4 value of biodiversity

environmenatl studies

1. VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY BY SAISH TORGAL AND SUSHIL PAL

2. DEFINITION OF BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is that part of nature which includes the differences in genes among the individual of a species the variety and richness of all the plant and animals species at different scales in space-locally, in a region, in the country and the world ; and the types of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, within a define area.

3. VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional and local levels The production of oxygen, reduction of carbon dioxide, maintaining the water cycle, and protecting soil are some important services.

4. Biological diversity is also essential for preserving ecological process, such as fixing and recycling of nutrients, soil formation, circulation and cleansing of air and water, global life support ,maintaining the water balance within ecosystems and water shed protection, maintaining stream and river flows throughout the year, erosion control and local flood reduction.

5. CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE Local people collect materials from forest and use them in their daily lives, for their subsistence. The various products collected are: Food like roots, fruits, tubers, fish, mushrooms, animal meat, etc. Fodder for cattle . Fuel wood for cooking.

6. PRODUCTIVE USE VALUE Products collected from forest are sold in the market for economic returns. Important products are Non-timber forest produces like fuel wood, fruits, fiber, honey, gum, etc. Timber for construction and industrial uses cane and bamboo products.+

7. SOCIAL VALUES Apart from local use or sale of products of biodiversity, there is also the social aspect in which more & more resources are used by societies.

8. ETHICAL AND MORAL VALUES Ethical values related to biodiversity conservation are based on the importance of protecting all forms of life. Most religious and secular creeds believe that all forms of life have the right to exist on earth.

9. AESTHETIC VALUE The appreciation of the presence of biodiversity for its inherent value and beauty as well as for the contribution it makes to our knowledge – our aesthetics, imagination and creativity – are other reasons to preserve it. Quite apart from killing wildlife for food, it is important has a tourist attraction.

10. OPTION VALUE Keeping future possibilities open for their use is called optional value. To improve cultivars & domestic livestock, we need to return to wild relatives of crop plants & animals.