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= Economics of biodiversity =
= Economics of biodiversity =
[[Biodiversity]] plays an essential role in the global economy. <ref name=":0">Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), Ecosystems and human well-being: synthesis, Island Press, Washington, DC, 2005, p. 137.</ref> This includes its role in providing [[Ecosystem service|ecosystem services]] - the benefits that humans get from ecosystems. Biodiversity plays a major role in the productivity and functioning of ecosystems, affects their ability to provide ecosystem services.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tilman |first=David |last2=Isbell |first2=Forest |last3=Cowles |first3=Jane M. |date=2014-11-23 |title=Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning |url=https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091917 |journal=Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics |language=en |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=471–493 |doi=10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091917 |issn=1543-592X}}</ref> For example, biodiversity is a source of [[food]], [[medication]], and [[Material|materials]] used in industry. Recreation and tourism are also examples of human economic activities that rely on these benefits. In 2018, the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] [[Living Planet Report]] estimated that ecosystem services contributed US$125 trillion a year to the global economy.<ref>WWF. 2018. Living Planet Report - 2018: Aiming Higher. Grooten, M. and Almond, R.E.A.(Eds). WWF, Gland, Switzerland.</ref>
[[Biodiversity]] plays an essential role in the global economy. <ref name=":0">Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), Ecosystems and human well-being: synthesis, Island Press, Washington, DC, 2005, p. 137.</ref> This includes its role in providing [[Ecosystem service|ecosystem services]] - the benefits that humans get from ecosystems. Biodiversity plays a major role in the productivity and functioning of ecosystems, affecting their ability to provide ecosystem services.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tilman |first=David |last2=Isbell |first2=Forest |last3=Cowles |first3=Jane M. |date=2014-11-23 |title=Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning |url=https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091917 |journal=Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics |language=en |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=471–493 |doi=10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091917 |issn=1543-592X}}</ref> For example, biodiversity is a source of [[food]], [[medication]], and [[Material|materials]] used in industry. Recreation and tourism are also examples of human economic activities that rely on these benefits. In 2018, the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] [[Living Planet Report]] estimated that ecosystem services contributed US$125 trillion a year to the global economy.<ref>WWF. 2018. Living Planet Report - 2018: Aiming Higher. Grooten, M. and Almond, R.E.A.(Eds). WWF, Gland, Switzerland.</ref>


The benefits of biodiversity are often evaluated in an anthropocentric way and the inherent value of biodiversity, outside of its benefits to humanity, has been debated by economists.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gómez-Baggethun |first=Erik |last2=de Groot |first2=Rudolf |last3=Lomas |first3=Pedro L. |last4=Montes |first4=Carlos |date=2009-12-13 |title=The history of ecosystem services in economic theory and practice: From early notions to markets and payment schemes |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S092180090900456X |journal=Ecological Economics |language=en |volume=69 |issue=6 |pages=1209–1218 |doi=10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.11.007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seddon |first=Nathalie |last2=Mace |first2=Georgina M. |last3=Naeem |first3=Shahid |last4=Tobias |first4=Joseph A. |last5=Pigot |first5=Alex L. |last6=Cavanagh |first6=Rachel |last7=Mouillot |first7=David |last8=Vause |first8=James |last9=Walpole |first9=Matt |date=2016-11-01 |title=Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: prospects and policy |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2016.2094 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |language=en |volume=283 |issue=1844 |pages=20162094 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2016.2094 |issn=0962-8452 |pmc=PMC5204156 |pmid=27928040}}</ref> Despite these benefits, economic activities often result in harm to biodiversity, such as through deforestation.<ref name=":0" />
The benefits of biodiversity are often evaluated in an anthropocentric way by economists, some of whom have debated the inherent value of biodiversity, outside of its benefits to humanity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gómez-Baggethun |first=Erik |last2=de Groot |first2=Rudolf |last3=Lomas |first3=Pedro L. |last4=Montes |first4=Carlos |date=2009-12-13 |title=The history of ecosystem services in economic theory and practice: From early notions to markets and payment schemes |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S092180090900456X |journal=Ecological Economics |language=en |volume=69 |issue=6 |pages=1209–1218 |doi=10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.11.007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seddon |first=Nathalie |last2=Mace |first2=Georgina M. |last3=Naeem |first3=Shahid |last4=Tobias |first4=Joseph A. |last5=Pigot |first5=Alex L. |last6=Cavanagh |first6=Rachel |last7=Mouillot |first7=David |last8=Vause |first8=James |last9=Walpole |first9=Matt |date=2016-11-01 |title=Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: prospects and policy |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2016.2094 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |language=en |volume=283 |issue=1844 |pages=20162094 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2016.2094 |issn=0962-8452 |pmc=PMC5204156 |pmid=27928040}}</ref>


