England's natural environment matters to all of us, the beauty of our landscapes and the wildlife inspire and enrich our lives, and are an important part of our national identity. Biodiversity also provides us with many of the things that help to sustain our lives. Protecting our species and their habitats improves our quality and standard of living. Biodiversity is also the source of many ecosystem goods, such as food and genetic resources, upsetting the "balance of nature" can have untold effects on the supply of our ecosystem services.
Products obtained from ecosystems:
- diverse food products
- timber and fuel
- textiles
- medicinal products
- fresh water
Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes:
- regulate our climate
- control floods
- pollinate crops
- purify our water
- absorbs CO2 gases
- stops erosion
Non-material benefits obtained from ecosystems:
- beautiful landscapes
- a sense of place
- cultural heritage
- peace and tranquility
- a healthy environment
- recreation and tourism
From this it is quite clear that we need to conserve biodiversity and the species within for a whole variety of reasons: ethically, emotionally, environmentally and economically. It is the foundation of our society and the basis of our economic success and wellbeing.
Our survival depends on the ecological systems that also support other life, if they were to collapse or radically change, our existence would be threatened. Copious amounts of pharmaceuticals, soaps, starches, rubber, oils, dyes and fabrics are derived from wild plant products and there are many more to yet be discovered, not to forget we use the timber that grows and harvest the fish in the sea. Our lifestyles and economy depends upon biodiversity.
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