What are the benefits of high biodiversity?

High biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability, productivity, and resilience, and supports human livelihoods and wellbeing.

Biodiversity, or the variety of life on Earth, plays a crucial role in the functioning of ecosystems and our ability to inhabit the planet. It contributes to ecosystem stability by ensuring that a wide range of species can fulfil different roles within the ecosystem. For example, in a forest, different types of trees, plants, and animals each have their own niche, or role, to play. If one species were to disappear, others could potentially step in to fill its role, ensuring the ecosystem continues to function effectively.

Biodiversity also enhances ecosystem productivity. A diverse ecosystem is usually more productive than a less diverse one because different species use resources in different ways. This means that a diverse ecosystem can support a larger total biomass, or amount of living matter, than a less diverse one. For example, in a grassland ecosystem, different types of grasses and other plants can coexist because they use different resources, or use the same resources in different ways, allowing the ecosystem to support a larger total amount of plant life.

Resilience is another key benefit of high biodiversity. Ecosystems with a high level of biodiversity are generally more resilient to disturbances such as disease outbreaks, climate change, or human activities. This is because the presence of many different species provides a sort of 'insurance' against the loss of any one species. If one species is lost, others can step in to fill its role, helping the ecosystem to recover more quickly.

Finally, biodiversity supports human livelihoods and wellbeing in many ways. It provides us with a wide range of goods and services, from food and medicine to clean air and water. It also has cultural and spiritual significance for many people, and contributes to our sense of place and identity. Moreover, biodiversity is a source of inspiration for science and technology, and plays a crucial role in education and research.