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VICEnvironmental ScienceQuick questions
Unit 3: How can biodiversity and development be sustained?
Quick questions on Types of value of biodiversity (ecological, economic, social, intrinsic, instrumental): VCE Environmental Science Unit 3
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is ecological value?Show answer
Ecological value is the contribution biodiversity makes to keeping ecosystems stable, resilient and functioning. Diverse ecosystems are more resistant to disturbance and recover faster, because if one species declines, others can take over its role.
What is economic value?Show answer
Economic value is the worth of biodiversity as a source of resources and services that can be measured in money. It includes direct value (products harvested and sold, such as fish, timber and crops) and indirect value (services such as pollination, water purification and coastal protection that would cost a fortune to replace artificially).
What is social value?Show answer
Social value is the contribution biodiversity makes to human society and quality of life beyond direct economic measures. It includes recreation, mental and physical health, aesthetic enjoyment, education, scientific knowledge, and cultural and spiritual significance.
What is intrinsic value?Show answer
Intrinsic value is the value something has in itself, simply because it exists, independent of any usefulness to humans. Under this view a species deserves protection even if it provides no resource, service or recreation.
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