Biodiversity

Chapter 7 | Freshwater biodiversityThe importance offreshwater biodiversityFreshwater biodiversity provides a variety ofbenefits (ecosystem services) to people, including:Food: in developing countries, inland fisheries can providethe primary source of animal protein for many ruralcommunities (see box: “Aquaculture”). Aquaculture, thefarming of fish and other aquatic animals (e.g. shrimp),can also provide food and income for many people, as canwetland agriculture, such as rice farming.Fibre: throughout human history, many wetland plants havebeen a source of fibre for making such items as baskets,roofs, paper and rope. Papyrus, for example, was used formaking paper as early as 4000 BC (think of the ancientEgyptian scrolls).Recreational and cultural benefits: many rivers, lakes andwetlands are highly valued for recreational and culturalbenefits, some of which have high economic value (suchas tourism). In developed countries, sport fishing is alsoan important recreational activity and a significant sourceof income for many communities. Recreational fishershave been a major driving force in cleaning up freshwaterenvironments to restore recreational benefits.Orangutans live in peat swamp forests and arethreatened as a result of habitat loss. They areendemic to the Indonesian islands of Borneoand Sumatra and are found nowhere else inthe world (except in captivity). This Borneanorangutan helps to spread tree seeds, includingsome species that can only germinate when theyhave passed through the ORANGUTAN’S gut!©Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation92