THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
Around 50,000 alien species of plants and animals have colonized North America.
It is crucial to keep noncontributing alien species from displacing the native plants and animals that play a critical role in the ecosystem. This is best done by maintaining a full diversity of native organisms in an ecosystem. A diverse ecosystem has more niches filled by competing organisms and is able to more successfully resist invasion by alien species.
Biodiversity is a national treasure that we have abused. Now that we know the consequences of habitat destruction, we must behave more responsibly toward the plants and animals on which we depend. We must manage our biodiversity just as we manage our water resources, our clean air, and our energy. Fortunately, biodiversity is a renewable resource that is relatively easy to increase. By choosing native plants, we can all contribute.
