The diversity of plants and animals in local environments greatly influences our understanding of nature and the types of uses in several ways including:
Biodiversity: The presence of a wide range of plant and animal species in an ecosystem indicates its biodiversity. Areas of high biodiversity are valued as tourist attractions and it is important that measures are put in place to limit the impact we have on these environments.
Ecological Services: Different species play unique roles in ecosystems, providing services such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control. Having an understanding of these will allow decision makers to preserve and protect plants or animals in an environment.
Adaptations: Plants and animals have evolved diverse adaptations to thrive in specific environmental conditions. Certain endemic species play an important part in an environment and must be protected and/ or rehabilitated to allow them to continue in an area. For example, the Wollemi Pine was long thought to be extinct and was only recently found in very isolated areas of the Blue Mountains of NSW. There are only about 100 trees found in the wild. Efforts are being made to reduce human contact with these tress, and at the same time they are being grown and sold in nurseries to ensure that they continue to grow.
Indicator Species: Certain species are particularly sensitive to environmental changes and serve as indicators of ecosystem health. Monitoring the presence and abundance of these species in local environments can help detect disturbances such as pollution, habitat degradation, or climate change, informing conservation efforts. Frogs are probably the most well known indicator species.
Cultural and Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous communities often have rich traditional knowledge about local plants and animals, including their uses for food, medicine, and cultural practices. Integrating this knowledge with scientific understanding enhances our appreciation of the interconnectedness between humans and nature. An example of this is the rise in the use of foods such as lemon myrtle, finger limes and quandongs.
