Biodiversity is one of the driving of sustainable development. It performs functions that are vital to all forms of life and provides us with essential services:
- It is a source of food and provides us with raw materials (Materials and Fuels)
- It help to maintain water, air and soil quality and to prevent or contain the spread of disease through its ability to purify and regulate. It is therefore a source of public health
- It helps mitigates the effects of drought and flooding
- It provides significant spiritual, aesthetic and social enrichment.