Economic activities often result in harm to biodiversity, such as through over-exploitation and deforestation.<ref name=":0" />
== Food ==
{{Main|Biodiversity and food}}Despite this, the global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-03 |title=Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/our-global-food-system-primary-driver-biodiversity-loss |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}}</ref>


== Agriculture ==
Soil biodiversity plays an essential role in food production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=El Mujtar |first=V. |last2=Muñoz |first2=N. |last3=Prack Mc Cormick |first3=B. |last4=Pulleman |first4=M. |last5=Tittonell |first5=P. |date=2019-01-23 |title=Role and management of soil biodiversity for food security and nutrition; where do we stand? |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211912418300300 |journal=Global Food Security |language=en |volume=20 |pages=132–144 |doi=10.1016/j.gfs.2019.01.007}}</ref>
{{Main|Biodiversity and food|Agricultural biodiversity}}

Biodiversity plays an essential economic role in agriculture as the origin of all crops and domesticated livestock, contributing both to food security and to livelihoods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agricultural biodiversity {{!}} FAIRR |url=https://www.fairr.org/resources/knowledge-hub/key-terms/agricultural-biodiversity |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=www.fairr.org |language=en}}</ref> [[Agricultural biodiversity]] (agrobiodiversity) refers to all the components of biodiversity that are relevant to food and agriculture, and that make up agricultural ecosystems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unit |first=Biosafety |date=2008-04-23 |title=What is Agricultural Biodiversity? |url=https://www.cbd.int/agro/whatis.shtml |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=www.cbd.int |language=en}}</ref> This biodiversity provides income through food and raw materials for sale, as well as by supporting [[Ecosystem service|ecosystem services]] that are essential for agricultural productivity, including [[pollination]], [[pest control]], [[Nutrient cycle|nutrient cycling]], and climate regulation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unit |first=Biosafety |date=2008-04-25 |title=Why is it Important? |url=https://www.cbd.int/agro/Importance.shtml |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=www.cbd.int |language=en}}</ref> Estimating the [[Value (economics)|monetary value]] of biodiversity (and the costs of its continued [[Biodiversity loss|loss]]) in agriculture and through the use of wild species for food is challenging.

Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, providing [[genetic resources]] for food and agriculture. The term genetic resources refers to "genetic material of actual or potential value", according to the Convention on Biological Diversity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=genetic resource {{!}} InforMEA |url=https://www.informea.org/en/terms/genetic-resource |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=www.informea.org}}</ref> These resources are important as the raw material for evolution by natural and artificial selection to enable the development of new [[Cultivar|cultivars]] with higher yields, greater tolerance to abiotic stresses, and greater resistance to pests and diseases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Swarup |first=Shilpa |last2=Cargill |first2=Edward J. |last3=Crosby |first3=Kate |last4=Flagel |first4=Lex |last5=Kniskern |first5=Joel |last6=Glenn |first6=Kevin C. |date=2021-10-11 |title=Genetic diversity is indispensable for plant breeding to improve crops |url=https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/csc2.20377 |journal=Crop Science |language=en |volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=839–852 |doi=10.1002/csc2.20377 |issn=0011-183X}}</ref> They may also be used in [[biotechnology]], such as for genetic engineering. Estimating the economic value of conserving these resources is difficult<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ahtiainen |first=Heini |last2=Pouta |first2=Eija |date=2011-07-14 |title=The value of genetic resources in agriculture: a meta-analysis assessing existing knowledge and future research needs |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21513732.2011.593557 |journal=International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=27–38 |doi=10.1080/21513732.2011.593557 |issn=2151-3732}}</ref> and their global value is largely unquantified.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearce |first=David |last2=Moran |first2=Dominic |date=1994 |title=THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY IUCN — THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION |url=https://www.cbd.int/financial/values/g-economicvalue-iucn.pdf |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=CBD International}}</ref>

