UNIT 2:

IMPORTANCE
OF
BIODIVERSITY

3 categories:
Direct Economic value
Indirect economic value
Aesthetic value

Direct economic value

Used for food, clothing, shelter,
medicine and energy

Indirect economic value

Benefits produced by
species even without
using them
Example: species
maintain chemical
quality of natural
water bodies
preventing soil
erosion and floods.

Aesthetic value
Considered
valuable in
keeping the
environment
health and simply
for their beauty

CONSERVING
BIODIVERSITY
2 methods

Onsite conservation
Maintenance of
wildlife in their natural
habitat

Offsite conservation
Maintenance in controlled conditions