QUE ES

BIODIVERSIDAD
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a key measure of the health of any
ecosystem, and of our entire planet. Every organism
in an ecosystem, or biome, relies on other organisms
and the physical environment. For example, plant
and animal species need each other for food, and
depend on the environment for water and shelter.
Biodiversity describes how much variety an
ecosystem has, in terms of resources and species,
and also genetically within species.
A more diverse ecosystem will have more resources
to help it recover from famine, drought, disease or
even the extinction of a species. There are several
levels of biodiversity, each indicating how diverse the
genes, species and resources are in a region.
BIODIVERSIDAD
La biodiversidad es la totalidad de los genes, las
especies y los ecosistemas de una regin. La
riqueza actual de la vida de la Tierra es el producto
de cientos de millones de aos de evolucin
histrica.
A lo largo del tiempo, surgieron culturas humanas
que se adaptaron al entorno local, descubriendo,
usando y modificando los recursos biticos locales.
Muchos mbitos que ahora parecen "naturales"
llevan la marca de milenios de habitacin humana,
cultivo de plantas y recoleccin de recursos.
La biodiversidad fue modelada, adems, por la
domesticacin e hibridacin de variedades locales
de cultivos y animales de cra.
DIVERSIDAD GENTICA

La biodiversidad puede dividirse en tres categoras

jerarquizadas--los genes, las especies, y los ecosistemas-- que
describen muy diferentes aspectos de los sistemas vivientes y
que los cientficos miden de diferentes maneras; a saber:

Por diversidad gentica se entiende la variacin de los genes

dentro de las especies. Esto abarca poblaciones determinadas de
las misma especie (como los miles de variedades tradicionales de
arroz de la India) o la variacin gentica de una poblacin (que es
muy elevada entre los rinocerontes de la India, por ejemplo, y
muy escasa entre los chitas).
Hasta hace poco, las medidas de la diversidad gentica se
aplicaban principalmente a las especies y poblaciones
domesticadas conservadas en zoolgicos o jardines botnicos,
pero las tcnicas se aplican cada vez ms a las especies
silvestres.
MEGADIVERSOS
.
Diversidad Gentica

Las diferencias entre organismos individuales tienen dos causas:

las variaciones del material gentico y que pasa de generacin en
generacin y las variaciones debidas a la influencia que el medio
ambiente ejerce sobre cada individuo.
La diversidad gentica es particularmente importante para la
productividad y el desarrollo agrcolas. Durante siglos, la
agricultura se ha basado en un nmero reducido de especies
vegetales y animales, pero, sobre todo en el caso de las plantas, se
ha desarrollado un nmero extraordinariamente elevado de
variedades locales. Esta diversidad de recursos genticos
vegetales tiene en muchos casos ventajas prcticas reales.
A medida que los hbitats naturales se han visto desplazados por
otros usos del suelo, con la consiguiente destruccin de formas
silvestres de plantas cultivadas que podran ser necesarias con
fines de seleccin, , se hace ms urgente la necesidad de
identificar y conservar los recursos genticos vegetales y animales.
Diversidad de Especies

Por diversidad de especies se entiende la variedad de especies existentes

en una regin. Esa diversidad puede medirse de muchas maneras, y los
cientficos no se han puesto de acuerdo sobre cul es el mejor mtodo.
El nmero de especies de una regin--su "riqueza" en especies--es una
medida que a menudo se utiliza, pero una medida ms precisa, la
"diversidad taxonmica" tiene en cuenta la estrecha relacin existente
entre unas especies y otras. Por ejemplo: una isla en que hay dos especies
de pjaros y una especie de lagartos tiene mayor diversidad taxonmica
que una isla en que hay tres especies de pjaros pero ninguna de lagartos.
Por lo tanto, aun cuando haya ms especies de escarabajos terrestres que
de todas las otras especies combinadas, ellos no influyen sobre la
diversidad de las especies, porque estn relacionados muy estrechamente.
Anlogamente, es mucho mayor el nmero de las especies que viven en
tierra que las que viven en el mar, pero las especies terrestres estn ms
estrechamente vinculadas entre s que las especies ocanicas, por lo cual
la diversidad es mayor en los ecosistemas martimos que lo que sugerira
una cuenta estricta de las especies.
Diversidad de especies