Despite the wealth of [[global biodiversity]], it was estimated that only 40 species of mammals and birds have been domesticated for agriculture and less than 200 plant species are produced on a significant scale globally. This compares to a total of approximately 6,400 mammal species, 11,000 avian species, and 391,000 plant species (out of which 6,000 have been cultivated for food and agriculture).

=== Biological pest control ===
[[File:Ladybird_aphid_7462.jpg|right|thumb|A [[ladybird]] larva eating [[Aphid|aphids]]]]
{{Main|Biological pest control}}

An important ecosystem function associated with biodiversity is pest control.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ives |first1=A.R. |last2=Klug |first2=J.L. |last3=Gross |first3=K. |date=2000 |title=Stability and species richness in complex communities |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2000.00144.x |journal=Ecology Letters |language=en |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=399–411 |bibcode=2000EcolL...3..399I |doi=10.1046/j.1461-0248.2000.00144.x |issn=1461-023X}}</ref> Control species can suppress pest populations and reduce loss of crop yields without the negative impacts of chemical [[Pesticide|pesticides]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bianchi |first1=F.J.J.A |last2=Booij |first2=C.J.H |last3=Tscharntke |first3=T |date=2006-07-22 |title=Sustainable pest regulation in agricultural landscapes: a review on landscape composition, biodiversity and natural pest control |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |language=en |volume=273 |issue=1595 |pages=1715–1727 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2006.3530 |issn=0962-8452 |pmc=1634792 |pmid=16790403}}</ref> This has economic benefits and maintaining natural pest control is important to humanity's ability to grow crops.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dainese |first1=Matteo |last2=Martin |first2=Emily A. |last3=Aizen |first3=Marcelo A. |last4=Albrecht |first4=Matthias |last5=Bartomeus |first5=Ignasi |last6=Bommarco |first6=Riccardo |last7=Carvalheiro |first7=Luisa G. |last8=Chaplin-Kramer |first8=Rebecca |last9=Gagic |first9=Vesna |last10=Garibaldi |first10=Lucas A. |last11=Ghazoul |first11=Jaboury |last12=Grab |first12=Heather |last13=Jonsson |first13=Mattias |last14=Karp |first14=Daniel S. |last15=Kennedy |first15=Christina M. |date=2019-10-11 |title=A global synthesis reveals biodiversity-mediated benefits for crop production |journal=Science Advances |language=en |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=eaax0121 |bibcode=2019SciA....5..121D |doi=10.1126/sciadv.aax0121 |issn=2375-2548 |pmc=6795509 |pmid=31663019}}</ref> It can also be applied within horticulture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biological control in the home garden / RHS Gardening |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/prevention-protection/biological-control-garden |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.rhs.org.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Biological pest control can reduce economic losses incurred as a result of pests, disease vectors, and invasive species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hanley |first1=Nick |last2=Roberts |first2=Michaela |date=2019 |editor-last=Chan |editor-first=Kai |title=The economic benefits of invasive species management |url=https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.31 |journal=People and Nature |language=en |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=124–137 |bibcode=2019PeoNa...1..124H |doi=10.1002/pan3.31 |issn=2575-8314}}</ref> However, its use can have unintended effects where control species are introduced without adequate research.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Readfearn |first=Graham |date=2019-01-27 |title=Cane toads wouldn't have made it: inside CSIRO's biocontrol program |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/28/cane-toads-wouldnt-have-made-it-inside-csiros-biocontrol-program |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> For example, the [[cane toad]] was introduced to [[Queensland]], [[Australia]] in 1935 to control [[Dermolepida albohirtum|cane beetles]] that attack [[sugarcane]] roots but are now regarded as an [[Invasive species|invasive]] species through their damaging impacts on native species.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shine |first=Richard |date=2010 |title=The Ecological Impact of Invasive Cane Toads ( Bufo Marinus ) in Australia |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/655116 |journal=The Quarterly Review of Biology |language=en |volume=85 |issue=3 |pages=253–291 |doi=10.1086/655116 |issn=0033-5770 |pmid=20919631}}</ref>

