Biological diversity is
the variation of organisms and their complex role in ecosystems on planet
Earth. Biodiversity encompasses a wide spectrum of species, which offer
substantial contributions to the productivity of an ecosystem (i.e. deserts,
rain forests and coral reefs).Ecosystems are some of the most complicated
networks on Earth. Biodiversity increases the spectrum of life and ensures
sustainability for the entire ecosystem, and thus, our world.
When quantifying the
economic gain of biodiversity conservation in 2006, we can see $240 billion
dollars from pharmaceutical industries, $70 billion from biotechnology, $30
billion from agriculture and $65 billion from personal care, botanical and food
& beverage industries. (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for National
and International Policy Makers 2009
, p.17)
Conserving biodiversity
is extremely important and currently receiving a resurgence of attention because of biological engineering or biodiversity prospecting. Biodiversity
prospecting is the process of searching for naturally-occurring organisms that
may be able to be used as a pharmaceutical or other beneficial innovation. Such
innovations have been the PCR test (Taq enzyme), plants to treat Leukemia (Madagascar
Rose Periwinkle) or snake venom used for treating cancers.
Unfortunately, much of the general population does not
typically grasp the concept of biodiversity conservation and it’s importance
without an economic incentive.
There are considerable challenges to the conservation of biodiversity. Some
well-known threats are pollution, climate change, over hunting, invasion of
non-native species and habitat loss. To sum it up, the richer the diversity of
life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic
development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.