In addition to its conservation value, biodiversity also offers ecological services. It encompasses the genetic diversity of species and the variety of ecosystems they live. Here are some definitions of biodiversity that may be of use to you. Identifying the most important types of biodiversity is important if you want to protect the environment for future generations.
Biological diversity
Biological diversity is a primary concern for many people and nations, and its conservation is a top priority for the CBD and many national laws. It is also a high priority for international development agencies. Many conservation projects have been undertaken, often in connection with economic development and agricultural expansion, and some development agencies even require conservation projects as a condition of the loan. However, these projects alone will not ensure that biodiversity will be protected, and in many cases, a lack of conservation measures will exacerbate environmental degradation.
Biological diversity has many facets, and the IPBES definition includes multiple biotic/ecological elements. However, there is no consensus definition of biodiversity, which has contributed to definitional chaos. Many of these definitions are based on subjective and often conflicting perspectives. For example, the Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Biodiversity discusses the difficulty of reaching a consistent definition of biodiversity.
The biodiversity assessment includes a range of factors, including the number of different species, the size and shape of ecosystems, and the genetic, phenotypic, and phylogenetic diversity of each. It also takes into account changes in abundance and distribution over time.
Ecological services
Ecosystem services are a key part of biodiversity and are increasingly recognized at national and global scales. In the European Union, for example, the Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 aims to assess and map the state of ecosystems and quantify the economic value of ecosystem services. Non-EU governments are also beginning to include ecosystem services in their national accounts.
Although we often think of biodiversity in terms of species richness, species composition is just as important. A species’ relative abundance and traits determine its relative importance, and these traits influence ecosystem function and services. This is especially true of plant species, often the dominant species in ecosystem processing. Consequently, species diversity is important for the functioning of ecosystems, as it enables them to meet the needs of human beings and nature.
The ecosystem services assessment can be facilitated by establishing collaborative networks of observing agencies. These networks can collect and share data on ecosystem services and other environmental factors. Stakeholders in different sectors can use the information they collect.
Recreational value
The recreational value of biodiversity has been measured in several ways. Generally, the value of biodiversity is measured in terms of travel time and cost. This method accounts for many factors, including the economic significance of biodiversity. In addition to recreation, biodiversity is also an important source of biological resources such as food, medicines, building materials, and raw materials for clothing and other products. These resources are invaluable to the human race and have become a major source of satisfaction.
Ecosystems also contribute to economic processes such as water purification and carbon sequestration. Furthermore, genetic diversity contributes to non-consumptive recreational value. This value is also called existence or option value. Existence value is the value of biodiversity today and in the future, while option value is the satisfaction that a person gets from enjoying biodiversity.
Conservation value
Restoring biodiversity involves restoring ecosystem function. However, restoring biodiversity is difficult because many species have lost genetic diversity. Consequently, it is expensive to restore these species and their populations. Furthermore, the restoration efforts may result in an ecosystem with a less diverse mix of species. To address this challenge, restoration efforts focus on restoring species and their communities.
Restoring ecosystems is becoming increasingly difficult in a world with a growing human population. The primary reasons include loss of habitat due to habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat due to overuse, and global invasions of exotic species. Land conversion for agriculture and urbanization also contributes to habitat loss. Increasing visitor numbers also contribute to the over-exploitation of nature reserves. As a result, restoration efforts must be planned carefully to protect the original flora and fauna.
The use of indicators can aid conservation efforts. These tools can tell a complex story about biodiversity and set appropriate responses to pressures. However, indicators must be technically sound, defensible, and convey information to a large audience. They may even need to embody a ‘vision’ to solve a problem.