=== Horticulture ===
[[Horticulture]] refers to the small-scale cultivation of plants, such as for use in [[gardening]]. These plants may be used for food, medicine, or aesthetic and ornamental purposes.<ref>{{Citation |last=Kumar |first=Ashwani |title=Role of Horticulture in Biodiversity Conservation |date=2014 |work=Sustainable Horticultural Systems |volume=2 |pages=143–155 |editor-last=Nandwani |editor-first=Dilip |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_7 |access-date=2024-07-19 |series=Sustainable Development and Biodiversity |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_7 |isbn=978-3-319-06903-6}}</ref> Horticultural plant biodiversity is therefore important to the economy and encompasses both domesticated and wild [[species]], [[Cultivar|cultivars]], [[Genotype|genotypes]], and [[Allele|alleles]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ORCID |url=https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7848-5824 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=orcid.org}}</ref> In the UK, growth of ornamental plants was worth £1.7 billion in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horticulture statistics - 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2023 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

Originally, plants for horticultural use were sourced from wild populations, but now tend to come from nurseries, botanical gardens, and private collections.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity |date=2010 |title=Uses of genetic resources |url=https://www.cbd.int/abs/infokit/factsheet-uses-en.pdf |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=CBD International}}</ref>


== Medicine ==
== Medicine ==
{{Main|Biodiversity and drugs}}
{{Main|Biodiversity and drugs}}Biodiversity plays a vital role in the maintenance of human [[health]] through the use of plants, animals, and fungi within [[medicine]]. This has significant economic implications, including through the sale of naturally-derived medicines in the [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical industry.]]
Biodiversity plays a vital role in the maintenance of human [[health]] through the use of plants, animals, and fungi within [[medicine]]. This has significant economic implications, including through the sale of naturally-derived medicines in the [[Pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceutical industry.]]


== Industry ==
== Industry ==
Biodiversity is important to industries outside of agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
{{See|Ecosystem service|}}

For example, [[Fiber|fibers]] for [[Cloth|clothing]], [[wood]] for shelter and warmth. Biodiversity may be a source of [[energy]] (such as [[biomass]]). Other industrial products are [[Vegetable oil|oils]], [[Lubricant|lubricants]], [[Perfume|perfumes]], [[Fragrance|fragrances]], [[Dye|dyes]], [[paper]], [[Wax|waxes]], [[rubber]], [[Latex|latexes]], [[Resin|resins]], [[Poison|poisons]], and [[Cork (material)|cork]], which can all be derived from various plant species. Supplies from animal origin include [[wool]], [[silk]], [[fur]], [[leather]], [[Lubricant|lubricants]], and waxes.

Animals may also be used as a mode of [[transport]].


