Much biodiversity remains to be scientifically recorded for all types of ecosystems, particularly in the South American subregion and in the deep oceans in general. Short-term and long-term policy evaluation in the Americas is generally insufficient. This is most pronounced in Mesoamerica, South America and the Caribbean. Investments in generating new knowledge on these matters may better elucidate how human quality of life is highly dependent on a healthy natural environment, as well as how threats to natural environments affect quality of life in the short, median and long term.