The benefits of biodiversity

Biodiversity is fundamental in our everyday lives. The earth’s living systems, called ecosystems, underpin all human life and activities. The benefits they provide are called ‘ecosystem goods and services’, and these are vital to sustaining wellbeing and future economic and social development.

For instance, the oxygen we breathe is produced by plants. Fungi and invertebrates help make the soil we grow our crops in. Bacteria help break down our waste. Biodiversity provides us with the food we eat as well as the materials in our everyday lives, such as textiles, fuel and timber products. Most of our medicines have their origins in biodiversity.

Ecosystem services include carbon sequestration, flood alleviation, water purification, pollution filtration, climate regulation, pollination of our crops, erosion control. In an urban greenspace setting, such services can be provided by raingardens, trees and meadows. 

A healthy, biodiverse environment is better able to provide us with these goods and services. It is also more resilient and adaptive to threats and pressures, such as extremes in weather resulting from climate change. 

A high-quality, biodiverse greenspace has been shown to benefit our physical and mental wellbeing. It offers recreational opportunity and emotional enrichment. 

Statistics suggest 40% of tourism spending in Scotland is on nature-based activities, and the value of wildlife tourism is estimated at over £270 million. For example, the University’s Highland cows have become a popular visitor attraction, and proceeds are going back into management of the herd.

A biodiverse environment therefore provides us with multiple benefits which impact our quality of life.