Running head: BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 1

Economics of Biodiversity

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BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 2

Economics of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the foundation of a variety of microorganisms, plants, and animals

(species), the genes the species contains and the ecosystem they form. That is, biodiversity has

three primary levels, which are genetic, species, and ecosystem services. Generally, biodiversity

forms a web in which living things are an integral part and depend on it for survival. That being

the case, this article aims to develop a discussion on what biodiversity is, its importance, how

biodiversity is measured, and what is causing biodiversity extinction today. Also, the paper will

discuss the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Arizona's most and least diverse species.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the short form of biology and diversity. Thomas Lovejoy introduced the

two terms in the world of science in the 1980s in a book. In 1985, Walter G. Rosen coined the

shortened form. However, biodiversity, in simple terms, is the amount of variety of life in the

earth from genes and species to ecosystems. Biodiversity includes both unmanaged ecosystems

such as wildlife, national parks, et al. and managed ecosystems crops lands, farms, aquaculture

sites, among others. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), define biodiversity as the

variableness amidst organisms out of aquatic ecosystems, other sources, and the ecological

intricate they are part including the diversity of ecosystems, diversity in species and diversity

between species (Faith, 2016).

Why is biodiversity important?

Life on earth is appreciated because of biodiversity. For example, humans and other

living things depend on services such as food and medicine, water, pollination, soil fertility, et

al., which ecosystems provide. Losing biodiversity weakens the ecosystem reducing the
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likeliness of the ecosystem to deliver the services (Puckett, Kesler & Greenwald, 2016). Also,

biodiversity helps human beings to stay healthy. As per reports, disease outbreak and nature

degradation are closely linked. To care for themselves, human beings should care for nature. For

instance, COVID-19 can be sourced from animals, fish, birds' et al. Besides, biodiversity plays a

significant role in climate change solution for example, reports states that global greenhouse gas

emissions are responsible for the destruction of forests. Mangroves are good carbon storage and

keep it away from the atmosphere. Another importance of biodiversity is the benefits it has on

the economy. Research indicates that biologic resources derive a percentage of about 40 of the

world's economy and 80 percent of the poor’s necessity (Storch, Bohdalkovia 7 Okie, 2018).

Many developing countries depend on biodiversity ecosystem for fuel, medicines, food, et al.

How is biodiversity measured?

To measure biodiversity, scientists use methods such as transect sampling, canopy

fogging, netting, quadrat sampling, among others, depending on the type of organisms and the

habitat they are counting. For instance, canopy fogging is a method used to measure the

biodiversity of insects. It is based on killing some insects using a small dose of insecticide and

keeping the insects for observation and study (Rocchini et al, 2018). Transect sampling is used to

illustrate a linear pattern along which plants and animal communities change. Netting is a

methodology used to assess flying wildlife, especially bats and birds. The method is also used in

aquatic ecosystems to capture fish. The captured animals are individualized and studied. In

quadrat sampling, organisms of a specific habitat are counted directly (Rocchini et al, 2018). The

method helps in estimating population frequency, distribution, abundance, density, et al.

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Extinction and its causes today

In biodiversity, extinction is the reduction or loss of species, both animals and plants, in a

particular habitat. Cessation reduces biodiversity, and this has seen species that are unable to

adapt to environmental changes become extinct. First, human beings are the biggest threat to

planet species. The world's population is increasing by millions annually; this has resulted in

human beings overusing the limited resources at a rapid rate to satisfy their wants, leaving lesser

resources for the other species (Storch, Bohdalkova & Okie, 2018). Practices such as habitat

destruction for their settlement, overhunting for food and other techniques to cater to the growing

unsustainable human population lead to the extinction of species. Climate change is another

cause of death of species. Human practices such as greenhouse gas emission and harvest of

mangrove results in global warming. Global warming creates unsuitable conditions such as acid

rains that kill aquatic species. The spread of invasive species has also pushed nature to the blink.

Food competitors are on the rise, and those animals that cannot feed themselves and those that

are food to those are becoming extinct.

Endangered Species Act and its economic consequences

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was developed in 1973. The act applies to both

domestic and international conservation, aims at providing a framework to protect and conserve

the endangered species and their habitats, and develop recovery plans for each protected species

(Storch, Bohdalkova & Okie, 2018). Although ESA plays a significant role in biodiversity, it

faces many critics. Research shows that the act has not been successful in promoting recovery

despite the massive investments by the United States government on the front. Howbeit, the act
BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 5

benefits the economy of the local government by providing millions to the local communities

annually to help in protecting plants and animals.

What are the most and least diverse species in Arizona, butterflies and their benefits

and how to curb the loss of diversity?

In Arizona, the most remarkable diversity is in birds (394) and the least variety in palms

(1). This comes as no surprise considering the Arizona state parks, which are regarded as world-

class birding destinations and migrations throughout the year.

  394 Birds
    142 Mammals
    114 Reptiles
    6 Turtles (non-marine)
    30 Amphibians
    33 Fishes
    332 Butterflies
    20 Bumblebees
    133 Dragonflies
    130 Trees
    83 Cacti
    23 Conifers
    1 Palms
BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 6

Insects are believed to be the most diverse organisms on earth because of their overall

body structure. The protective shell and capability to fly enables them escape enemies and

disperse to new ecosystems (Porter & Riedman, 2016).

Butterflies and precisely the Zilpa long-tailed butterfly, have many benefits to human

beings. Their services include pollination and natural pest control. Their earthy flavor flower tea

is a mood enhancer and reduces symptoms of anxiety.

BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 7

Biodiversity is the pillar that allows the ecosystem to function and humans to thrive.

Also, human beings are the primary cause of loss of diversity. Therefore, they play a significant

role in reducing the loss by sustainable living, which will reduce the overuse of the limited

resources, habitat restoration through afforestation, reducing invasive species, reduce climate

change, educating each other on the importance of biodiversity, among other practices.

In conclusion, biodiversity is the reason why life is sustainable on earth. The paper also

states and explains that human being increases the loss of biodiversity through practices such as

overhunting, deforestation, growing invasive species, et al. More so, the paper defines a few

methods on how biodiversity is measured. The methods include transect sampling, netting,

canopy fogging, et al. it is also true that birds are the most diverse species and palms the least in

Arizona. The passage also states that insects being the most varied organisms because of their

body structure. Finally, the paper says some of the benefits of butterflies, the ESA, and how

human beings can help in reducing the loss of biodiversity.

BIODIVERSITY ECONOMICS 8

References

Faith, D. P. (2016). A general model for biodiversity and its value. The routledge handbook on

the philosophy of biodiversity. Routledge.

Porter, S. M., & Riedman, L. A. (2016). Systematics of organic-walled microfossils from the ca.

780–740 Ma Chuar Group, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Journal of Paleontology, 90(5), 815-

853.

Puckett, E. E., Kesler, D. C., & Greenwald, D. N. (2016). Taxa, petitioning agency, and lawsuits

affect time spent awaiting listing under the US Endangered Species Act. Biological

conservation, 201, 220-229.

Rocchini, D., Luque, S., Pettorelli, N., Bastin, L., Doktor, D., Faedi, N., ... & Godinho, S.

(2018). Measuring β‐diversity by remote sensing: A challenge for biodiversity

monitoring. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9(8), 1787-1798.

Storch, D., Bohdalková, E., & Okie, J. (2018). The more‐individuals hypothesis revisited: the

role of community abundance in species richness regulation and the productivity–

diversity relationship. Ecology Letters, 21(6), 920-937.