The Importance of Biodiversity
Sit back, close your eyes, and think for a moment. Is there a day when you do not use some organism? From the time you wake up to the time you sleep what species have been valuable to your life? Why do you consider them valuable?
The value of species can be divided into three categories:
Direct economic value - We get products from many species in the different kingdoms. They are sources of food, medicine, clothing, shelter, and biomass for energy.
Most of our crops now were domesticated from wild plants. In the future, wild strains of the present species will be needed for their genetic diversity. From them, scientists hope to develop strains that can withstand pests or harsh weather and consequently produce higher yields.
Some medicines being used nowadays have formulations extracted from plants or animals. Aspirin was first extracted from the leaves of the willow, Salix alba. Two chemicals, vinblastine, and vincristine are used in chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease and some forms of cancer, including lymphocytic leukemia. These drugs have been extracted from the rosy periwinkle (Tagalog: Tsitsirika; scientific name, Catharanthus roseus). There are also species used as experimental organisms for testing the effects of drugs before they are prescribed to people for treatment of diseases.
Indirect economic value - There are benefits produced by species even without our using them. For example, certain species maintain the chemical quality of natural water bodies, prevent soil erosion and floods, cycle minerals in soil, and absorb pollutants. They perform "services" beneficial to humans. Thus certain birds feed on insect pests and small rodents that are themselves destroyers of valuable crops.
Aesthetic value - Imagine a rose, a butterfly, and a peacock. Do you admire them for their beauty? A bamboo tree swaying in the gentle breeze has its own calming beauty, isn't it?
All these species are part of biodiversity. They are valuable for their product, for their role in keeping the environment healthy, and simple for their beauty.