Biodiversity protects systems from collapse while monocultures die wholesale under disease.
Evidence
But in a monoculture struck with disease, everything dies. Also, biodiversity means that nature can find the species that is suited to every ecological niche. Sometimes, humans help that process along. Indigenous Peoples have developed endless varieties of crops suited to the varying ecosystems in which they live. It is estimated, for example, that the Inca and other Andean farmers had at least 3,500 kinds of potatoes, each one suited to particular elevation and microclimate, and having specific uses (Apffel-Marglin & PRATEC, 1998, p. 3). — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education, 1418
Categorization
- XREF: Directly instantiates the book’s ch5 ‘difference is a generative relationship’ claim and its diversity/resilience thread in an empirical (potato) case. — connects to: The Green Revolution’s yield gains depend on monocultures that destroy local farming knowledge. — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 1422; Ecosystem resilience increases with species diversity against species loss — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 314; Monoculture management and fire exclusion promote insect-induced vegetation mortality — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 1582 (+4 more)
- ADDENDUM: The seed commons and monoculture material connects to ‘Grafting & Growth’ framing and to the enclosure thread traced in ch33-34.
- recurring: this claim recurs 2 times within its source
Broader Connections
- Monoculture management and fire exclusion promote insect-induced vegetation mortality
#expands(0.85) — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 1582 - Suppressing disturbance makes ecosystems more vulnerable to catastrophe
#exemplifies(0.85) — S. T. A. Pickett and P. S. White, eds., The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and…, 2073 - Ecological interdependence makes species destruction endanger all life including humans
#expands(0.80) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2519