El nmero de especies se puede contar en cualquier

lugar en que se tomen muestras, en particular si la
atencin se concentra en organismos conocidos (como
mamferos o aves)
La riqueza de especies vara geogrficamente: las
reas ms clidas tienden a mantener ms especies
que las ms fras, y las ms hmedas son ms ricas
que las ms secas; las zonas con menores variaciones
estacinales suelen ser ms ricas que aquellas con
estaciones muy marcadas; por ltimo, las zonas con
topografa y clima variados mantienen ms especies
que las uniformes.
Especies endmicas.- Se dice que una especie es
endmica de una zona determinada si su rea de
distribucin est enteramente confinada a esa zona
Diversidad de Ecosistemas

La diversidad de los ecosistemas es ms difcil de medir que la de las

especies o la diversidad gentica, porque las "fronteras" de las comunidades--
asociaciones de especies--y de los ecosistemas no estn bien definidas.
No obstante, en la medida en que se utilice un conjunto de criterios coherente
para definir las comunidades y los ecosistemas, podr medirse su nmero y
distribucin. Hasta ahora, esos mtodos se han aplicado principalmente a
nivel nacional y subnacional, pero se han elaborado algunas clasificaciones
globales groseras.

Adems de la diversidad de los ecosistemas, pueden ser importantes muchas

otras expresiones de la biodiversidad. Entre ellas figuran;
La abundancia relativa de especies, la estructura de edades de las
poblaciones, la estructura de las comunidades en una regin, la variacin de
la composicin y la estructura de las comunidades a lo largo del tiempo y
hasta procesos ecolgicos tales como la depredacin, el parasitismo y el
mutualismo. En forma ms general, para alcanzar metas especficas de
manejo o de polticas suele ser importante examinar no slo la diversidad de
composicin--genes, especies y ecosistemas--sino tambin la diversidad de la
estructura y las funciones de los ecosistemas.
Diversidad de los
Ecosistemas
La diversidad de los ecosistemas puede evaluarse en trminos de
distribucin mundial o continental de tipos de ecosistemas
definidos con carcter general, o bien en trminos de diversidad
de especies dentro de los ecosistemas.
Adems de la diversidad de los ecosistemas, pueden ser
importantes
muchas otras expresiones de la biodiversidad. Entre ellas figuran;
La abundancia relativa de especies,
la estructura de edades de las poblaciones,
La estructura de las comunidades en una regin,
La variacin de la composicin y la estructura de las
comunidades a lo largo del tiempo y hasta procesos ecolgicos
tales como la depredacin, el parasitismo y el mutualismo.
Diversidad Cultural Humana

Tambin la diversidad cultural humana podra considerarse

como parte de la biodiversidad. A
l igual que la diversidad gentica o de especies, algunos
atributos de las culturas humanas (por ejemplo, el nomadismo
o la rotacin de los cultivos) representan "soluciones" a los
problemas de las supervivencia en determinados ambientes.
Adems, al igual que otros aspectos de la biodiversidad, la
diversidad cultural ayuda a las personas a adaptarse a la
variacin del entorno.
La diversidad cultural se manifiesta por la diversidad del
lenguaje, de las creencias religiosas, de las prcticas del
manejo de la tierra, en el arte, en la msica, en la estructura
social, en la seleccin de los cultivos, en la dieta y en todo
nmero concebible de otros atributos de la sociedad humana.
The Convention about Life on Earth,
Convention on Biodiversity web site
At least 40 per cent of the worlds economy and
80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived
from biological resources. In addition, the richer
the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity
for medical discoveries, economic development,
and adaptive responses to such new challenges
as climate change.

