Insight
Nature 405, 208-211 (11 May 2000) | doi:10.1038/35012217
Causes, consequences and ethics of biodiversity
David Tilman
The existence of so great a diversity of species on Earth remains a mystery, the solution to which may also explain why and how biodiversity influences the functioning of ecosystems. The answer may lie in quantifying the trade-offs that organisms face in dealing with the constraints of their environment. Societal responses to the loss of biodiversity also involve trade-offs, and the elaboration of these will be essential in developing wiser environmental ethics and policy.