Nature’s invisible connections and contributions to us: How biodiversity secures our future of food
One person has curly hair; one person has straight hair. One person tans, another burns. One person can curl her lip, another can’t. This is all because of our genes and the differences in them. Diversity. It is the spice of life.
Just like our own differences, plants and animals have differences too, ones that we may or may not see. One variety of rice, for example, is more resistant to flooding than another. One breed of cattle can withstand drought where another can’t. This is all thanks to biodiversity.
Biodiversity signifies the variety of plant and animal life in the world. It includes genetic, species and ecosystem variety. When there is a rich diversity of species, habitats and genetics, ecosystems are healthier, more productive and can better adapt to challenges like climate change.
