Quote from: Rassah on December 03, 2012, 07:15:23 PM

Quote from: FirstAscent on December 03, 2012, 06:54:05 PM

Incorrect. Resources are wealth. Now, please answer the question. What is the wealth that exists in biodiversity?

Wealth can be comprised of resources. Biodiversity is a variety of life forms. Since I don't know what wealth there is in a concept of "variety," please enlighten me.

One life form contains x data, which can be studied at many levels, such as the genetic level, the microscopic level (internal structures), the macroscopic level (such as methods of locomotion), and the society level (how their society works). Benefits of studying such a life form leads to advancements in medicine, material science, engineering, computer science, urban planning, etc.

Multiply x data by 100,000, and we have 100,000 times the potential knowledge within these life forms. That's the benefit of variety. Biodiversity is variety. Biodiversity is untapped wealth.

Furthermore, and independent of all that untapped knowledge, biodiversity exists within rich ecosystems, where the life forms, dependent on each other, are components of a system which produces services, in this case, ecosystem services. The more biodiversity within an ecosystem, in general, means the greater productivity in ecosystem services. Humanity depends on those ecosystem services in many ways. Our well being, and wealth depend on the biodiversity within those ecosystem services. They are our foundation. Without them, we would not have wealth. Here are some key terms for you to help you along the way to better understand how everything relates: trophic cascades, ecosystem services, island biogeography.