Why is biodiversity important?

Convention on Biological Diversity

Biodiversity - The Web of Life
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend.

http://www.biodiv.org/default.shtml
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/publications/guide.asp

Clearing-House Mechanism

Biological diversity is the variety of life on Earth, from the simplest bacterial gene to the vast, complex rainforests of the Amazon. Human beings are an integral part of this diversity, as is the food, medicine, clothing and other biological resources that sustain us.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity to our daily lives and the pressure that human activities are placing on our living world, governments adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 as a framework for action. From the start it was understood that scientific knowledge and technological know-how would have a vital role to play.
However, expertise in managing information and technology varies enormously from country to country. For this reason, the Convention has established a "Clearing-House Mechanism" to ensure that all governments have access to the information and technologies they need for their work on biodiversity.

http://www.biodiv.org/chm/default.aspx

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Biodiversity is Important Because

Biodiversity is important to people because we depend on other species and the ecosystems they create.

• Biodiversity gives us:
• Ecosystem services, such as the fresh air, clean water and productive soils that we need to survive.
• Food, medicines and natural products that keep us healthy.
• Economic benefits that maintain a healthy economy.
• Natural beauty that we enjoy and improves our quality of life.
• A community of life, with which we share planet Earth, and the opportunity to practice thoughtful stewardship.

http://www.biodiversityproject.org/bdimportant.htm
http://www.biodiversityproject.org/index.htm

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biodiversity911

http://www.biodiversity911.org/biodiversity_basics/why_important/WhyImportant.html