How biodiversity keeps us alive

In 1994, a scientific study regarding the amount of vegetable yield given several identical patches
of land was conducted. In this case, the variable of interest was the number of species of grass
present in any given patch of soil. The research was innovative because both the short term and
the long-term amounts were measured, and while there were a big number of articles on the
subject regarding short-term outcomes, none at the time explored the results for times longer
than two years.

The results were astounding. While the data for the short term showed that the patches had no
difference in yield, measurements after two years revealed differences of upwards of 40 percent,
being the most biodiverse patches the ones with the most efficient crops. In other words, the
sections of soil that had more species of grass present produced vegetables more efficiently.

Because of these results, the authors felt compelled to replicate their research in different systems
and arrived to the conclusion that just a small decrease in any given ecosystem’s biodiversity could
have a great impact in that system’s ability to produce life.

Consequently, the researchers gave a strong warning to the general population. They claimed that
life as we know it can not continue to exist if humanity keeps on destroying forests and jungles in
its quest for cultivable soil. Actions must be taken if we want to ensure that future generations will
be able to sustain themselves in the manner that we currently are doing so.

In conclusion, we have a great task ahead of us. Humanity must find a way to supply itself with a
sufficient quantity of food to sustain an evergrowing population while maintaining the balance of
all the different ecosystems, lest we destroy earth’s capacity to support ourselves.