Food and drink
Biodiversity provides food for humans. About 80 per cent of our food supply
comes from just 20 kinds of plant. Although many kinds of animal are
utilised as food, again most consumption is focused on a few species.
There is vast untapped potential for increasing the range of food products
suitable for human consumption. |
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Medicines
A significant proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from
biological sources. However, only a small proportion of the total diversity
of plants has been thoroughly investigated for potential sources of new drugs. |
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Industrial materials
A wide range of industrial materials are derived directly from biological
resources. These include building materials, fibres, dyes, resins, gums,
adhesives, rubber and oil. There is enormous potential for further research
into sustainably utilising materials from a wider diversity of organisms. |
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Ecological services
Biodiversity provides many services that we take for granted. It plays a part
in regulating the chemistry of our atmosphere and water supply. It is directly involved
in recycling nutrients and providing fertile soils. Experiments with controlled environments
have shown that we cannot easily build ecosystems to support ourselves. |
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Leisure, cultural and aesthetic value
Many people derive value from biodiversity through leisure activities such
as enjoying a walk in the countryside, birdwatching or natural
history programmes on television.
Biodiversity has inspired musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other
artists. Many cultural groups view themselves as
an integral part of the natural world and show respect for other living
organisms. |
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Future options
By signing the International Convention on Biological Diversity (http://www.biodiv.org) in 1992, the UK
signalled a commitment to "conserve and sustainably use biological diversity for
the benefit of present and future generations." By conserving biological
diversity now, we give future generations the option to value and benefit from
it too. |
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