What is a primary benefit of biodiversity?

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in the health and stability of ecosystems. One of its primary benefits is greater resilience to environmental changes. When an ecosystem has a wide range of species, it is better equipped to withstand stressors such as climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. This is due to the various roles different species play; if one species is affected by a change, others may fulfill similar roles, allowing the ecosystem to continue functioning effectively.

Furthermore, diverse ecosystems tend to have a wider range of genetic diversity, which can enable populations to adapt to new environmental conditions or diseases. Such resilience is vital for maintaining ecosystem services that humans rely on, such as clean water, pollination of crops, and disease regulation. In contrast, ecosystems with lower biodiversity may struggle to recover from disruptions, potentially leading to collapse or significant loss of functions.