Following are the benefits of biodiversity to mankind:
Ecological benefits:
|
No.
|
Component of Biodiversity
|
Importance
|
|
1.
|
Trees
|
Provide habitat and food for birds, insects, other plants and animals.
|
|
2.
|
Insects, bats, birds and other animals
|
Pollination of plants.
|
|
3.
|
Parasites and predators
|
Control of natural population.
Maintain balance in ecosystem.
|
|
4.
|
Green plants
|
Carry out purification of air (take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and replenish it with oxygen)
|
|
5.
|
Forests
|
Serve as important “sinks” for the absorption of carbon dioxide.
Act as key factors in reducing global climatic change.
|
|
6.
|
Wetlands
|
Serve as a sponge to reduce the impact of floods and to cleanse streams by filtering sediments, nutrients and contaminants from inflowing water.
|
|
7.
|
Earthworms and bacteria
|
Serve as decomposers.
Recycling organic materials and maintaining the productivity of soils.
|
Economic benefits:
|
No.
|
Component of Biodiversity
|
Importance
|
|
1.
|
Fishes, fruits, berries, mushrooms, wheat, corn, rice, vegetables
|
As food
|
|
2.
|
Timber, coal, oil and natural gases
|
Natural resources to produce energy, fuel.
|
|
3.
|
Timber and other forest products
|
Used as building materials and for shelter.
|
|
4.
|
Fibers (Wool and cotton)
|
Making clothes
|
|
5.
|
Bark of cinchona;
Penicillium notatum (Fungus)
|
Quinine (Medicine)
Penicillin (Antibiotic)
|
