Taking Nature's Pulse - Biodiversity BC

taking nature’s pulse: the status of biodiversity in british columbia1.2 Why Is Biodiversity Important?Emily Carr, one of B.C.’s best-knownartists, drew inspiration from thenatural world for many of herpaintings. Emily Carr, Cedar, 1942,oil on canvas, 112.0 x 69.0 cm,collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery,Emily Carr Trust, vag 42.3.28.photo: trevor mills, vancouverart gallery.figure 5: Services derived frombiodiversity that support humanwell-being.source: Secretariat of the Conventionon Biological Diversity. 2006. GlobalBiodiversity Outlook 2. Montreal, PQ. 81pp.Available at: www.biodiv.org/gbo2/default.shtml.Biodiversity provides a long list of services critical to supporting life on earth (Figure 5). 20 Such ecosystem servicesdirectly and indirectly contribute economic value. Ten years ago, the global economic value of 17 ecosystemservices for 16 biomes was estimated to be in the range of $US16–54 trillion per year, with an average valueof US$33 trillion per year. a,21Biodiversity also provides diverse cultural services, such as opportunities for spiritual and religious experiences,education, recreation and an aesthetic connection with nature that is exemplified in many art forms. 22,23These cultural values have remained important even with increasing urbanization and are perhaps most obviousamong Aboriginal peoples whose connections to nature are well maintained. For example, western redcedarand yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) are culturally important to coastal First Nations (see Text box2, p. 13). 24 Both species are also under increasing threat due to climate change. 25,26Many people believe that humans have a moral obligation to protect all life forms for their own sake, as wellas for their value to future generations. A world without the services provided by species and ecosystems isunimaginable. For example, if major groups of decomposer organisms were to fail, organic debris would simplyaccumulate, and nutrient cycling, plant growth and food production would come to a halt. Pollination offood plants by insects accounts for about one of every three mouthfuls of food eaten by humans. 27 While somespecies could disappear with little measurable impact, many of the species responsible for the critical ecosystemservices required for life and human well-being are unknown. Conserving biodiversity maintains optionsfor future generations.PROVISIONINGSERVICES (GOODS)Food, fibre & fuelGenetic resourcesBiochemicalsFresh waterHabitatCULTURAL SERVICESSpiritual valuesKnowledge systemsEducation & inspirationRecreation & aestheticvaluesecosystem ECOSYSTEM SERVICESservicesREGULATING SERVICESInvasion resistancePollinationSeed dispersalClimate regulationPest & disease regulationNatural hazard protectionErosion regulationWater purificationSUPPORTING SERVICESPrimary productionProvision of habitatNutrient cyclingSoil formation/retentionProduction ofatmospheric oxygenWater cyclinga To put this in context, the global gross national product was around US$18 trillion per year.