Biodiversity and its Importance

What is Biodiversity?

Biological diversity or Biodiversity is the variety of life around us - life of all kinds, from the largest animal to the smallest plant. Its complexity is measured in terms of variations at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

South Africa's biodiversity is of the highest in the world! Our country's geology and topography - its mountains, plateau and coastal plains - result in a wide range of soils and climates, constituting as variety of habitats which support a high number of plant and animal species. There are about 240 species of mammals, more than 700 species of birds, almost 500 species of reptiles and amphibians and 630 species of butterflies, besides countless other animals.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is important for several reasons. It provides economic benefits, protects human health and safety, and offers recreational or aesthetic enjoyment. Every living thing has a place in what we call the "balance of nature", and upsetting that balance can have untold effects, from which, more often than not, we are the losers.

Biodiversity provides "Our Living Bank Balance”:

Biodiversity is a necessity, not a luxury. Although we may not readily appreciate it, biodiversity provides us with many of the things that sustain our lives. Plants, animals and micro-organisms supply humans with a multitude of free ecological services, such as generating soil, controlling pests, balancing atmospheric gasses and many other biological processes. These processes are vital to our existence, and for the health of the planet. For this reason it is essential for our well-being that we protect biodiversity - the variations in species, their lives and their habitats - because biodiversity is necessary for sustaining life and our standard of living.

Biodiversity is important because of its economic significance:

All farm crops and animals are descendants of wild organisms, and they are also a component of biodiversity. Some old crop varieties have more taste or disease resistance, and they may be better suited to future changes in the climate. Fruit crops rely on the many insects that pollinate their flowers. We also take food from the wild, like venison or salmon. Fisherman, with their nets and rods, are simply harvesting the natural biodiversity of the oceans or rivers.

Biodiversity is an important part of sustainable development:

Biodiversity is a measure of sustainable development - growth today that does not deprive the quality of life of future generations. Sustainable development is regarded as a major target for industry and the planning system, and measuring biodiversity is the only way to be sure that this target is being achieved. 

Biodiversity is important as a provider of natural services:

The natural world also provides many services, which we may not always readily recognise.  Spekboom, for example, has an important role in locking up carbon dioxide, one of the gases produced from the burning of fossil fuels that are causing "global warming". The tiny plants that float in the top few metres of the sea also absorb huge amounts of this carbon dioxide, as long as the sea remains healthy. Rain forests and ponds contribute to natural water purification.

Biodiversity is important as a source of natural products:

Although we are able to produce more and more drugs synthetically, we still rely on plants for many of our medicines. Medicines for heart disease, for example, are still produced today from wild foxgloves. Wild plants are constantly being screened in search of cures for cancer, AIDS and other diseases. We can never tell which species might prove useful: chemicals extracted from jellyfish, for example, are now being used by medical researchers studying the development of cancers.

Biodiversity is an important part of our cultural heritage:

Plants and animals are part of our traditions and culture.  The Western Cape's Floral Regions are also key assets for our eco-tourism industry. People come from far afield to admire the colours and patterns of the South African countryside - features which are themselves produced by biodiversity.

Biodiversity is a hidden treasure that enriches all our lives. Few of us will ever see a huge Southern Right Whale in the wild, or even the tiniest chamelon, the leaf chameleon. However, most of us would like to know that we might have a chance to see them one day. And biodiversity is not just about rarities. The turtle dove, the daisy and the garden spider are equally important parts of biodiversity.

Threats to Biodiversity:

The Western Cape’s biological diversity (Biodiversity) and vast natural resources are under threat from global warming, pollution and escalating development.

Particular threats include:

·         population growth

·         pollution (industrial emissions that cause acid rain)

·         global climate change (the greenhouse effect and destruction of the ozone layer)

·         habitat destruction (burning or felling of old-growth forests)

·         overexploitation of natural resources (illegal trade of fauna and flora)

·         invasion by introduced species

These and other human activities cause species to become extinct and thus threaten biodiversity. Once species and habitats are lost they can never be replaced.