Diversity and biological balance may influence the functioning and stability of ecological systems. Scientists generally agree that as the number of species in any particular type of ecological system declines, that system can potentially lose its resilience. Ecosystems weakened by the loss of biodiversity are less resilient to climate change. In turn, climate change degrades habitats, further accelerating threats to species' survival. Complex ecosystems are more resilient i.e., have a better ability to tolerate and recover. The main and most important factors in ecosystem resilience are namely: redundancy and modularity. Ecological redundancy is the functional compensation due to several species which perform similar functions in an ecosystem.

1. Protect the health of natural ecosystems Protected green areas and water bodies provide critical ecosystem services. Cities can preserve biodiversity by creating green corridors and linear parks that connect green spaces within the city, supporting healthy biodiversity and maintaining these important ecosystems.

2. Improve air quality Due to the intense use of fossil fuels in automotive vehicles, air quality is a challenge in many cities and a priority for many local governments. Biodiversity can help improve air quality by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen, reducing the incidence of respiratory problems such as asthma.

3. Ensure higher quality and availability of water in aquifers and reservoirs By preserving biodiversity in cities, cities can reduce asphalted areas and increase permeable stretches. As a result, rainwater is able to penetrate the soil and gradually reach aquifers and reservoirs. Roots also function as a natural filter, reducing the amount of sediment and impurities that arrive in the reservoirs.

4. Protect from landslides and reduce risk of erosion Degraded areas that have lost their vegetation cover are exposed and vulnerable to direct rain and strong winds. These meteorological events impoverish the soil through leaching, displace sediments and destabilize slopes, increasing the risk of landslides. By preserving biodiversity in risky places, we reduce these impacts and guarantee better soil quality and stability.

5. Minimize the risk of extreme events Biodiversity is extremely important for climate regulation. The roots of the plants allow greater water infiltration in the soil and help retain moisture in the soil over time, and the transpiration of the leaves helps in the formation of rain clouds and increases the humidity of the air. These factors, among many others, can help mitigate extreme events such as droughts, fires and floods.

6. Support sustainable urban food systems Several animals, mainly insects such as bees, are responsible for pollination. This process guarantees the production of fruits, seeds and other foods that can be consumed by both wild animals and people. Thus, pollination ensures the sustainability of agroforestry, green belts and urban gardens, essential to feed the large number of people living in cities.

7. Prevent disease and regulate poisonous animals By preserving biodiversity, we also preserve trophic chains. In this way, predatory animals can control the population of animals that present risks to human health. For example, fish are predators of mosquito larvae and skunks are known to prey on scorpions.

8. Promote thermal comfort The presence of biodiversity, especially trees with leafy tops, promotes milder temperatures and greater air humidity, ensuring thermal comfort and a greater sense of well-being.

9. Promote quality of life and wellness We know that outdoor activities and living with other people are essential to human development and well-being. By preserving biodiversity, cities can enable the creation of safe and healthy spaces for leisure and social activities.

10. Raise awareness about coexistence with other living beings Currently more than 50 percent of the world population lives in cities. It is also in this space that decisions that directly impact our daily lives occur. Therefore, it is important to promote an environment of harmonious coexistence with biodiversity in order to reinforce its importance for human well-being.

Dr Elias Odula Barasa thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Biologically diverse communities are also more likely to contain species that confer resilience to that ecosystem because as a community accumulates species, there is a higher chance of any one of them having traits that enable them to adapt to a changing environment. Ecosystem resilience is the inherent ability to absorb various disturbances and reorganize while undergoing state changes to maintain critical functions. Increasing ecosystem resistance with increasing species richness can be accompanied by decreasing resilience. With species richness, also options for species assemblages and biotic interactions are increasing. Ecological life support biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services. Recreational many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity, such as bird watching, hiking, camping and fishing.What is the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem resilience? The higher the biodiversity is in an ecosystem, the higher its resilience is. What happens if one part of an ecosystem is disturbed? If one part is disturbed, the whole part is disturbed because everything is connected. The main and most important factors in ecosystem resilience are namely: redundancy and modularity. Ecological redundancy is the functional compensation due to several species which perform similar functions in an ecosystem. Modularity is defined as the interconnectedness of the components of a system. An ecosystem with a large number of species is more resilient against disturbances, because it has a greater overall biodiversity. This biodiversity enhances the overall sustainability and fitness of all organisms. In general, resistance refers to the ability of a population to withstand the disturbance, whereas resilience refers to the ability to recover after suffering from the disturbance. Maintaining and restoring the diversity of local tree species increases forest resilience to the effects of climate change, and helps maintain their ecosystem services. Some factors that increase resilience include the species richness of the ecosystem, ecological redundancy of species within the ecosystem, and higher humidity levels. The source, persistence, and intensity of the stressor can also impact resilience. Generally speaking, greater species diversity leads to greater ecosystem stability. This is termed the "diversity–stability hypothesis." An ecosystem that has a greater number of species is more likely to withstand a disturbance than an ecosystem of the same size with a lower number of species. Resilient organizations have a strong culture of shared purpose and values, and the creation of that culture is arguably the key leadership task. Diversity has the greatest impact when it is actively structured into the culture at all levels. Resilience is important because it's needed to process and overcome hardship. Those lacking resilience get easily overwhelmed, and may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Resilient people tap into their strengths and support systems to overcome challenges and work through problems.