Comments on: Why is biodiversity important to you?

By: Rebecca Nesbit

Rebecca Nesbit — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 09:08:35 +0000

The debate continues in a new form – should we save the panda? I’d really appreciate comments on my work blog http://societyofbiologyblog.org/should-we-save-the-panda/. We’re holding a debate at the Linnean Society – the more the merrier!

By: Conservation priorities: ethical questions « The Birds, the Bees and Feeding the World

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:36:45 +0000

[...] to everyone who answered my Why is biodiversity important questions and added comments underneath. I often find myself in situations where I consider [...]

By: Eman

Eman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:13:54 +0000

Thankssssssss much for your important discussion, my study in master is about the impact of anthropogenic activities on insect biodiversity, already biodiversity is important and functional tool for balance any ecosystem and we should think how we can keep peace with it and also do loss our activities

By: Richard Barker

Richard Barker — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:11:40 +0000

I would save the beetle not the primate as it is on a lower trophic level so more organisms depend on it, [perhaps?]. However, i would prefer a primate as a pet…

On biodiversity topic earlier or more importantly the lack of it in our agro-ecosystems i am concerned. In the future the application of inter-cropping and agro-forestry systems should be pursued to promote inter-species biodiversity and associated benefits such as push-pull in developing labour rich countries. Along side this the use of GM technology can promote intra-species biodiversity in the monocultures (Rice, wheat, maize, soya, sugar cane) that support the developed world in order to try and prevent a collapse of the food production system we depend on; while simultaneously increasing food and energy security while reducing unsustainable in organic inputs.

By: Rebecca Nesbit

Rebecca Nesbit — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:20:03 +0000

I also had the question:

If you could choose to save a beetle or a primate which would you choose and why?

By: Rebecca Nesbit

Rebecca Nesbit — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:30:24 +0000

Thanks for your interesting comments.

I agree Biodiversity is important for functioning ecosystems, even though we are a long way from understanding this. And humans need functioning ecosystems – that’s why I’m trying to protect biodiversity.

Although I ticked no to saving plants because I don’t think they have value if noone is there to enjoy them, If these were real rather than hypothetical questions I would have said yes in case it helped evolution of other sentient beings.

Sounds like a good book Trish. Maybe we should write the other one you mentioned?

I think the human race will end with riots and war and famine and disease… But not just yet I hope

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:41:25 +0000

I said yes to preserving plants if we were about to go extinct, because that’s what I’d ideally like to do. Having actually thought about it, that’s very unlikely because we’d all be rioting and the world would be too chaotic for any kind of organisation. I’m also guessing there would be zombies.

By: Trish Wells

Trish Wells — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:57:27 +0000

There is a recent book called ‘Do we need the Panda?’ that talk about biodiversity for healthy ecosystems. It’s a well researched and fact filled book but i think it doesn’t address the importance of bioiversity in a changing environment (I haven’t read the last chapter yet though). I’m trying to encourage my supervisor to write a book about this.

By: Trish Wells

Trish Wells — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:52:17 +0000

I think biodiversity is important for functionng ecosystems. There is much debate about this at the moment because this is very difficult to study. Long term experiments are difficult to run and untangling the effects of biodiversity from other factors associated with bioiversity loss, for example habitat destruction, species composition, climate change, is difficult. In addition, defining and measuring ‘ecosystem functioning’ is just a huge and messy goal. Some people believe that ecosystems will function (rain will continue to fall in ecosystms, herbivores with continue to be kept at low numbers…..) with only a few species, the A team, and other species are extras that are expendable. I think biodiversity is important because change happens: the most importat species (for a given ecosystem function) in one situation may fall flat in another situation where another speces may be more important. This is called the ‘insurance hypothesis’. Biodivesity doesn’t always make for a more stable ecosystem, this i lucky for us as species are being lost, but it is quite annoying.

By: The latest from around the Gam October 14, 2011 « The Gam

The latest from around the Gam October 14, 2011 « The Gam — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:43:56 +0000

[...] of topics and issues. What’s new at the Gam?An’ oh that blowfish blow! October 14, 2011Why is biodiversity important to you? October 12, 2011Spectrum of Life October 11, 2011The Curse of Gold: Dimensions of Injustice in [...]