LESSON 2:

BIODIVERSITY AND THE

HEALTHY SOCIETY
 2.1 Introduction
1. What is Biodiversity?

-Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area, the variety of

animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our

natural world.

2. Where is it ?

-Biodiversity is essentially everywhere, ubiquitous on Earth’s surface.

3.Why is it important ?

-Each species and organisms work together in ecosystems, to maintain

balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we

need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.

What is an Ecosystem ?
An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants,
animals and other organisms as well as the weather and
landscapes , work/ interact together to form a bubble of life.
Ecosystem contains biotic or living things and abiotic or non-
living things. Biotic factors , include plants, animals and other
living organisms. Abiotic factors include rocks, temperature and
humidity. Ecosystem can be very large and / or small.
 2.2 Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Biodiversity enhances ecosystem productivity where
species no matter how small, all have a role to play.

For Example,

• A number of plant species means greater variety of crops.

• Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all

life forms

• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from

variety of disasters.

And so while we dominate this planet we still need to

preserve the diversity in wildlife.
 2.2 Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Ecosystem services, such as

1. Protection of water resources

2. Soils formation and protection

3. Nutrient storage and recycling

4. Pollution breakdown and absorption

5. Contribution to climate stability

6. Maintenance of ecosystems

7. Recovery from unpredictable events

 2.3 Changes in Biodiversity
Changes to biodiversity can have severe and
unpredictable effects on the health of all living things, including
human beings.

For example, clearing new land bring people closer to

wildlife which might transmit their diseases to humans and
promote spread of diseases from human to animals. It may
reduce populations of predators too that holds disease carrying
organism in check .
 In addition clearing of land may reduce plants and other
organisms and if disasters occurs , no one could withstand and
preserved the ecosystem’s anymore. This might also lead to the
loss of habitat of species that might end up for them to extinct.
 2.8 Health Related Illnesses
Biodiversity is a source of food, nutrients, medicines, fuel,
energy, livelihoods and cultural and spiritual enrichment. It
contributes to the provision of clean water and air that perform
critical functions that range from the regulation of pests and
diseases to that climate change and natural disasters, stated by
Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of
Convention on Biological diversity.
 But changes in biodiversity will banished all this
contribution and will expose human beings to different
kinds of diseases . According to research, loss in
biodiversity affects human health , such as mental health
ailments , depression, Parkinson's disease, heart disease,
cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma,
diabetes, obesity, occupational injuries, dysentery, arthritis,
and malaria.