Biological material can provide models for many industrial materials and structures. For example, the inspiration for the infrared sensor came from the thermosensitive pit organ of [[rattlesnake]]. The modelling is considered as [[Biomimicry]]
== Horticulture ==
[[Horticulture]] refers to the small-scale cultivation of plants, such as for use in [[gardening]] or [[landscaping]]. These plants may be used for food, medicine, or aesthetic and ornamental purposes.<ref>{{Citation |last=Kumar |first=Ashwani |title=Role of Horticulture in Biodiversity Conservation |date=2014 |work=Sustainable Horticultural Systems |volume=2 |pages=143–155 |editor-last=Nandwani |editor-first=Dilip |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_7 |access-date=2024-07-19 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-06904-3_7 |isbn=978-3-319-06903-6}}</ref> Horticultural plant biodiversity is important to the economy and examples include fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. For example, in the UK, growth of ornamental plants was worth £1.7 billion in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horticulture statistics - 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/latest-horticulture-statistics/horticulture-statistics-2023 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>


== Recreation and tourism ==
== Recreation and tourism ==
Line 32: Line 55:
{{See|Biodiversity loss}}
{{See|Biodiversity loss}}


Despite the role of biodiversity in underpinning the economy, economic activities often cause harm to biodiversity. For example, through over-exploitation of species, [[Land change science|land-use change]], and agriculture.
Despite the role of biodiversity in underpinning the economy, economic activities often cause harm to biodiversity. For example, through [[Overexploitation|over-exploitation]], [[Land change science|land-use change]], [[Habitat destruction|habitat loss]], and [[pollution]].


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 14:20, 22 July 2024

Economics of biodiversity

Biodiversity plays an essential role in the global economy. [1] This includes its role in providing ecosystem services - the benefits that humans get from ecosystems. Biodiversity plays a major role in the productivity and functioning of ecosystems, affecting their ability to provide ecosystem services.[2] For example, biodiversity is a source of food, medication, and materials used in industry. Recreation and tourism are also examples of human economic activities that rely on these benefits. In 2018, the WWF Living Planet Report estimated that ecosystem services contributed US$125 trillion a year to the global economy.[3]

The benefits of biodiversity are often evaluated in an anthropocentric way by economists, some of whom have debated the inherent value of biodiversity, outside of its benefits to humanity.[4][5]

Economic activities often result in harm to biodiversity, such as through over-exploitation and deforestation.[1]

Agriculture

Biodiversity plays an essential economic role in agriculture as the origin of all crops and domesticated livestock, contributing both to food security and to livelihoods.[6] Agricultural biodiversity (agrobiodiversity) refers to all the components of biodiversity that are relevant to food and agriculture, and that make up agricultural ecosystems.[7] This biodiversity provides income through food and raw materials for sale, as well as by supporting ecosystem services that are essential for agricultural productivity, including pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.[8] Estimating the monetary value of biodiversity (and the costs of its continued loss) in agriculture and through the use of wild species for food is challenging.

Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, providing genetic resources for food and agriculture. The term genetic resources refers to "genetic material of actual or potential value", according to the Convention on Biological Diversity.[9] These resources are important as the raw material for evolution by natural and artificial selection to enable the development of new cultivars with higher yields, greater tolerance to abiotic stresses, and greater resistance to pests and diseases.[10] They may also be used in biotechnology, such as for genetic engineering. Estimating the economic value of conserving these resources is difficult[11] and their global value is largely unquantified.[12]

Despite the wealth of global biodiversity, it was estimated that only 40 species of mammals and birds have been domesticated for agriculture and less than 200 plant species are produced on a significant scale globally. This compares to a total of approximately 6,400 mammal species, 11,000 avian species, and 391,000 plant species (out of which 6,000 have been cultivated for food and agriculture).