Cardisoma crassum. (cangrejo azul), viven en las zonas altas

del manglar y su mayor poblacin se encuentra en
Esmeraldas y poco individuos en Manab y el Guayas
A healthy biodiversity provides a number of
natural services for everyone:

Ecosystem services, such as

Protection of water resources
Soils formation and protection
Nutrient storage and recycling
Pollution breakdown and absorption
Contribution to climate stability
Maintenance of ecosystems
Recovery from unpredictable events
Biological resources, such as
Food
Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
Wood products
Ornamental plants
Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
Future resources
Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems
Social benefits, such as
Research, education and monitoring
Recreation and tourism
Cultural values
Species Diversity

Every ecosystem contains a unique collection of

species, all interacting with each other. Some
ecosystems may have many more species than
another. In some ecosystems, one species has grown
so large that it dominates the natural community.
When comparing the biodiversity of ecosystems, an
ecosystem that has a large number of species, but
no species greatly outnumbering the rest, would be
considered to have the most species diversity. A
large number of species can help an ecosystem
recover from ecological threats, even if some species
go extinct.
Anas spp.
PERDIDA DE BIODIVERSIDAD
Ecosystem Diversity

A region may have several ecosystems, or it may

have one. Wide expanses of oceans or deserts
would be examples of regions with low ecological
diversity. A mountain area that has lakes, forests
and grasslands would have higher biodiversity, in
this sense. A region with several ecosystems may
be able to provide more resources to help native
species survive, especially when one ecosystem is
threatened by drought or disease
ECOSITEM
Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity describes how closely related the

members of one species are in a given ecosystem.
In simple terms, if all members have many similar
genes, the species has low genetic diversity.
Because of their small populations, endangered
species may have low genetic diversity due to
inbreeding.
This can pose a threat to a population if it leads to
inheritance of undesirable traits or makes the
species more susceptible to disease. Having high
genetic diversity helps species adapt to changing
environments.
Functional Diversity

The way species behave, obtain food and use the

natural resources of an ecosystem is known as
functional diversity. In general a species-rich
ecosystem is presumed to have high functional
diversity, because there are many species with
many different behaviors.
Understanding an ecosystems functional diversity
can be useful to ecologists trying to conserve or
restore damaged it, because knowing the behaviors
and roles of species can point to gaps in a food
cycle or ecological niches that are lacking species.
Zonas biogeograficas
Functional Diversity
The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is
commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of
species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the
enormous diversity of genes in these species, the
different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts,
rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a
biologically diverse Earth.
Appropriate conservation and sustainable
development strategies attempt to recognize this as
being integral to any approach. Almost all cultures
have in some way or form recognized the importance
that nature, and its biological diversity has had upon
them and the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed
and politics have affected the precarious balance.
Species depend on each other

While there might be survival of the fittest

within a given species, each species depends on
the services provided by other species to ensure
survival. It is a type of cooperation based on
mutual survival and is often what a balanced
ecosystem refers to. Soil, bacteria, plants; the
Nitrogen Cycle

The relationship between soil, plants, bacteria and

other life is also referred to as the nitrogen cycle
BIODiversity
Why is Biodiversity important? Does it really matter if
there arent so many species?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each

species, no matter how small, all have an important role
to play.

For example, a larger number of plant species means a

greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures
natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy
ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a
variety of disasters.

And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to

preserve the diversity in wildlif
Biodiversidad
It has long been feared that human activity is
causing massive extinctions. Despite increased
efforts at conservation, it has not been enough
and biodiversity losses continue. The costs
associated with deteriorating or vanishing
ecosystems will be high. However, sustainable
development and consumption would help avert
ecological problems.
biodiversity
Despite knowing about biodiversitys importance for a long
time, human activity has been causing massive extinctions. As
the Environment New Service, reported back in August 1999
(previous link): the current extinction rate is now approaching
1,000 times the background rate and may climb to 10,000
times the background rate during the next century, if present
trends continue [resulting in] a loss that would easily equal
those of past extinctions. (Emphasis added)

A major report, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment,

released in March 2005 highlighted a substantial and largely
irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth, with some 10-
30% of the mammal, bird and amphibian species threatened
with extinction, due to human actions. The World Wide Fund
for Nature (WWF) added that Earth is unable to keep up in the
struggle to regenerate from the demands we place on it.
biodiversity
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes in a
video that many species are threatened with extinction. In addition,

