Maintenance of ecosystems

Ecosystem relationships resemble a web of connections from one living thing to many other living and non-living things. They not only allow survival, but also maintain a balance between living things and the resources (such as food and shelter) they need to survive. Vegetation is integral to the maintenance of water and humidity levels and is essential for the maintenance of the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance of the atmosphere. Due to the complex nature of ecosystem relationships, the removal or disturbance of one part of the ecosystem could affect the functioning of many other components of the ecosystem. Our knowledge of these relationships is incomplete, and the results of disturbance are thus to some extent unpredictable.

Maintaining natural habitats helps ecosystem functions over a wider area. Natural habitats afford sanctuary to breeding populations of birds and other predators which help control insect pests in agricultural areas, thus reducing the need for, and cost of natural artificial control measures. Birds and nector loving insects roost and breed in natural habitats may range some distance and pollinate crops and native flora in surrounding areas.