Question

Why should we conserve biodiversity?
A. We should preserve the biodiversity we have inherited
B. A loss of diversity may lead to a loss of ecological stability
C. Both A and B
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The rates of biodiversity extinctions have increased and are accelerating very fast. If current rates of extinction continue, the future generation may not be able to see animals like tigers, one-horned rhino, etc in living conditions. This wide range of organisms is part of several ecological processes like the food chain, nutrient cycle, etc.

Complete answer:
We should conserve our biodiversity because we have inherited it and the future generation should also be able to inherit it. Loss of biodiversity has resulted in several ecological imbalances like:
- Dramatic changes in ecosystem processes like the water cycle, disease cycle, pest cycle, etc.
- The productivity of the ecosystem has been reduced.
- Resistance to natural calamities like droughts and floods have also decreased.

Additional Information:
- According to the information in the IUCN red data book, 784 species have gone extinct in the past 500 years, which includes 338 vertebrates, 359 invertebrates, and 87 plants.
- In the last two decades, the extinction of 27 species has been observed.
- Almost 15,500 species are threatened and may become extinct shortly.

The main causes of biodiversity loss are:
- Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation
- Overexploitation
- Invasion by exotic or alien species
- Coextinctions
- Pollution of natural resources

So, the correct answer is,” Biodiversity should be conserved because we have inherited it and also because a loss of diversity may lead to loss of ecological stability.”

Note:
The effects of biodiversity loss are already visible. Some important recent extinctions are Dodo of Mauritius, Tasmanian Wolf, or Thylacine belonging to the Australian continent, Quagga or South African zebra, Steller's Sea Cow belonging to Russia and three subspecies of tiger including Bali, Javan and Caspian have also gone extinct. 31% of gymnosperms, 32% amphibians, 23% mammals, and 12% of bird species are currently facing the threat of extinction.