At threat of extinction are

1 out of 8 birds
1 out of 4 mammals
1 out of 4 conifers
1 out of 3 amphibians
6 out of 7 marine turtles
75% of genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost
75% of the worlds fisheries are fully or over exploited
Up to 70% of the worlds known species risk extinction if the
global temperatures rise by more than 3.5C
1/3rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with
extinction
Over 350 million people suffer from severe water scarcity
biodiversity
Red list Proportion of all
assessed species in
different threat
categories of extinction
risk on the IUCN Red
List, based on data from
47,677 species. Source:
IUCN, pie chart
compiled by Secretariat
of the Convention on
Biological Diversity
(2010) Global
Biodiversity Outlook 3,
May 2010
biodiversity
Is explained in the UNs 3rd Global Biodiversity Outlook, the rate of biodiversity
loss has not been reduced because the 5 principle pressures on biodiversity are
persistent, even intensifying:

Habitat loss and degradation

Climate change
Excessive nutrient load and other forms of pollution
Over-exploitation and unsustainable use
Invasive alien species

Most governments report to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity that these

pressures are affecting biodiversity in their country (see p. 55 of the report).

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red
List to assess the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties, and even
selected subpopulations on a global scale.

Extinction risks out pace any conservation successes. Amphibians are the most at
risk, while corals have had a dramatic increase in risk of extinction in recent years.
biodiversity

Threat status of comprehensively assessed

species by IUCN. Source: IUCN, compiled by
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (2010) Global Biodiversity Outlook
3, May 2010, p. 28 (visit for larger image)
SPECIES
Amphibians are particularly sensitive to changes
in the environment. Amphibians have been
described as a marker species or the equivalent of
canaries of the coal mines meaning they
provide an important signal to the health of
biodiversity; when they are stressed and
struggling, biodiversity may be under pressure.
When they are doing well, biodiversity is probably
healthy.

Unfortunately, as has been feared for many years

now, amphibian species are declining at an
alarming rate.
ESPECIACIN
SPECIES
Malcom MacCallum of the Biological Sciences
Program, Texas A&M University calculated that the
current extinction rate of amphibians could be 211
times the background amphibian extinction rate
PDF formatted document.

He added that If current estimates of amphibian

species in imminent danger of extinction are
included in these calculations, then the current
amphibian extinction rate may range from 25,039
45,474 times the background extinction rate for
amphibians. It is difficult to explain this
unprecedented and accelerating rate of extinction
as a natural phenomenon. (Emphasis added)
SPECIES
The BBC reported on a global-scale study published in
the journal Science that found climate change could wipe
out 20% of the world's lizard species by 2080.

Global projection models used by the scientists suggested

that lizards have already crossed a threshold for
extinctions caused by climate change.

The fear of lowland species moving to higher elevations

has long been predicted as an effect of climate change.
This has been observed with lizard populations too, as the
leader of the research team told the BBC.

Why are lizards so sensitive to climate change? The BBC

summarizes:
SPECIES
More generally, 19% of the worlds reptiles are
estimated to be threatened with extinction, according
to a study by the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) and the Zoological Society of London.

Reptiles include species such as snakes, lizards,

crocodiles, turtles and tortoises.

The study noted that the extinction risk is not evenly

spread. For example, the study estimated 30% of
freshwater reptiles to be close to extinction.
Freshwater turtles alone are at a 50% risk of
extinction, as they are also affected by national and
international trade.
biodiversity
What is Ecotourism?
The Nature Conservancy adopts the definition articulated by
the World Conservation Union (IUCN):

"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order

to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural
features, both past and present) that promote conservation,
have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active
socio-economic involvement of local peoples."

Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is

not, therefore, sustainable. Ecotourism is distinguished by its
emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility
and active community participation. Specifically, ecotourism
possesses the following characteristics:
What is Ecotourism?
Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior
Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and
biodiversity
Support for local conservation efforts
Sustainable benefits to local communities
Local participation in decision-making
Educational components for both the traveler and local
communities

Increased tourism to sensitive natural areas without appropriate

planning and management can threaten the integrity of ecosystems
and local cultures. The increase of visitors to ecologically sensitive
areas can lead to significant environmental degradation. Likewise,
local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in
numerous ways by an influx of foreign visitors and wealth.
Additionally, fluctuations in climate, currency exchange rates, and
political and social conditions can make over-dependence upon
tourism a risky business.
bIODIVERSYTI
What is Ecotourism?

