Biodiversity | Types, importance, and conservation of biodiversity
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| Biodiversity |
Biodiversity | Types, importance, and conservation of biodiversity
The
word, “Biodiversity”, is combination of two words, “Bio” means
life and “diversity” means variety. Therefore, Biodiversity is variety
of various living organisms present on earth and they are interrelated and interacting
with each other’s in their ecosystem or habitat.
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity
is
the variety of living organisms and their interactions with each other, i.e.
life on Earth. The diversity linked to micro-organisms, different plants and
animals is included in biodiversity. Bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms,
bryophytes and the various plants, birds, insects, fish and humans are all the
fundamental part of biodiversity.
Biodiversity
can
occur in a very small particular area or in a very large area like the ocean.
For example, biodiversity can occur in a very small aquarium where there are
few small fish or can occur in a large ocean where whales and sharks like huge
fish live with other aquatic animals. Biodiversity can be present in different
ecosystems such as the desert ecosystem, the aquatic ecosystem and the
terrestrial ecosystem, including the grassland ecosystem, the forest ecosystem,
etc. Biodiversity is therefore present everywhere on earth.
Definition of Biodiversity
Biodiversity
is defined as the distinction between living organisms and
includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems from all
sources, including marine, terrestrial, aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part.
Type of Biodiversity
There
are three prime types of biodiversity viz, Genetic biodiversity,
Species biodiversity and habitat / ecosystem biodiversity.
Genetic
biodiversity:
Genetic
biodiversity is related to the genes of living organism and is
the diversity within the specific species. Genes are responsible for transmission
of certain factors or traits from one generation to the next within the same
species, so genetic biodiversity has occurred within the same specific species.
It is also called as within species
diversity. Genes give unique characters or features to each individual species.
For
example, human beings are the Homo sapiens and, besides all, the homo sapiens
are not exactly alike. There are some differences in shape, size, body colour, hair
style, etc and these differences make them unique identity. Each person is
genetically unique and that’s why different peoples have different faces,
features and characters, they are all humans but genetically different and that
is genetic biodiversity in human.
Likewise,
genetic biodiversity covers different varieties of a single
species or a distinct population of a single species. For example, if we see
animals like dogs and cats, there are thousands of different breeds are
available. Flower like rose, there are different varieties of roses of colours,
shape and other characters available.
| Genetic Biodiversity: Different breeds of dog but categories as single species |
In
broad, Genetic biodiversity covers the genetic changes that occurs
in the number or structure of genes, in same species, which givers different characteristic,
aesthetic features and behaviour.
Importance
of genetic diversity: Due to pollution, there may be adverse effects
on some specific species and loss of fertility due to changes in genes. As each
species has different genes which gives it a different strength and immune
system. Some species may tolerate the adverse effect of pollution in their
ecosystem and their success in surviving, but some may be severely affected and suffer
infertility or die. This may be
responsible for extinction of certain species and certain habitat.
Adverse effect of human activities
Human
began to cultivate a hybrid crop and replaced the traditional culture in a particular
area in the same way that it happened with the animals. Man has made some
changes in animal genes and responsible for their genetic changes thus changes
their features and characteristic. This was resulted into extinction of the
original species. Sometimes human releases
the formed fish in the river, then these formed fishes compete with the wild fish,
if the genes of the wild fishes are not wired much to fertilize well, their
population can be replaced by formed fishes. In addition, these formed fishes can
reproduce a new type of fishes which can replace the original one.
The
disadvantage of genetic changes is the extinction of one species that was
useful for specific purpose and replaced by a new one that has different
characteristic. Once the species extinct, it can no longer be replaced by
another, may be an alternate evolution but cannot be replaced because genes are
always different depending on the species.
Species
biodiversity:
Species
biodiversity occurs among different type of species (more than
one different species) in a particular area or location. Here, the number of species is the basic unit
for classification. Different organisms have different features and characters
and that is why they cannot reproduce or interbred, therefore they are
considered as different species. The organism that can be reproduced with each
other is considered to be as single species.
The
diversity among the number of species and their different individual varieties that
live in a particular area at a given time is called species biodiversity.
Here,
there may be changes in the type and numbers of species over time, period or session. So, in a particular area,
there may be particular species such as horse, dogs, elephant, lion, particular
birds, plants, etc and some of them may be more at particular location, then it
is called as species richness.
