8 Main Values of Biodiversity - Explai

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8 Main Values of Biodiversity –

Explained!
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Some of the major values of biodiversity are as follows: 1.

Environmental Value 2. Social Value 3. Ecosystem Services 4.
Economic Value 5. Consumptive use value 6. Productive Use Value
7. Ethical and Moral Value 8. Aesthetic Value.
Biodiversity is the most precious gift of nature mankind is blessed

with. As all the organisms in an ecosystem are interlinked and
interdependent, the value of biodiversity in the life of all the
organisms including humans is enormous.
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The role of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services is twofold.
Firstly, biodiversity is directly used as a source for food, fibre, fuel

and other extractable resources. Secondly, biodiversity plays an
important role in ecosystem processes providing the regulating,
cultural and supporting services.
For example, vegetation cover protects the soil from erosion by

binding soil particles and minimizing the effects of water runoff.
Likewise, cultivation of crops is to a large extent dependent on the
availability of pollinating insects.
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Biodiversity has a fundamental value to humans because we are so
dependent on it for our cultural, economic, and environmental
well-being. Elements of biodiversity can contribute to cultural
identity, and many ecosystem characteristics are frequently
incorporated into cultural traditions.
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Other facts of human well-being, such as health and economic and

political security, can influence the value of biodiversity. Many
arguments to increase efforts to conserve diversity often
emphasize the value of the “un-mined riches” that has yet to be
discovered.
These include potential sources of new foods, medicines, and

energy which can further fuel economic activity, as well as a
healthier population. Biodiversity has proven to hold enormous
value when adapted for use in health, agricultural, or industrial
applications.
In the field of medicine alone, approximately 50% of current

prescription medicines are derived from or modelled on natural
substances. The health and diversity of ecosystems can have a
significant effect on the overall stability of nearby communities.
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1. Environmental Value:
The environmental value of biodiversity can be found by

examining each ecosystem process and identifying the ecosystem
services that result. For instance, in wetlands the vegetation
captures water- carried sediment and the soil organisms break
down a range of nutrients and pollutants washed into the area.
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These processes provide the ecosystem service of purifying water.

Wetlands also act as spawning and nursery grounds for some fish
and provide a refuge for animals in times of drought. Some
ecosystem services are easy to overlook until the underlying
process is impaired.
For instance, dry-land salinity has emerged as a problem following

sustained clearance of deep rooted perennial plants over wide
areas. Water tables have raised carrying dissolved salts which then
concentrate in the soil. Forests regulate the amount of carbon
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dioxide in the air by releasing oxygen as a by-product during
photosynthesis, and control rainfall and soil erosion.
2. Social Value:
The social value of biodiversity includes aesthetic, recreational,

cultural and spiritual values. To this can be added health benefits
resulting from recreational and other activities. While traditional
societies which had a small population and required less resources
had preserved their biodiversity as a life supporting resource,
modern man has rapidly depleted it even to the extent of leading to
the irrecoverable loss due to extinction of several species.
Thus apart from the local use or sale of products of biodiversity

there is the social aspect in which more and more resources are
used by affluent societies. The biodiversity has to a great extent
been preserved by traditional societies that valued it as a resource
and appreciated that its depletion would be a great loss to their
society.
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There can be marked differences in landscape and biodiversity

preferences according to age, socioeconomic factors and cultural
influences. The lifestyle of the ancient people was closely
interwoven with their surroundings.
The life of the indigenous people in many parts of the world still
revolves around the forests and environment, even in these
modern times, many of them still live in the forests and meet their
daily requirements from their surroundings.
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The biodiversity in different parts of the world has been largely
preserved by the traditional societies. Since the indigenous people
always protect the forests for their own benefit. In ancient times,
especially in India, the environment in totally i.e., flora, fauna, etc.,
were held in high esteem.
Trees like Peepal, Banyan and Tulsi are still worshipped. Ladies
offering water to Tulsi daily is considered good and there are
festivals when ladies tie sacred threads around Peepal and Banyan
trees and pray for the welfare of their families.
3. Ecosystem Services:
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These services also support human needs and activities such as

intensely managed production ecosystems.
Ecosystem service includes:
a. The production of oxygen by land based plants and marine

algae;
b. The maintenance of fresh water quality by vegetation slowing

run off, trapping sediment and removing nutrients and by soil
organisms breaking down pollutants;
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c. The production and maintenance of fertile soil as a result of

many interacting processes;
d. The provision of foods such as fish, pastures for cattle and sheep,
timber, fire wood and harvested wildlife such as kangaroos and Privacy - Terms
native cut flowers;
e. The provision of native species and genes used in industry

research and development, for instance, in traditional breeding
and biotechnology applications in agriculture, forestry,
horticulture, mariculture, pharmacy, chemicals production and
bioremediation;
f. Pollination of agricultural crops, forest trees and native flowering

plants by native insects, birds and other creatures;
g. Pest control in agricultural land by beneficial native predators;
h. Flood mitigation by vegetation slowing run off and trapping

sediment;
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i. Breakdown of pollutants by micro-organisms in soil and aquatic

ecosystems and sequestration of heavy metals in marine and fresh
water sediments;
j. Greenhouse gas reduction by, for instance, sequestering

atmospheric carbon in wood and marine calcium carbonate
deposits;
k. Maintenance of habitats for native plants and animals; and
l. Maintenance of habitats that are attractive to humans for

recreation, tourism and cultural activities and that has spiritual
importance.
4. Economic Value: Privacy - Terms

