the value of biodiversity

1- Biodiversity and Conservation: A Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant

"The origin, nature and value of biological diversity, the threats to its continued existence, and approaches to preserving what is left."

Table of Contents (with links to each chapter):

http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/Titlpage.htm#Table of contents

Chapter 7: VALUES OF BIODIVERSITY:

http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~sustain/bio65/lec07/b65lec07.htm 

"It is important to be able to clearly define the reasons for believing in conservation, if we are to justify it in the face of increasing threats to species survival.  One way to identify the reasons is to look at what we derive from biological diversity, and what we will lose as a result of species extinction."

2- Biodiversity and its value

http://www.erin.gov.au/life/general_info/op1.html

"This paper outlines what biodiversity is, and the three levels at which it is uaually defined: genetic, species and ecosystem. Most importantly, this paper explains why biodiversity is important. The range of invaluable ecosystem services provided by biodiversity are described, as are the values of biological resources such as timber and food and the range of social and cultural values of biodiversity. To conclude, the paper describes the value of biodiversity itself."

3- The Value of Biodiversity

http://www.conservation.org/web/fieldact/C-C_PROG/POLICY/biovalue.htm

"Placing a value on biodiversity and the Earth's ecosystems is a discipline still in its infancy. Commonly, discussions of the values of biodiversity revolve around its future potential for biotechnology and new pharmaceuticals, or a handful of products from the tropics that are traded internationally. However, the real benefits of biodiversity are fare more extensive."

4- Economic valuation of wetlands: a guide for policy makers and planners

Table of Contents

http://www.iucn.org/themes/ramsar/lib_val_e_index.htm#table

With links to each chapter:
1. Background to the global wetlands management problem
2. Why valuation?
3. An appraisal framework for wetland valuation
4. Valuation in practice
5. Guidance Notes: the practicalities of planning and conducting a valuation study
6. Recommendations
Appendices
1. Wetland components, functions and attributes and their human uses
2. Comparison of economic appraisal methods
3. Advantages and disadvantages of valuation techniques used in the economic appraisal of wetlands

5- Why Should We Protect Species?

http://www.afternet.com/~teal/whysave.html

"An Endangered Species Act provides protection to species in danger of extinction in the recognition that they are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to a Nation and its people. A dollar value can be placed on just some of these benefits. The value of the other benefits rests on each individual's sense of the importance of biological diversity in the present and the future."

6- Biodiversity Conservation Network:

http://bcnet.org/why/biodvr2.htm

Facts on the Foundation of Life
Why should we care about biodiversity?

7- The Multifaceted Aspects of Ecosystem Integrity

http://www.consecol.org/Journal/vol1/iss1/art3/

Topics:
•Abstract •Introduction •Ecosystem Integrity •Why Preserve Biodiversity? •Assigning Economic Value •Managing and Mismanaging Ecosystems •Conclusion •Responses •Literature Cited

8- The Case For Saving Species:

http://www.defenders.org/case01.html

Scientists Explain Why We Should Stop Squandering Nature's Riches

9- Do We Still Need Nature?

The Importance of Biological Diversity

http://gcrio.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/vol3no1/biodiversity.html

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