However, this same growth creates significant

opportunities for both conservation and local
communities. Ecotourism can provide much-needed
revenues for the protection of national parks and
other natural areas -- revenues that might not be
available from other sources.

Additionally, ecotourism can provide a viable

economic development alternative for local
communities with few other income-generating
options. Moreover, ecotourism can increase the
level of education and activism among travelers,
making them more enthusiastic and effective
agents of conservation.
Ara arauna Caracas sp.
BIODIVERSITY VALUES
VALUES
Direct values

The direct value include food resources like grains, vegetables, fruits which are
obtained from plant resources and meat, fish, egg, milk and milk products from
animal resources. These also include other values like medicine, fuel, timber,
fiber, wool, wax, resin, rubber, silk and decorative items.

The direct values are of two types (i) Consumptive use value and (ii) Productive
use value.

Consumptive use value: These are the direct use values where the biodiversity
products can be harvested and consumed directly. Example: Food, fuel and
drugs. These goods are consumed locally and do no figure in national and
international market.

(a) Food:

(i) Plants: The most fundamental value of biological resources particularly

plants is providing food. Basically three crops i.e. wheat, maize and rice
constitute more than two third of the food requirement all over the world.
BIODIVERSITY
(ii) Fish: Through the development of aquaculture, techniques, fish and fish
products have become the largest source of protein in the world.

(b) Fuel: Since ages forests have provided wood which is used as a fuel.
Moreover fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, natural gas are also product of
biodiversity which are directly consumed by humans.

(c) Drugs and medicines: The traditional medical practice like ayurveda utilizes
plants or their extracts directly. In allopathy, the pharmaceutical industry is much
more dependent on natural products. Many drugs are derived from plants like

(i) Quinine: The famous anti malaria drug is obtained from cinchona
tree.

(ii) Penicillin: A famous antibiotic is derived from pencillium, a fungus.

(iii) Tetracycline: It is obtained from bacterium.

(iv) Recently vinblastin and vincristine, two anti cancer drugs have been
obtained from catharanthus plant which has anti cancer alkaloids.
ECOSYTEM
VALUES
Productive use values: These are the direct use
values where the product is commercially sold in
national and international market. Many industries
are dependent upon these values. Example-
Textile, leather, silk, paper and pulp industry etc.
Although there is an international ban on trade of
products from endangered species like tusks of
elephants, wool from sheep, fur of many animals
etc. These are traded in market and fetch a
booming business.
Indirect values

Biodiversity provides indirect benefits to human

beings which support the existence of biological life
and other benefits which are difficult to quantify.
These include social and cultural values, ethical
values, aesthetic values, option values and
environment service values.

Social and cultural value: Many plants and animals

are considered holy and sacred in India and are
worshipped like Tulsi, peepal, cow, snake etc. In
Indian society great cultural value is given to forest
and as such tiger, peacock and lotus are named as
the national animal, bird and flower respectively.
VALUES
Ethical: These values are related to conservation of
biodiversity where ethical issue of all life forms must be
preserved is laid down. There is an existence value which
is attached to each species because biodiversity is
valuable for the survival of human race. Moreover all
species have a moral right to exist independent of our
need for them.

Aesthetic value: There is a great aesthetic value which is

attached to biodiversity. Natural landscapes at
undisturbed places are a delight to watch and also provide
opportunities for recreational activities like bird watching,
photography etc. It promotes eco-tourism which further
generates revenue by designing of zoological, botanical
gardens, national parks, wild life conservation etc.
Platalea ajaja
Option values:
Option values: These values include the unexplored or unknown potentials of
biodiversity.

Environment service values: The most important benefit of biodiversity is

maintenance of environment services which includes

(i) Carbon dioxide fixation through photosynthesis.

