Benefits from conserving biodiversity go beyond material rewards. Through the use and appreciation of a country's biological diversity, a rich cultural and traditional knowledge and deep attachment to the country's natural heritage and beauty are developed amongst people.
A new field of research is forming which takes into account the link between cultural and environmental diversity, draws attention to the complex interdisciplinary dimension of knowledge and its different forms and methods. It is a dimension that overcomes the barriers and cultural hierarchies and contributes to the understanding of environmental relations and the role of humankind in the ecosystem.