Why is Biodiversity Important? Ecological Society of America 02.01.01 The diversity of life enriches the quality of our lives in ways that are not easy to quantify. Biodiversity is intrinsically valuable and is important for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Some consider that it is an important human responsibility to be stewards for the rest of the world's living organisms.     Diversity breeds diversity. Having a diverse array of living organisms allows other organisms to take advantage of the resources provided. For example, trees provide habitat and nutrients for birds, insects, other plants and animals, fungi, and microbes.     Humans have always depended on the Earth's biodiversity for food, shelter, and health. Biological resources that provide goods for human use include:     food-species that are hunted, fished, and gathered, as well as those cultivated for agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture;   shelter and warmth-timber and other forest products and fibers such as wool and cotton;   medicines-both traditional medicines and those synthesized from biological resources and processes.  CLICK HERE for more information! Prepared by the Ecology Society of America   1707 H St., NW   Suite 400   Washington, DC 20006 ©2001 The Aurora Collection, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Site Development by: Interactive Multimedia. Inc.