(ii) Maintaining of essential nutrients by carbon (C), oxygen (O),

Nitrogen (N), Sulphur (S), Phosphorus (P) cycles.

(iii) Maintaining water cycle and recharging of ground water.

(iv) Soil formation and protection from erosion.

(v) Regulating climate by recycling moisture into the atmosphere.

(vi) Detoxification and decomposition of waste.

Option values:
That is quite a lot of services we get for free!

The cost of replacing these (if possible) would be extremely

expensive. It therefore makes economic and development sense to
move towards sustainability.

A report from Nature magazine also explains that genetic diversity

helps to prevent the chances of extinction in the wild (and claims to
have shown proof of this).

To prevent the well known and well documented problems of genetic

defects caused by in-breeding, species need a variety of genes to
ensure successful survival. Without this, the chances of extinction
increases.

And as we start destroying, reducing and isolating habitats, the

chances for interaction from species with a large gene pool decreases
As an example, consider all the species of animals and organisms involved in a simple field used in agriculture.
As summarized from Vandana Shiva, Stolen Harvest (South End Press, 2000), pp 6162:

Crop byproducts feed cattle

Cattle waste feeds the soil that nourish the crops
Crops, as well as yielding grain also yield straw
Straw provides organic matter and fodder
Crops are therefore food sources for humans and animals
Soil organisms also benefit from crops
Bacteria feed on the cellulose fibers of straw that farmers return to the soil
Amoebas feed on bacteria making lignite fibers available for uptake by plants
Algae provide organic matter and serve as natural nitrogen fixers
Rodents that bore under the fields aerate the soil and improve its water-holding capacity
Spiders, centipedes and insects grind organic matter from the surface soil and leave behind enriched
droppings.
Earthworms contribute to soil fertility
They provide aerage, drainage and maintain soil structure.
According to Charles Darwin, It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have
played so important a part in the history of creatures.
The earthworm is like a natural tractor, fertilizer factory and dam, combined!
Industrial-farming techniques would deprive these diverse species of food sources and instead assault them
with chemicals, destroying the rich biodiversity in the soil and with it the basis for the renewal of the soil
fertility.

Shiva, a prominent Indian scientist and activist goes on to detail the costs associated with destroying this
natural diversity and traditional farming techniques which recognize this, and replacing this with industrial
processes which go against the nature of diversity sustainability.
More important than human use
or biological interest
Many people may support environmental causes to help
preserve the beauty of Nature. However, that is in a
strange way, not really a justifiable excuse as it is a
subjective, human or anthropomorphasized view.

For many decades, various environmentalists, biologists and

other scientists, have viewed the entire earth as a massive
living organism or system due to the interdependent nature
of all species within it. Some cultures have recognized this
kind of inter-relationship for a very long time. Some have
termed this Gaia.

While there are disagreements and differences on how this

works, it suggests that ecological balance and biodiversity
are crucial for all of earth, not just human
Putting an economic value on
biodiversity

It was noted earlier that ecosystems provide many services to

us, for free.
Although some dislike the thought of trying to put an economic
value on biodiversity (some things are just priceless), there
have been attempts to do so in order for people to understand
the magnitude of the issue: how important the environment is
to humanity and what costs and benefits there can be in doing
(or not doing) something.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is an
organization backed by the UN and various European
governments attempting to compile, build and make a
compelling economics case for the conservation of ecosystems
and biodiversity.
In a recent report, The Economics of Ecosystems and
Biodiversity for National and International Policy Makers 2009,
TEEB provided the following example of sectors dependent on
genetic resources:
Putting an economic value on
biodiversity

Sector Size of Market Comment

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for National and Internat
ional Policy Makers 2009
, p.17
25-50% derived from
Pharmaceutical US$ 640 bn. (2006)
genetic resources
Many products derived
US$ 70 bn. (2006)
from genetic resources
Biotechnology from public companies
(enzymes,
alone
microorganisms)
All derived from
Agricultural seeds US$ 30 bn. (2006)
genetic resources
US$ 22 bn. (2006) for
herbal supplements Some products
Personal care,
US$ 12 bn. (2006) for derived from genetic
Botanical and food &
personal care resources. represents
Beverage industries
US$ 31 bn. (2006) for natural compone
food products
Putting an economic
value on biodiversity
In addition, it is estimated that implementing REDD (Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Forest Degradation) could help

Halve deforestation by 2030, and

Cut emissions by 1.5 Gt of CO2 per year.

