SUBJECT: Values for humanity
AUTHOR: LYDIA IGNATIADES
DATE: 16th April 2003

Marine biodiversity matters because its values for humanity are very important : food, drugs, renewable energy, oxygen levels in the atmosphere, industrial materials, transportation and recreation are among the major values that can be devaluated along with the loss of biodiversity. The present unknown is the impact of human activities on biodiversity such as patterns of natural resource consumption, pollution as well as species introduction and loss. The sequences and losses of not knowing the importance of biodiversity might have dramatic effects on the marine ecosystem and therefore, on the well-being of humanity.

A contribution by:

Lydia Ignatiades
Institute of Biology (Demokritos)
Postal address AGHIA PARASKEVI
15310 ATHENS
Greece