Why is biodiversity vital for the well-being of ecosystems?

When people think about biodiversity, they often picture the lush Amazonian rainforests or the diverse ecosystems of tropical oceans.

But even a typical suburban home is full of fascinating life. Spiders, insects, and various arthropods scurry through hidden corners. Molds, algae, and fungi thrive on our food and in our bathrooms. Grasses and weeds pop up in the yard. Birds and mammals even settle in our attics, eaves, and chimneys.

At home, many of us view this diversity as something undesirable and fight it with insecticides, household cleaners, weed killers, and exterminators. But on a global scale, why is biodiversity crucial for ecosystems?

Why Biodiversity Is Vital

To truly appreciate the value of biodiversity, we must adopt the mindset of biologists. Unlike those outside the field, biologists don't just measure biodiversity by the number of species on Earth.

In reality, the variety of life on our planet—known as species diversity or species richness—is only one aspect of biodiversity. Genetic diversity, referring to genetic variation within and between populations, is also a crucial component.

For instance, consider the bald eagle populations in North America. While most bald eagles reside in Alaska and British Columbia, another large group is spread across the Gulf States, from Texas and Baja California to South Carolina and Florida.

The total genetic diversity of all North American bald eagles is represented by the number of genes—distinct units of hereditary information made up of unique DNA sequences—found within the population.

The Significance of Ecosystem Diversity

Our bald eagle example also highlights another facet of diversity. The Pacific Northwest is home to a distinct ecosystem, just as the Gulf Coast of Florida represents another, each with its own unique characteristics. The variety of natural habitats, known as ecosystem diversity, is another vital component of biodiversity.

At first glance, the loss of biodiversity at any given level might not seem like a major issue. After all, scientists have cataloged nearly 2 million species of organisms, and they estimate that there may be as many as 10 million species or more on Earth. So, what’s the real impact of losing some biological diversity here and there?

According to evolutionary biologist E. O. Wilson, the loss of species could conflict with biophilia—the innate human attraction to life and lifelike processes.

If this is the case, then contributing to the degradation of the natural world goes against the essence of being human. It also emphasizes the importance of not denying future generations the same biodiversity we are fortunate to enjoy today.

From Genes to Jeans: How Biodiversity Benefits Us

Conserving biodiversity offers practical advantages. Species with greater genetic diversity have access to a wider gene pool, giving them a better chance of adapting to changing conditions.

Consider cheetahs, for example. Around 10,000 years ago, every species of cheetah except for one went extinct, leaving just *Acinonyx jubatus* in Africa. This small population led to the necessity of mating closely related individuals.

Over time, inbreeding wiped out the genetic diversity among wild cheetahs, making them more susceptible to rapid environmental changes, such as the emergence of a new virus that none of them could survive, due to their shared genetic vulnerabilities.

Humans and the Riches of Nature

Humans benefit from genetic diversity, but we also depend heavily on the vast array of organisms that share the Earth with us.

Plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi offer us the raw materials we use every day. Our diets are based on food crops and the animals that consume them. We wear clothing made from plant and animal fibers. We utilize single-celled organisms like bacteria and yeast to fuel crucial industrial and manufacturing processes.

And then there’s medicine. Nearly 40 percent of all prescription drugs sold worldwide contain natural compounds sourced from various animal, fungal, and plant species [source: USAID]. Penicillin is a classic example of how human health has benefited from a drug derived from another organism.

The Global Importance of Ecosystem Interactions

Perhaps the greatest benefit of biodiversity isn't just the unique compounds found within an individual species' cells, but how that species connects and interacts with other species in its ecosystem, and how that ecosystem cooperates with other thriving ecosystems around the globe.

Consider pollination as an example. Plants depend on pollinators — birds, mammals, and insects — to transfer pollen, which ultimately leads to the production of seeds and fruit. Honeybees are especially important for pollinating specialty food crops.

Unfortunately, in 2006, some beekeepers began reporting losses of up to 90 percent of their hives. Scientists now call this phenomenon colony collapse disorder, and they fear that crop production in the United States could face severe consequences.

Pollination is just one of the many services provided by the intricate interactions among living organisms. Ecosystem services also purify water, enrich soil, decompose waste, control pests, and moderate weather extremes.

Human activity has significantly impacted all of these processes in many ways, including through climate change, and it will continue to lead to habitat destruction as the global human population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050.