Biodiversity can be defined as the variability among living organisms that includes terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems. It is the most precious gift of nature. Biodiversity is a part of our life and livelihood, and it consists of resources upon which we are dependent and our future generation as well. The variety of living organisms means a variety of species, genetic and ecosystem levels. It also shows the organisation of organisms at different levels. All living organisms, including plants, animals and microbes are interdependent. Thus, the value of biodiversity in the life of all organisms is enormous.
Values of Biodiversity
Various environmentalists believe that human activities lead to many species extensions at an alarming rate. Conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity are fundamental for our environment’s sustainable development. Biodiversity plays a vital role in every organism’s life. It is a direct source of food and various resources. Biodiversity has an exceptional value for humans because we depend on it for our economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.
Direct values
Direct values are those values in which we can directly use biodiversity for our needs and benefits. Direct values include an economic and recreational value, consumptive use-value, and productive use-value.
Consumptive use Value
- It is simply defined as the value of the products consumers consume directly without buying them from the market. For example- consuming an animal after hunting it or using wood from the trees after cutting it.
Productive use value
- Productive use-value is also referred to as economic value.
- Productive used value is defined as the value of the products that we obtain from nature but are consumed after buying them from the market. For example- we buy wheat or rice from the market, which has a productive used value.
- Biodiversity provides a lot of resources for various manufacturing sectors. Thus it has economic value.
Indirect values
Indirect values include those values by which we do not use a plant or animal or any other part of biodiversity by physical means. Indirect values include the benefits that biodiversity provides us, which do not include the destruction of natural resources. For example- nutrients cycling water and air purification, education, soil formation, pollination by bees, decomposition of Dead materials by the decomposers, mesmerising beauty of flora and fauna, worshipping various plants and animals, etc.
Social Values
- The social values are linked to the social concern in the traditional community
- Social values include cultural, spiritual, aesthetic and recreational values of biodiversity
- Traditional peoples consider biodiversity as a part of their livelihood. They also value biodiversity through religious and cultural sentiments
- The social value of biodiversity includes motivated habitat conservation
- Many people across the world are still dependent on forests and the environment for their livelihood, and they also meet their daily requirements from the environment around them
- Social value meaning – Social value means considering the social aspect by which more resources are used by the society, apart from local use of biodiversity
- Social value marketing– Crops or plants cultivated traditionally help the farmers increase their productivity, and it also helps the farmer provide insurance against the failure of one crop.
Ethical and Moral value
- Every culture, religion and society has its ethical values. Various cultures are associated with the conservation of biodiversity. For example- sacred grooves are considered holy and are preserved by local people of an area.
Aesthetic value
- Flora and fauna present in the environment also increase the world’s beauty. Thus, biodiversity provides aesthetic value for us.
- Aesthetic value simply means the contribution of biodiversity towards increasing the beauty of the environment.
Cultural and Spiritual value
- Many cultures around the world are very much related to plants and animals. For example: in Hinduism, people worship many plants as Gods.
Ecological value
- Ecological value is also known as environmental value.
- Ecological value includes examining the ecosystem process and identifying the ecosystem services that yield results.
- Every species helps maintain the ecological balance; thus, every species has its ecological value.
The scientific value of Educational value
- Many plants and animals present in the environment are used for various research purposes, and we use them to enhance our knowledge from their study. Thus, biodiversity has scientific and educational value.
Conclusion
All living organisms, including plants, animals and microbes, are interdependent. Thus the value of biodiversity in the life of all the organisms is enormous. There can be direct or indirect values of biodiversity. Direct values include consumptive use value and productive use-value, whereas indirect values include social values. Social values include cultural, spiritual, aesthetic and recreational values of biodiversity. The social value of biodiversity includes motivated habitat conservation. Many people worldwide are still dependent on forests and the environment for their livelihood, and they also meet their daily requirements from the environment around them.