Question

Explain the narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian and ethical arguments in favor of conservation of biodiversity.

Answer 1

Hint: Biodiversity describes the combined diversity at all levels of biological organization. Narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian and ethical arguments are three categories to group the conservation of biodiversity.

Complete answer:
The narrowly utilitarian arguments for conserving biodiversity are described as humans taking direct economic benefits from nature like food, firewood, fiber, construction material, industrial products, and products of medicinal importance. The economic or utilitarian values of biodiversity explain the dependence of man on biodiversity for its resources. 25000 species of plants contribute more than 25% of the drugs to the traditional medicines used by native people around the world.
The broadly utilitarian argument described as biodiversity plays a major role in many ecosystem services that nature provides. Broadly utilitarian mainly explains the broad and general use of biodiversities like oxygen, pollination, and aesthetic value which is not limited to particular species. The fast dwindling Amazon forest is estimated to produce, through photosynthesis, 20 percent of the total oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere.
The ethical argument for conserving biodiversity mainly describes what we owe to millions of plant, animal, and microbe species with whom we share this planet. It explains that all species are interdependent so the loss of one species may affect the other member of the community. Humans should live within the same ecological limitations as other organisms survive. So, we need to know that every species has its intrinsic value, even if it may not be of any economic value to us, it has its importance in biodiversity. We also have a moral duty to care for their well-being, conserve them for the future and pass on our biological legacy in good order to future generations.

Note:
- Dwindling refers to the gradual diminishing of resources in biodiversity.
- Amazon forest is estimated to produce, 20 percent of the total oxygen through photosynthesis, in the earth’s atmosphere