Biodiversity Saves Lives
11/12/97
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Headline: Biodiversity Saves Lives
Source: United Press International
Date: 11/12/97
Byline: Lidia Wasowicz, UPI Science Writer
Copyright 1997 by United Press International
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Here's another reason to keep the
world diverse.
Rutgers University scientists in New Brunswick, N.J., say Wednesday
in the British journal Nature their studies confirm the importance of
biodiversity to the preservation of ecosystems. They say their research
shows how the loss of diversity influences such ecosystem functions as
respiration, decomposition of organic material and resistance to
invasion.
Using a community of rapidly reproducing microorganisms as a model,
the team confirmed previous experiments that showed how species richness
can buffer an ecosystem against the effects of changes, such as drought.
Lead study author Peter Morin sums up the findings, ``We found
enhanced biodiversity among aquatic microbiological communities reduces
the variability of some ecosystem processes, lending further support to
arguments for preserving biodiversity.''
In their study, the researchers examined the repercussions of a
decline of the variety of species on an ecosystem. By simulating species
loss from a community that had been rich in diversity, they were able to
examine how such a decrease in biodiversity influenced various ecosystem
functions necessary to its healthy survival.
Says Morin, ``The experiment shows species richness can buffer an
ecosystem against the effects of external factors. It also shows systems
with more species have properties that are easier to predict.''
Among those properties is the ability of an ecosystem to fend off
harmful invaders -- which increases along with a rise in diversity.
Co-researcher Jill McGrady-Steed says, ``Ecologists have long been
concerned about the potential consequences of reduced biological
diversity in natural systems. Our research shows various ecosystem
services decline as biodiversity declines.''