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Introduction to biodiversity |
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What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity means the variety of life. It includes all plants and animals, their habitats and the factors that link them to each other and their surroundings. It is not restricted to rare and threatened species and habitats but includes the whole of the natural world from the commonplace to the critically endangered.
Why should biodiversity be protected?
We all have a part to play in safeguarding the Earth's biodiversity. Therefore action needs to be taken, at both a local and global level, before our biodiversity disappears for good.
The benefits of biodiversity are endless, but include:
- Learning about and enjoying the wildlife of Manchester. This makes an important contribution to our quality of life, health and spiritual well being
- Plants, animals and habitats enrich our everyday lives as they produce the necessary ingredients for all life to exist
- Without conserving biodiversity, we will pass to our successors a planet that is markedly poorer than the one we were privileged to inherit. Therefore we have a duty and a role of play to ensure that the earth and its environment are protected for generations to come
- Conserving biodiversity creates new employment from park wardens to habitat surveyors
- Increased biodiversity can raise environmental awareness in local communities, as well as improving environmental credentials of public and private sector organisations
- There are ethical grounds for conservation, as many people believe that every species is of value in its own right
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