Wikipedia says that there are currently 7.500 different types of Apples. One would think that’s a lot, especially since most super markets only offer three or five different brands (how many can you name from memory?). According to some articles / sources we had over 10.000 or even 20.000 varieties not just a hundred years ago.

The problem of loosing bio diversity is very serious. Some varieties have genes that might withstand a new illness or virus that threatens a specific plant or animal.

Sounds to scientific to you? Just remember that we still don’t know what is killing bees in such huge numbers in the US and Europe. if we would loose some more bees plant pollination would be insufficient and food production would be greatly reduced. Hanger and starvation would be result for man and animals.

Another example: lets say a new fungus develops that kills most of the rice crops in Asia. A huge famine would be the result.

So we need bio diversity to ensure that some plants and animals are resistant to some threats - so we can cross breeds these species with weaker ones.

Every species and variety we loose is a direct threat to our own survival.