From a cost perspective (p.18), it is estimated that

It would cost from US$ 17.2 33 billion per year

The estimated benefit in reduced climate change is US$ 3.2 trillion
The above would be a good return on the initial investment. By contrast,
waiting 10 more years could reduce the net benefit of halving deforestation
by US$ 500 billion.

In addition, they cited another study that estimated that 3,000 listed
companies around the world were responsible for over $2 trillion in
environmental externalities (i.e. costs that have to be borne by society from
ignored factors, or social costs). This is equivalent to 7% of their combined
revenues and up to a third of their combined profits.
Putting an economic
value on biodiversity

Using latest figures

available, in 2005,
the wealthiest 20%
of the world
accounted for 76.6%
of total private
consumption. The
poorest fifth just
1.5%:
Breaking that down slightly further, the poorest 10%
accounted for just 0.5% and the wealthiest 10%
accounted for 59% of all the consumption:
BIODIVERSIDAD
El valor cientfico. Si se conociera mejor el
funcionamiento de los ecosistemas y de los seres
vivos, se podra realizar un uso ms racional de los
recursos biolgicos.
El valor tico. Las personas deben respetar la
naturaleza. Hay que evitar las acciones humanas que
pongan en peligro a los seres vivos y que no tengan en
cuenta la preservacin de los recursos para las futuras
generaciones.
El valor esttico o recreativo. Los paseos y las
excursiones tambin representan un bien que ofrece la
naturaleza.

BIODIVERSIDAD
Dado que los anlisis coste-beneficio se
realizan en trminos monetarios, se plantea
la necesidad de hacer una valoracin
monetaria de los ecosistemas y la
biodiversidad.
Tres son los argumentos que comnmente se
manejan, de modo no excluyente entre ellos,
para justificare sta necesidad de expresar en
trminos monetarios el valor de los
ecosistemas y la biodiversidad:
BIODIVERSIDAD
1.Un supuesto pragmatismo o realismo poltico
(realpolitik), que se basa en la idea de que la
expresin monetaria de los ecosistemas y la
biodiversidad es necesaria para comunicar su valor
alpblico y a los responsables de las decisiones
(polticos, empresarios, etc.), unida a la creencia de
que no hay otras alternativas mejores. Este argumento
es usado con mucha frecuencia por cientficos de
ciencias naturales, as como por gestores y polticos.

BIODIVERSIDAD
2.Un idealismo poltico y econmico, basado en fe
en el mercado y la filosofa poltica neoliberal, que
ve en la expresin de los valores en el mercado el
modo ms eficiente de gestin de los ecosistemas
y la biodiversidad. Este argumento es usado con
frecuencia por empresarios y polticos.
BIODIVERSIDAD
3.Una suerte de supuesto empirismo cientfico,
que entiende que la valoracin monetaria refleja
los valores reales basados en las denominadas
preferencias de los individuos, de acuerdo con
la teora econmica ortodoxa. Suele ser el
argumento de ciertos economistas
QUE ES EL VALOR DE LA BIODIVERSIDAD

TODO NECIO CONFUNDE VALOR

Y PRECIO
ANTONIO MACHADO
BIODIVERSIDAD
LAS ESPECIACION SE DA EN DOS FASES:
GEOGRAFICAMENTE AISLADA
REPRODUCCION AISLADA
BIODIVERSIDAD
Riqueza de especies
Es una medida para ver la biodiversidad de un
lugar, el numero de especies por espacios.
riqueza de especies
BIODIVERSIDAD
CUAL ECOSISTEMAS TENDRAN MAS ESPECIES ?
LA ZONA DEL ARTICO
LOS PAISES QUE TIENEN LAS CUATRO ESTACIONES
LOS PAISES QUE ESTAN EN LA LINEA ECUATORIAL
CUALES SERAN