Why is biodiversity important - with Sir David Attenborough | The Royal Society
The Royal Society・2 minutes read
Large fruit-eating animals aid in spreading tree seeds, contributing to forest growth and a healthy planet. Despite cataloging 1.6 million species, there are potentially millions more yet to be discovered, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and the urgent need for measures to protect it from human threats like habitat changes and climate change.
Insights
- Spider monkeys and similar large fruit-eating animals are crucial for dispersing seeds of tropical hardwood trees through their dung, which aids in forest growth and contributes to a healthier planet by absorbing carbon dioxide.
- The vast biodiversity on Earth, with potentially millions of undiscovered species, provides essential resources like food and medicine, highlighting the importance of urgent actions to protect biodiversity hotspots, reduce carbon emissions, and actively manage natural habitats for a sustainable future.
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Recent questions
How do spider monkeys contribute to forest growth?
By spreading seeds through their dung.
How many species have been cataloged on Earth?
Around 1.6 million species.
What are the threats to biodiversity?
Habitat changes, hunting, and climate change.
How can we protect biodiversity?
By reducing carbon emissions and protecting hotspots.
What role does biodiversity play in sustaining life?
Provides essential resources like food and medicine.
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Summary
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Biodiversity: Essential, Threatened, and Vast
- Large fruit-eating animals like spider monkeys play a crucial role in spreading seeds of tropical hardwood trees through their dung, aiding in forest growth that absorbs carbon dioxide, contributing to a healthy planet.
- Despite cataloging around 1.6 million species, there could be an additional seven to eight million species yet to be discovered, emphasizing the vast biodiversity on Earth that sustains life and provides essential resources like food, medicine, and protection.
- Human actions such as habitat changes, hunting, and climate change are threatening biodiversity, necessitating urgent measures like reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity hotspots, and actively rebuilding and managing natural habitats to ensure a sustainable future for all life forms.
