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Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biosphere - WBGU

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42 D The use <strong>of</strong> genetic <strong>and</strong> species diversity<br />

have not even come close to completing a description<br />

<strong>of</strong> all species. Such an assessment would <strong>the</strong>refore<br />

relate to species that are as yet unknown.<br />

If we were to evaluate <strong>the</strong> animal kingdom, <strong>the</strong><br />

number <strong>of</strong> species currently being used would presumably<br />

be smaller than in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> plants <strong>and</strong> thus<br />

<strong>the</strong> unused proportion much greater.This is also true<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ecologically significant proportion <strong>of</strong> species<br />

for ‘s<strong>of</strong>t’ sustainability (predator/prey systems, pest<br />

control).<br />

As far as <strong>the</strong> microorganisms are concerned, <strong>the</strong><br />

proportion <strong>of</strong> species not currently in use would be<br />

significantly larger than in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plants. A<br />

substantial part <strong>of</strong> current bioprospecting efforts is<br />

directed to analysing new natural substances from<br />

this group <strong>of</strong> organisms.

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