The loss of biodiversity has many consequences that we understand, and many that we do
not. It is apparent that mankind is willing to sustain a great deal of biodiversity loss if there
are concomitant benefits to society; we hope they are net benefits. In many cases, the
benefits seem to accrue to a few individuals only, with net societal loss. However, as noted
below, it is extremely difficult to estimate the future costs of losses in biodiversity, or of
environmental damage