Q30.4-1CC - Campbell Biology

Question

Explain why plant diversity can be considered a nonrenewable resource.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The diversity of plants can be denoted as a non-renewable resource because the loss related to the extinction of a plant species is permanent and cannot be reversed or replenished.

Step 1: Benefits from plants

The members of the Kingdom Plantae are beneficial to humankind and other organisms in several ways. Apart from the generation of oxygen and food production, plants are known for providing timber, medicinal drugs, shelter, and other usable compounds such as gum.

Different species of plants are known for different benefits, which makes the species diversity of the plant kingdom a resource.

Step 2: Renewable and non-renewable resources

The term resources generally relate to any substance obtained through nature or an organism and used for survival. A resource is considered to be renewable if its supply is continuous or can be replenished in a short span.

Non-renewable resources have a limited supply, and the resources cannot be replenished or require millions of years for replenishment.

Step 3: Diversity of plants as a non-renewable resource

The plants are a source of diverse resources, and not all species can provide all resources. Specific products are related to specific plant species, and if a plant species become extinct, the resource associated with it also gets lost permanently. This makes the diversity of plants a non-renewable resource.