforests, for example, have recently been ravaged by wildfires. In 2016, the Great Barrier Reef experienced massive loss due to rising ocean temperatures. Other hotspots are suffering the effects of human interference, including pollution, deforestation, poaching, and unsustainable resource use. 

 

Worldwide, we’re in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, and each day we are losing more and more species of vital importance. Insects and birds, for example, are both in rapid decline, and amphibians and mammals are not far behind. According to the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity (LEAP), we’re witnessing similar loss right here in Cleveland. The problem is so widespread that the World Economic Forum’s recently released Global Risks Report 2020 lists biodiversity loss as one of the foremost threats facing society this year. 

 

But why is biodiversity so important? And what is the value of biodiversity, anyway?
 

The biggest impact of biodiversity is on the environment. Healthy ecosystems help to maintain the Earth’s natural processes. Soil turnover, water purification, pest control, and other processes wouldn’t be possible without the species that support them. Interruptions to these processes can be devastating. 

 

Take food security, for example. 

 

Birds and pollinators spread the seeds and pollen of plants that sustain us. Without bees, we might not know the pleasure of foods like blueberries, cherries, almonds, coffee, avocados, and many others. Not only are bees threatened by insecticide use and declining floral diversity, but according to a recent article published in the journal Science, they are also facing pressure from climate change. 

 

Overharvesting and uncontrolled hunting can leave plants and animals in a vulnerable state. Agricultural crops are so over-cultivated that one invasive insect or disease could wipe out household staples like bananas and cacao. And entire food webs can collapse with the loss of a single species. When these collapses occur, nutrition sources become limited, which can then cause food insecurity—a major problem that would compound the world’s already devastating hunger crisis. But safeguarding biodiversity can ensure sustenance for generations to come.
 

Biodiversity also offers society some rarely perceived intrinsic benefits. Recognition of the beauty of nature is used as a tool in meditation. And many cultures and religions revere the inherent value of life and build their morals around appreciation of natural diversity. 

 

In addition to philosophical benefits, biodiversity confers tangible economic advantages. There’s certainly something to be said for the growing marketplace opportunities available to eco-minded companies. And offering unique vacation spots with wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else propels tourism. 

 

Without biodiversity, the national and global economies would suffer massive losses. Conversely, concerted efforts to protect it would produce huge returns. Experts from The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) estimate that curbing deforestation (which threatens biodiversity) would yield a global savings of $3.7 trillion. Yes, that’s “trillion” with a “t.” 
 

Of course, there’s always a fear of missing out on creatures not yet known to science. And the implications of losing unidentified species to extinction are grim.

 

Plants, animals, fungi, and other organic matter often inspire technological advancements. Birds and bats have served as models for air transportation. Frogs and amphibians have informed the development of wet adhesives. And since the beginning of time, unique physical adaptations and behavioral strategies have led engineers, artists, and researchers to some of their biggest breakthroughs. 

 

But what if the species that sparked these great ideas had never been found? It’s difficult to imagine all the unlocked potential.

 

What’s more, medical interventions are often borne of natural phenomena. It’s common for new medications to be inspired by things that occur in nature. Many antibiotics are derived from microbes, and aspirin comes from the white willow tree. Revolutionary cancer treatments were made possible thanks to certain species of tropical plants. 

 

As biodiversity decreases, opportunities for further health advancements may never emerge. Protecting nature, however, can ensure that these vital species will still be around if and when we need them.
 

As we continue to lose ecosystems and species on a global scale, it’s clear that our planet is facing a biodiversity crisis. But as overwhelming as the problem may seem, there is still hope that we can reverse it.

 

One easy, practical way that you can contribute to scientists’ knowledge about our local ecosystem is to participate in the Museum’s citizen-science initiative, Protect Cleveland’s Living Environment (ProtectCLE, for short). All we’re asking is for members of our community to pick one square foot of space to observe—it could be in your backyard or the park, at work or school, between the cracks of a sidewalk or on the bark of a fallen tree. The choice is yours to make.

 

You could collect insects in a jar to photograph, then release them. Or take note of squirrels and birds passing by your window. Count and photograph the plants you see; weeds and trees count, too. All of this adds up to a better understanding of the biodiversity in our own community. It really is that simple.

 

Your help will make it easier to identify conservation priorities, locate species of importance, and keep track of the health of our ecosystems. We’ll know when our efforts are working or when we’re facing new challenges because we’ll have a record of what came before and after.

 

So, help us preserve and protect biodiversity and sign up for the ProtectCLE initiative today.