Biodiversity is a term which aims at or advocate on conservation of wildlife resources.

The term was later adapted in 1980 s when it came into common usage in scientific literature and environmental policy. Biodiversity is occasionally used to reflect scientific and public concern for nature conservation particularly the current extinction of species and often used as a measure of health of biological system, the higher the biodiversity the healthier the ecosystem. There are four different levels of biodiversity which include genetic diversity, species diversity, community diversity and ecosystem diversity. The concern for conserving the world s biodiversity is based on main four factors, which includes: First human activities which are believed current extinction is proceeding at a rate of up 1000 times higher than before; human beings evolve on the earth, since the planet is experiencing a wave of extinction crisis. Example unlike past waves like Permian-Triassic event in which seventy percent (70%) of terrestrial species went extinct due to an asteroid impact or a similar natural calamity. Secondly the demands of rapidly increasing human population as well as continued advances in technology. This terrible situation is exacerbated by unequal distribution of wealth and property in many Tropical countries with an abundance of species. Thirdly, independent factor like acid rain, logging and over exploitation of resources, thus there is a need for one to know what is bad for biodiversity, will also certainly be bad for human population since human are dependent on the natural environment for raw materials, food, medicine, water and other goods and services.

Citing Arusha region there are different socio-economic and ecological values of biodiversity. In Arusha there are different National parks, conservation areas forests and other biodiversities which plays a vital role in bringing about socio-economic benefits to its people for instance Ngorongoro conservation area, Tarangire, Manyara, Arusha national parks, Manyara Lake. And they have certain values which include the following, First, agriculture which provide food resources, there are different plants and animal species which provide food resources for human consumption. Example wheat, maize and rice where by its assumed more than two third of food requirement in Arusha are from biodiversity, also animals provide meat, eggs for the humans as food. Biodiversity provide humans about 80% of food supply coming from 20 different types of crops. Humans also use at least 40,000 species of wild plants and animals daily for food. Secondly, commerce and industry where by biodiversity provides a range of industrial material which are derived directly from biotic resources, including building materials, fiber, beeswax, gums, beverages. Example in Arusha there are several industries like Unga Limited Industry, Sun Flag Industry, TBL which all use material derived from biodiversity resources. Thirdly Fuels, since ages forest have been used as a fuel for instance in may area fuel is likely to be obtained from forests and be used daily as firewood. Example In Ngorongoro, the Maasai who live within the conservation area basically use firewood as their source of fuel since they lack other sources. Fourthly, Drugs and medicine are also part of biodiversity and they maintain human health conditions. Example Aloevera tree which is present in different forests found in Arusha like Msitu wa Tembo which is used to cure different disease like pressure. Others include Quinine which is obtained from cinchona tree, Penicillin which is a famous anti-biotic derived from Penincillium and tetracycline. Fifth, tourism activities. There is a presence of tourists coming to Arusha , since there are tourists attractions and they add a revenue to the country and bring about socialization among indigenous societies. Example Tarangire national park, mountain climbing ( Mt Meru) hiking and other sports. Six, ecological values where by biodiversity plays a big role in bringing carbondioxide fixation through photosynthesis, also maintaining essential nutrients like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. Also maintaining water cycle and rechaging of ground water, soil formation and protection from erosion as well as regulating climate by recycling moisture into the atmosphere.