What is biodiversity why is biodiversity important for human lives

[Music plays and text appears: What is biodiversity and why is it important?] [Image changes to view from a plane flying above the ground] [Image changes to a bird flying and landing in a treetop] [Image changes to fish swimming in the ocean] [Image changes to a lizard in the forefront, and a view of a city comes into focus in the background] [Image changes to a picture of the ocean and rocks] [Image changes to the sun shining through treetops] Biodiversity is the web of life. [Image changes to a picture of a platypus] [Image changes to show Dr. Steve Morton - Ecologist] Biodiversity is the full variety of all the species that you see in the natural environment around you, like these witchetty bushes and Eremophilas. [Image changes to picture of landscape] All those species across the face of the earth make up biodiversity. [Image changes to ants crawling along the ground] [Image changes to a kangaroo] [Text appears: Genetic variability] And it’s not just species; it’s also the genetic variability they have within them. [Images changes to a pelican sitting on a pole in the water] [Image changes to the rainforest and text appears: Diversity of ecosystems] [Image has changed back to Dr. Steve Morton] And it’s not just the genetic variability and the... all the species diversity, it’s the diversity of ecosystems that they make up, and which you see behind me in this part of central Australia. Biodiversity is all those things. [Text appears: Evolutionary history] It’s the evol...

“All people—living in ancient or modern times, in luxury or destitution, in mega-cities or vast hinterlands—depend intimately and utterly on nature. Through the microbiome inhabiting our body, the nature in local parks and farms, and exotic forests and underwater realms across the world, we are all deeply embedded within the web of life. This extremely subtle and extensive net of relationships sustains and fulfills us, providing the material basics of nutrition, health, and security to ethereal senses of attachment, beauty, and spirit. *” — Gretchen C. Daily, biodiversity expert, Stanford University ife on Earth, which originated about 4 billion years ago, 1 provides the ever-changing, wondrous whole of nature that makes our planet our home. Worms that tunnel through glacial ice, peeking out to feed at dusk. Mangroves that weave a living wall, bolstering shorelines against wind and wave. The wildebeest that, through its grazing, helps prevent a wildfire. Biodiversity is the rich variety of living things that, woven together, support and sustain life on Earth. This “fabric of life” encompasses humans and animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms; the variations in individual traits within each species; and the diverse ecosystems they create. The continued health of all life on the planet, including human life, depends on making choices that will protect biodiversity. Biodiversity today is facing grave threats. Species are disappearing at a rate that far exc...

While large scale changes in behaviour, policies and measures that protect biodiversity will be essential, individuals have a vital part to play. Reducing consumption patterns can start at an individual level through conscious choices about the food we eat, products we buy and services we use. Tackling the biodiversity crisis will require cooperation at all levels of society, from intergovernmental agreements down to local community action. Individuals can play their part in creating the institutions and electing leaders who can help to safeguard biodiversity. Reconnecting with nature and encouraging others to do the same can help people to learn more about local ecosystems, respect them and treasure them. Consumers can have an impact through what they buy and use in their day to day lives. Certain products such as cotton have a disproportionate effect on biodiversity. There is also overconsumption of high environmental footprint meat, especially beef, in many parts of the world. Those with savings and pensions can chose to invest in ways that promote rather than harm biodiversity. Reducing what we waste and throw away can play a part in lowering pollution levels and the over exploitation of natural resources. Huge amounts of food is wasted and by repairing rather than replacing electrical items, and getting more use out of the clothes we already own, consumers can have a positive effect on biodiversity that could also save us money. Delivering information to consumers abo...