What is biodiversity?
Introduction
Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life on Earth at all its levels and includes genes to ecosystems, as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain it (Cardinale, 2012). The Earth’s biodiversity has long been a source of wonderment and scientific curiosity, but is increasingly becoming a source of concern. The sheer diversity of life is of inestimable value. Biodiversity has a number of functions on Earth, from providing a foundation for the continued existence of a healthy planet, to our own well-being, as well as an economic value (Cardinale, 2012). Arguments concerning the value of biodiversity have been divided into those that are either non-utilitarian or utilitarian (Ostfeld, 2000). Non-utilitarian perspective puts emphasis on the ethical values of nature. Individual species and ecosystems are viewed as having ‘intrinsic values’ regardless of their possible utilitarian values (Ostfeld, 2000). On the other hand, the utilitarian approach puts emphasis on species and ecosystems as …show more content…
One of important things to note about the Lyme disease epidemic is the role that white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) have in the transmission of the disease. P. leucopus plays a key role, because it is a natural reservoir for the Lyme spirochete (Ostfeld, 2000). White footed mice are extreme habitat and dietary generalists, and typically are among the most abundant vertebrates within species rich and poor communities in Eastern and Central US (Ostfeld, 2000). Given the presumed advantageous effects of forest fragmentation on white-footed mice abundance, Ostfeld (2000) coined the term “dilution effect” as the mechanism behind the spread of Lyme disease. According to the dilution effect model tested by LoGiudice (2002), when the species diversity
Introduction
Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life on Earth at all its levels and includes genes to ecosystems, as well as the ecological and evolutionary processes that sustain it (Cardinale, 2012). The Earth’s biodiversity has long been a source of wonderment and scientific curiosity, but is increasingly becoming a source of concern. The sheer diversity of life is of inestimable value. Biodiversity has a number of functions on Earth, from providing a foundation for the continued existence of a healthy planet, to our own well-being, as well as an economic value (Cardinale, 2012). Arguments concerning the value of biodiversity have been divided into those that are either non-utilitarian or utilitarian (Ostfeld, 2000). Non-utilitarian perspective puts emphasis on the ethical values of nature. Individual species and ecosystems are viewed as having ‘intrinsic values’ regardless of their possible utilitarian values (Ostfeld, 2000). On the other hand, the utilitarian approach puts emphasis on species and ecosystems as …show more content…
One of important things to note about the Lyme disease epidemic is the role that white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) have in the transmission of the disease. P. leucopus plays a key role, because it is a natural reservoir for the Lyme spirochete (Ostfeld, 2000). White footed mice are extreme habitat and dietary generalists, and typically are among the most abundant vertebrates within species rich and poor communities in Eastern and Central US (Ostfeld, 2000). Given the presumed advantageous effects of forest fragmentation on white-footed mice abundance, Ostfeld (2000) coined the term “dilution effect” as the mechanism behind the spread of Lyme disease. According to the dilution effect model tested by LoGiudice (2002), when the species diversity