Actually, diversification is the only thing that can save a species. Any other approach is the short path to extinction. Just like with the Irish potato famine of the 19th century, when we plant a mono crop, it means that we are depending on that single variety of that plant to withstand whatever diseases and pests that might attack it. And the diseases, whether in the form of a fungus in the soil or a pest in the form of a beetle or fly, those organisms are continuing to to evolve; and their single mandate is to bypass the plant's natural defenses. Unfortunately, when we grow mono-cultures, frequently they produce sterile offspring which can only be propagated through identical cuttings; this means that the genetics are not only all the same, but get weaker with each succeeding generation. This further diminishes the odds of the plant being able to withstand the onslaught of pests in whatever form.
As as matter of fact, this very situation happened not too long ago much closer to home. According to our local CA Ag Commissioner, who used to work for the state of Oregon, one of their main crops had been mint for the essential oil market (specifically for tooth paste companies such as Colgate). What happened in Oregon is similar to what is happening with the British banana variety, the Cavendish: a fungus infected the soil and spread throughout the state, ravaging the rhizomes of the entire mint crop along the way. And once, the soil was infected, it was no longer possible to grow mint in the state of Oregon!
It is for this very reason that organic farmers stress using seeds from open-pollinated, heirloom varieties of plants: to insure that their genetics, and thus the plants themselves, are strong because they are diverse.
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