Biodiversity describes the variety of life on Earth and is essential to our quality of life. We rely on biodiversity to provide us with a number of essential ecological goods and services including food, waste treatment, climate regulation, and clean air and water. We also benefit economically from biodiversity – fisheries, forestry, and wildlife-related recreation are an integral part of our economy. High levels of biodiversity are also associated with greater ecosystem stability. The more intact or undisturbed an ecosystem is, the more likely it will be able to support a diversity of plant and animal species. The more diverse an ecosystem is, the better it is able to cope with environmental stresses, such as floods and droughts.