What is Biodiversity? Definition: the number and variety of living organisms in an area
34 hotspots identified by ecologists as important and endangered centers of biodiversity. Figure 10-26
Why is Biodiversity Important?
1) Aesthetics -Visually pleasing, beautiful, pretty
2) Economic Money!!
-Accounts for 6% of world GDP -growing 5% per year Ex. Ecotourism -2014: Yellowstone National Park had a record 3,513,486 visitors
3) Agriculture Various plants for human needs
4) Ecosystems Having biodiversity maintains the ecosystems. Lose a part, you may lose the ecosystem.
5) Medicine Many of the medicines we use today are the result of naturally occurring plants and bacteria.