Biological pest control

A ladybird larva eating aphids

An important ecosystem function associated with biodiversity is pest control.[13] Control species can suppress pest populations and reduce loss of crop yields without the negative impacts of chemical pesticides.[14] This has economic benefits and maintaining natural pest control is important to humanity's ability to grow crops.[15] It can also be applied within horticulture.[16]

Biological pest control can reduce economic losses incurred as a result of pests, disease vectors, and invasive species.[17] However, its use can have unintended effects where control species are introduced without adequate research.[18] For example, the cane toad was introduced to Queensland, Australia in 1935 to control cane beetles that attack sugarcane roots but are now regarded as an invasive species through their damaging impacts on native species.[18][19]

Horticulture

Horticulture refers to the small-scale cultivation of plants, such as for use in gardening. These plants may be used for food, medicine, or aesthetic and ornamental purposes.[20] Horticultural plant biodiversity is therefore important to the economy and encompasses both domesticated and wild species, cultivars, genotypes, and alleles.[21] In the UK, growth of ornamental plants was worth £1.7 billion in 2023.[22]

Originally, plants for horticultural use were sourced from wild populations, but now tend to come from nurseries, botanical gardens, and private collections.[23]

Medicine

Biodiversity plays a vital role in the maintenance of human health through the use of plants, animals, and fungi within medicine. This has significant economic implications, including through the sale of naturally-derived medicines in the pharmaceutical industry.

Industry

Biodiversity is important to industries outside of agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

For example, fibers for clothing, wood for shelter and warmth. Biodiversity may be a source of energy (such as biomass). Other industrial products are oils, lubricants, perfumes, fragrances, dyes, paper, waxes, rubber, latexes, resins, poisons, and cork, which can all be derived from various plant species. Supplies from animal origin include wool, silk, fur, leather, lubricants, and waxes.

Animals may also be used as a mode of transport.

Biological material can provide models for many industrial materials and structures. For example, the inspiration for the infrared sensor came from the thermosensitive pit organ of rattlesnake. The modelling is considered as Biomimicry

Recreation and tourism

Through cultural ecosystem services, biodiversity provides economic benefits in the form of recreation and tourism, while also benefitting human wellbeing.[24][25] Biodiversity influences the potential of ecosystems to provide recreational services.[26] This includes outdoor recreation, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.

Another form of recreation supported by biodiversity is tourism. Biodiversity is "at the heart of what drives the tourism industry", according to the United Nations Environment Programme.[27] The beauty of tourist destinations or the species they support can attract tourists to visit certain areas.[28] For example, destinations like rainforests, beaches, national parks, and nature reserves are attractive to tourists. The revenue generated through tourism is vital to many economies worldwide.[29]

Nature-based tourism, such as to visit protected areas, also has an important economic impact.[30] For example, ecotourism, where the motivation of tourists is to observe and appreciate nature and the cultures in natural areas, while supporting their maintenance.[31] In 2023, the global ecotourism market was estimated to be worth US$216.49 billion.[32]

Despite the economic benefits from biodiversity through tourism, the tourism industry has negative impacts on biodiversity.[28] For example, through habitat destruction and pollution. As a result, sustainable tourism emerged with the aim of reducing the negative impacts of tourism on the environment.

Impact of economic activity on biodiversity

Despite the role of biodiversity in underpinning the economy, economic activities often cause harm to biodiversity. For example, through over-exploitation, land-use change, habitat loss, and pollution.

References

  1. ^ a b Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), Ecosystems and human well-being: synthesis, Island Press, Washington, DC, 2005, p. 137.
  2. ^ Tilman, David; Isbell, Forest; Cowles, Jane M. (2014-11-23). "Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 45 (1): 471–493. doi:10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-120213-091917. ISSN 1543-592X.
  3. ^ WWF. 2018. Living Planet Report - 2018: Aiming Higher. Grooten, M. and Almond, R.E.A.(Eds). WWF, Gland, Switzerland.
  4. ^ Gómez-Baggethun, Erik; de Groot, Rudolf; Lomas, Pedro L.; Montes, Carlos (2009-12-13). "The history of ecosystem services in economic theory and practice: From early notions to markets and payment schemes". Ecological Economics. 69 (6): 1209–1218. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2009.11.007.
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