Why biodiversity matters

Why biodiversity matters

In 1973, the Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss used the concept ‘Deep Ecology’ to argue that human beings are equal to all other living beings on this planet and are part of an interrelated ‘biospheric’ network (Næss, 2008). Therefore, every organism on this planet has intrinsic value on its own and thus, puts humankind in the same ecological order as any other animal, plant, fungi, or bacteria (Næss, 2008). This also means that other organisms than Homo sapiens have the same right to live in their ways (Næss, 2008). Biodiversity implies that every being can coexist and live in symbiosis with other beings, to find stability and continuity in life (Næss, 2008); this is called homeostasis.

In terms of ecosystem functioning, homeostasis means that all species within a ‘local assemblage’ complement each other and even become dependent on one another as each species uses different resources (Gaston & Spicer, 2004). Each animal, plant, fungi, or even the smallest microbes play a role in this ecological cycle. This implies that the more species live in such a community that is able to complement each other, the more resources are available for these species to thrive – of course, to a certain threshold; the quality of nature is that it regulates itself (Gaston & Spicer, 2004). By any means, if biodiversity is in a highly stable state, an ecosystem can slowly move towards self-sufficiency and is then most resilient when changes happen in the ecological network. Therefore, biodiversity must be maintained to prevent collapse and remain the functionality of the ecosystem as it is.

Besides the ecological value and the intrinsic value of nature and biodiversity, there are also many other values: genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic. A few of those can be completely or partially put under the concept of Ecosystem Services, which is described by the UN as a framework that benefits humankind (United Nations, 2005, via Taylor & Hochuli, 2015) (fig. 2.1.1). Evidently, it provides our food, wood, and many other natural resources. Also, it regulates climatic conditions, regardless of the current change that the global climate is dealing with, such as air filtration, heat reduction and infiltration, and evaporation of stormwater events. For example, even the presence of unmown grass can have a positive effect on the immune system (Beninde et al., 2015). Furthermore, the ecosystem supports

humankind in the restoration of natural processes in the soil, such as groundwater, decomposition of organic material, and remediation of over-polluted environments. Finally, the many ways that urban nature benefits our own health is more substantial than one thinks and is often overseen. Most of the nature-citizen interactions take place within the city, and thus – often unconsciously- benefits our cultural identity, social values, and our personal mental health (Beninde et al., 2015).

However, ecosystem services exist independently from their benefits to humankind, and should also be of service for animals, plants, and other organisms (Taylor & Hochuli, 2005). This means that the ecosystem is required to be a healthy and stable system, to be able to serve the needs of every organism on this planet. Ecosystem distress is, therefore, a no-go in order to let nature reorganize itself, and become resilient and vital (Taylor & Hochuli, 2005). Unfortunately, humankind has neglected the grown environment for centuries and has slowly rejected it from the city (Stig L. Andersson, 2019). The commitment to reject our dependence on nature and to put ourselves on top of the ‘food chain’ has largely contributed to the detachment of humankind to nature, and as Næss (2008) states, to ourselves. Increasing processes in the urban environment, such as homogenization of nature and urbanization through pollution, use of de-icing salts, eutrophication of the soil, lack of permeable surface, habitat fragmentation, invasive species and disturbances by traffic, light or noise; these are just the main causes of declining biodiversity (Grimm et al., 2008; McKinney, 2006). The way that humankind has exploited and depleted natural resources in the anthropocentric era is not a way we are going to sustain ourselves, as is proven through the changes of the climate and the increasing decline of species and habitat loss.

Biodiversity is the buffer between resilience and vulnerability of the ecosystem; in other words, biodiversity is the buffer for human life (fig 2.1.2). It will teach us that we are able to coexist too, as we have always done. We do not have to fight against nature and ourselves, but instead, we cooperate and live in symbiosis with each other. Therefore, rather than looking at how urbanization has negatively impacted global biodiversity (McKinney, 2008; Grimm et al., 2008), more effective would be to look at how biodiversity can thrive in the urban environment and create stability and continuity in life for more beings than just humankind.