The economic potential of biodiversity is immense in terms of food,
fodder, medicinal, ethical and social values. Biodiversity forms the
major resource for different industries, which govern the world
economy.
The salient features regarding the economical potential of

biodiversity are given below:
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1. The major fuel sources of the world including wood and fossil
fuels have their origin due to biodiversity.
2. It is the source of food for all animals and humans.
3. Many important chemicals have their origin from the diverse

flora and fauna, used in various industries.
4. Diverse group of animals are used for medical research during

the testing of new drugs.
5. Consumptive use value:
This is related to natural products that are used directly for food,
fodder, timber, fuel wood etc. Humans use at least 40,000 species of
plants and animals on a daily basis. Many people around the world
still depend on wild species for most of their needs like food,
shelter and clothing. The tribal people are completely dependent
on the forests for their daily needs.
6. Productive Use Value:
This is assigned to products that are commercially harvested and

marketed. Almost all the present date agricultural crops have Privacy - Terms
originated from wild varieties. The biotechnologists continuously
use the wild species of plants for developing new, better yielding
and disease resistant varieties. Biodiversity represents the original
stock from which new varieties are being developed.
7. Ethical and Moral Value:

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It is based on the principle of ‘live and let others live’. Ethical

values related to biodiversity conservation are based on the
importance of protecting all forms of life. All forms of life have the
right to exist on earth. Man is only a small part of the Earth’s great
family of species.
Don’t plants and animals have an equal right to live and exist on
our planet which is like an inhabited spaceship? Morality and
ethics teach us to preserve all forms of life and not to harm any
organism unnecessarily.
Some people take pleasure in the hunting of animals. People also

sometimes degrade and pollute the environment by their unethical
actions. Through proper education and awareness, the people’s
conscience against such practices must be raised.
8. Aesthetic Value:
The beauty of our planet is because of biodiversity, which

otherwise would have resembled other barren planets dotted
around the universe. Biological diversity adds to the quality of life
and provides some of the most beautiful aspects of our existence.
Biodiversity is responsible for the beauty of a landscape.
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People go far off places to enjoy the natural surroundings and
wildlife. This type of tourism is referred to as eco-tourism, which
has now become a major source of income in many countries. In
many societies, the diversity of flora and fauna has become a part
of the traditions and culture of the region and has added to the
aesthetic values of the place.
Related Articles:
1. 3 Major Components of Biodiversity | Biodiversity
2. 6 Main Threats to Biodiversity – Explained!
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 Your Article Library

8 Main Values of Biodiversity –

Some of the major values of biodiversity are as follows: 1.

Biodiversity is the most precious gift of nature mankind is blessed

The role of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services is twofold.

Firstly, biodiversity is directly used as a source for food, fibre, fuel

For example, vegetation cover protects the soil from erosion by

Other facts of human well-being, such as health and economic and

These include potential sources of new foods, medicines, and

In the field of medicine alone, approximately 50% of current

The environmental value of biodiversity can be found by

These processes provide the ecosystem service of purifying water.

For instance, dry-land salinity has emerged as a problem following

The social value of biodiversity includes aesthetic, recreational,

Thus apart from the local use or sale of products of biodiversity

There can be marked differences in landscape and biodiversity

These services also support human needs and activities such as

Ecosystem service includes:

a. The production of oxygen by land based plants and marine

b. The maintenance of fresh water quality by vegetation slowing

c. The production and maintenance of fertile soil as a result of

e. The provision of native species and genes used in industry

f. Pollination of agricultural crops, forest trees and native flowering

g. Pest control in agricultural land by beneficial native predators;

h. Flood mitigation by vegetation slowing run off and trapping

i. Breakdown of pollutants by micro-organisms in soil and aquatic

j. Greenhouse gas reduction by, for instance, sequestering

k. Maintenance of habitats for native plants and animals; and

l. Maintenance of habitats that are attractive to humans for

4. Economic Value: Privacy - Terms

The salient features regarding the economical potential of

2. It is the source of food for all animals and humans.

3. Many important chemicals have their origin from the diverse

4. Diverse group of animals are used for medical research during

5. Consumptive use value:

6. Productive Use Value:

This is assigned to products that are commercially harvested and

7. Ethical and Moral Value:

It is based on the principle of ‘live and let others live’. Ethical

Some people take pleasure in the hunting of animals. People also

The beauty of our planet is because of biodiversity, which

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