the fittesr survive, the fitting-est thrive

The vitality of ecosystems depends on relacionships: what goes on between species, their uses and excahnges of materials and energy in a given place. A tapestry is the metaphor often invoked to describe diversity, a richly textured web of individual species woven together with interlocking tasks. In such a setting, diversity means strength, and monoculture means weakness. The more diversity there is, the more productive functions-for the ecosystem, fo the planet-are performed.