Nature's Benefits in Kenya: An Atlas of Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
World Resources Institute
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Abstract: Biodiversity, which includes variation at the level of genes, species, and entire ecosystems, is a necessary condition for ecosystems to function. The type and quantity of services people receive from ecosystems depend on the particular assemblages of plants, animals, and microorganisms present in a given ecosystem. Moreover, options for growing improved crop varieties or for obtaining genetic materials to develop new medicines depend strongly on the diversity of life forms supported by the surrounding environment. While it is relatively straightforward to monitor changes in the provision of individual ecosystem services, ecologists understand far less about how to optimize a bundle of diverse ecosystem services and ensure that ecosystems can continue to provide these services over the long term. Studies indicate a relationship between the level of biodiversity, the types and quantities of specific ecosystem services, and the stability (sometimes referred to as resilience) of the system to provide these services. For example, scientists now know that grasslands containing greater numbers of plant species are often more productive and more capable of surviving periods of drought (Tilman et al. 1996). Studies have also demonstrated that greater biodiversity can act as a barrier to invasion by disruptive alien species (Kennedy et al. 2002).