• The biodiversity of an area includes 3 components.

• Genetic diversity measures the variation in genetic makeup of populations.

• Species diversity comprises species richness and species evenness.

• Ecological diversity counts the variety of ecosystems that provide different habitats and niches for organisms.

• Scientists have described about 1.8 million species on earth.

The most numerous groups are insects at 1 million known species and plants at 310,000 species.

Note that most of the insect species may yet to be discovered, while plants and vertebrates have mostly been described.

Our knowledge of bacteria is scant: we probably know less than 1% of these microscopic organisms.

• Our knowledge of endangered species is far from perfect.

About half of all species listed as endangered are plants.

We tend to study large plants and vertebrates that are of economic or health importance to humans.

• A diverse, balanced ecosystem provides many ecosystem services for human society.

• Cultural benefits include aesthetic and recreational activities where humans enjoy the intrinsic value of nature.

• Human provisions include food, textiles, fuel, and pharmaceuticals.

• Ecosystem regulation encompasses the complex web of community interactions that keep nutrient cycles in balance and maintains our environment within livable limits.

• Many of our medicines are derived from plant chemicals.

• Digoxin is a cardiac drug from Foxglove flower
• Morphine is a pain medication from Opium flower
• Cobroxin is a pain medication from Cobra venom
• Taxol is a cancer drug from Pacific Yew
• Penicillin is an antibiotic from Penicillium fungus

Losing species would be humanity's loss of many undiscovered secrets nature can offer.