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Ecosystem Roles
Whether or not its role is obvious to a casual observer, every organism plays a part in the functioning of the ecosystem. Some organisms, such as bacteria and insects, may function as decomposers and recycle the waste products of other species. If organisms did not fulfill these roles, other ecosystem processes wouldn't function correctly. For example, without decomposition, leaves would accumulate on the forest floor and block out the sunlight, stopping plants from growing.
Redundancy
Biodiversity ranks as a crucial ecological component because it allows for redundancy. A diverse ecosystem has more than one species that fulfills each role. According to a January 2011 article posted on ScienceDaily.com, if something happened to one population, such as a disease, the other species with the same ecosystem role could thrive and continue in that role.
Stronger Gene Pool
According to the University of California at Berkeley's Understanding Evolution website, biodiversity contributes to stronger species through genetic variation. Biodiversity contributes to genetically stronger organisms that can adapt to changing environmental conditions and have a better chance of overcoming adversity. Species with genetic variation also have a better chance at withstanding disease outbreaks, because some gene mutations make animals more likely to fight off disease. A species with lower genetic diversity is at greater risk of extinction because it's less able to adapt and more prone to disease.
Climate Change
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lack of biodiversity combined with climate change puts species at an increased risk of extinction. When species have a narrow range of environmental conditions they can tolerate, such as a certain temperature range, climate change will make it even more difficult for them to survive.