Why is ecosystem biodiversity important?

Biological resources account for at least 40% of the global economy and 80% of the needs of the poor. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the more opportunities for medical discovery, economic development, and adaptive responses to emerging challenges such as climate change.

The number of species of plants, animals and microorganisms, the huge variety of genes of these species, the various ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs, are part of the biologically diverse Earth.