“before the American chestnut disappeared, it made up 25% of all of the hardwood forests in the Appalachians, the main mountain range in the eastern United States. The disappearance of the chestnut tree had several negative consequences for the people in this region. Previously, their houses had been built out of chestnut wood. They had relied on the trees for nuts. They had sold the lumber from the trees to make money to support themselves and their families.”
How does this support my claim that biodiversity has significant economic value.
This information supports the claim that biodiversity has significant economic value by highlighting the various ways in which the American chestnut tree's disappearance had negative consequences for the people in the region.
Firstly, the fact that their houses had been built out of chestnut wood demonstrates that the availability of diverse tree species provided a valuable resource for construction purposes. Losing the chestnut tree resulted in a scarcity of suitable wood for building homes, potentially leading to increased costs or the need to import alternative materials. This indicates that biodiversity, in this case, played a crucial role in supporting the local economy through the provision of construction materials.
Secondly, the reliance on chestnut trees for nuts suggests that the disappearance of this species impacted the availability of an important food source for the people in the region. This reliance on diverse species for sustenance highlights the economic value of biodiversity in terms of supporting livelihoods and food security.
Lastly, the economic impact is further emphasized by the fact that the local communities used to sell the lumber from chestnut trees to generate income and support themselves and their families. The decline of the chestnut tree would have directly affected their ability to earn money and sustain their livelihoods. This demonstrates that biodiversity, in this case, was directly linked to economic activities and the well-being of the local community.
Overall, these examples illustrate how the disappearance of a single tree species had significant economic repercussions for the people in the region, highlighting the importance and economic value of biodiversity in providing various resources and supporting local economies.
This passage supports the claim that biodiversity has significant economic value because it demonstrates the economic benefits that were derived from the presence of the American chestnut tree.
To explain how to get this answer, here's the breakdown:
1. Read the provided passage carefully. Understand that the American chestnut tree, which used to make up 25% of the Appalachian hardwood forests, disappeared.
2. Identify the specific economic benefits mentioned in the passage: houses built out of chestnut wood, reliance on chestnut nuts, and selling lumber for income.
3. Connect these economic benefits to the broader concept of biodiversity. Recognize that the presence of diverse species, like the American chestnut, can contribute to the local economy in various ways.
4. Formulate an answer explaining how this passage supports the claim that biodiversity has significant economic value. Emphasize that the presence and disappearance of the American chestnut tree had economic consequences, showcasing how biodiversity can be directly linked to economic benefits.
The given information can support the claim that biodiversity has significant economic value in the following ways:
1. Economic dependence on the chestnut tree: The fact that people in the Appalachian region relied on the chestnut tree for building houses, obtaining nuts, and selling lumber highlights the economic importance of the tree's existence. This dependency on the tree's various resources demonstrates the economic value that biodiversity can provide to local communities.
2. Loss of income: With the disappearance of the American chestnut, the people who were reliant on selling its lumber lost a valuable source of income. This indicates that the presence and availability of diverse species can contribute to economic opportunities and livelihoods, emphasizing the economic significance of biodiversity.
3. Impact on local economy: The fact that the chestnut tree made up 25% of all hardwood forests in the Appalachians suggests that its disappearance would have had a significant economic impact on the overall region. This underscores the importance of maintaining biodiversity to ensure the stability and sustainability of local economies.
Overall, the disappearance of the American chestnut and its subsequent negative consequences for the people in the Appalachian region demonstrate the economic value of biodiversity by highlighting the reliance on diverse species for various economic activities and the potential economic losses associated with biodiversity loss.