The narrowly utilitarian arguments for conserving biodiversity focus on:

The economic benefits humans derive from nature.

The correct answer is Option (3) –The economic benefits humans derive from nature.

The narrowly utilitarian arguments for conserving biodiversity are based on the idea that humans derive numerous direct economic benefits from nature and its diverse ecosystems. These benefits come in the form of various products and resources that are vital for human survival, well-being, and economic activities. Some of the key economic benefits that biodiversity provides include:

1. Food: Biodiversity plays a critical role in providing a wide variety of food resources, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Different plant and animal species contribute to the global food supply, supporting human nutrition and sustenance.
2. Medicine: Many plant species have medicinal properties and contain bioactive compounds that are used in traditional and modern medicine. More than 25 percent of the drugs currently sold in the global market are derived from plants, and indigenous communities around the world rely on approximately 25,000 plant species for traditional medicines.
3. Industrial Products: Biodiversity serves as a valuable source of raw materials for various industrial products. For example, plants may be used to obtain tannins, lubricants, dyes, resins, and perfumes, contributing to diverse industrial applications.
4. Construction Material: Wood and other plant-based materials derived from biodiversity are used in construction and various building applications.
5. Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity provides essential ecosystem services that have economic value. For instance, pollinators (bees, birds, bats) play a crucial role in pollinating crops, leading to increased agricultural productivity and economic gains.
6. Bioprospecting: Exploring the genetic and chemical diversity of biodiversity for products of economic importance, known as bioprospecting, holds potential for discovering new compounds and innovations with commercial value.

The narrowly utilitarian arguments highlight the direct and tangible benefits that humans receive from nature and the importance of conserving biodiversity for sustainable resource use and economic development. However, it's essential to balance these utilitarian arguments with broader ecological and ethical considerations to ensure the long-term health and resilience of ecosystems and their ability to support diverse life forms. Sustainable biodiversity conservation practices are crucial to safeguarding these valuable economic benefits and maintaining a healthy and functioning environment for future generations.