Individual components of biodiversity provide an unbeliev able wide range of products that are used to enhance the lives of people in all countries of the world. It is the diversity of the resource base, due to the existence of a range of biological resources that has enabled the present high quality of life for humans. Biodiversity underlies the wealth of raw materials for:
· direct harvesting of food from the wild and from cultivation ranging from basic subsistence farming to sophisticated agricultural systems,
· medicines to combat diseases and pests that threaten human health, agriculture and animal husbandry,
· industry that provides humans with essential and luxury items including clothing, construction, timber and wood products, etc.