The planet’s biodiversity is remarkable. No fewer than 1.5
million species have been named and described; at least three
times this and possibly many more await discovery (Novotny et
al. 2002). This biodiversity provides incalculable benefit to
humanity. Most directly it comprises a vast genetic storehouse
of medicines foods and fibers (Myers 1983). Strong evidence
suggests that biodiversity endows stability to ecosystems
(Naeem and Li 1997) sheltering humanity from disease and
natural disasters. Moreover these ecosystems yield services of
substantial economic value (Costanza et al. 1997) althoughmost
of these remain significantly undervalued. Least tangibly but no
less importantly all of the world’s societies and cultures value
species for their own sake over and above any utilitarian purpose
(Wilson 1984).
Publication year
2007
Authors
Langhammer, P.F.; Bakarr, M.I.; Bennun, L.A.; Brooks, T.M.; Clay, R.P.; Darwall, W.; De, Silva.N.; Edgar, G.J.; Eken, G.; Fishpool, L.D.C.; Da, Fonseca.G.A.B.; Foster, M.N.; Knox, D.H.; Matiku, P.; Radford, E.A.; Rodrigues, A.S.L.; Salaman, P.; Sechrest, W.; Tordoff, A.W.
Keywords
Biodiversity, Environmental protection, Protected areas, Conservation (storage)