Species
richness is the number of specific individual organism in
that area which is rich in number ie the highest among all.
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| AREA-1: Species biodiversity - species richness |
for
example, in area-1, there are three
different kind of birds like Bird-A, Bird-B & Bird-C. Now, count the individual
bird for finding the highest number i.e. richness. There are total 12 birds in
which Bird-A are five, Bird-B are three and Bird-C are four in number,
therefore the highest number of birds
are Bird-A species at a particular area and at particular time period, is
called as the species richness.
There
is another terms used in species biodiversity related to number of species at
particular area at particular time period and that is species evenness.
It means there are the similar number of individuals in particular area in a given
time.
Global
biodiversity: Global biodiversity is also called
as the gamma biodiversity in which there are a wide variety of different plants
and animals and different kind of other organisms living together.
Each
organism is different from each other’s and living together in particular area
at particular time.
Importance of species biodiversity
It
may take several years to develop an ecosystem with specific species in a
particular area. The ecosystem contains many factors such as temperature,
availability of food, climate, seasons, etc. where species can be adopted and
help them maintain their population through reproduction.
They
interact with the environment and become part of the food chain. In the event
that certain species disappear, there may be an impact on other species and the
ecosystem may be affected. There may be an imbalance in the food chain. Several
years may require the development of other species to take over the function of
lost species, but may not be able to replace all the characteristics.
Therefore, once the species has disappeared from this earth, its functions
cannot be replaced completely.
Adverse effect of human activities on species biodiversity
Industrialization,
deforestation, agriculture, pollution and changes in habitats are the main
dangers for the biodiversity of species. It affects the reproduction of the
species and kills directly due to various diseases formed due to pollution of
human origin.
Humans
are responsible for the migration of certain species from one ecosystem to
another ecosystem, and the loss of species from this local ecosystem results.
Monoculture farming is one of the main reasons for the extinction of plant
species. CO2 emissions from various industries responsible for global warming
and the disruption of species biodiversity.
Ecosystem biodiversity/ Habitat biodiversity
The
ecosystem is the interaction and interrelation between different living
organisms and its non-living environment. The species can be different in
different environments from geological conditions and therefore the diversity
linked to different types of ecosystem such as forest, desert, aquatic
ecosystem is called ecosystem biodiversity.
| Ecosystem biodiversity/ Habitat biodiversity |
The
term ecosystem was first coined by AG Tinsley in 1935. There are different
types of ecosystems, such as the aquatic ecosystem, the terrestrial ecosystem
of the desert ecosystem, the grassland ecosystem and the
ecosystem forest. All of these different ecosystems have biodiversity and
different species of one ecosystem may not survive in another ecosystem,
for example, in the aquatic ecosystem, some aquatic plants and aquatic animals
are there and they cannot survive in the desert ecosystem.
Therefore,
the species of different types of organisms living in a particular ecosystem,
they are adapted to this specific environment and that is why it is called
ecosystem biodiversity.
In
some areas there is an exceptionally high level of biodiversity and this
particular area is called hot spots.
Some
species are very rare and can be found in a particular ecosystem, these species
are called endemic species.
There
is landscapes diversity can also see on earth and exist in the form of natural
and cultural elements. Presently most of the landscapes are not virgin in
Europe as these landscapes converted into agricultural used. After waste
awareness, they developed some landscapes artificially.
Importance of biodiversity
Biodiversity
is very important for balancing our terrestrial environment and our ecosystem.
Below
is the main importance of biodiversity
Food
chain: There are enormous living organisms living on earth and
helpful for making a specific food chain which is very useful for balancing and
maintaining our ecosystem.
Aesthetic
value: Biodiversity is very
useful for aesthetic value of our earth.
Provides
varieties of food: Several varieties
of food can be obtained from different kind of plants and animals.
Provides
medicinal resources: Different kind of medicines can be prepared from
different kind of plants and animals
Productive
values: Certain daily products can be obtained from different kind
of animals and plants in the form of oil, leather, etc
Importance of biodiversity to humans
Over
8.7 million species on our planet have a specific ecosystem like a patch of
wood. Healthy biodiversity ensures the stability of ecosystems by reducing the
dependence of one species on another for food shelter and even the maintenance
of the physical environment.
Wolves
were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995 to control the growth
of the population, which had grazed much of the park. It was a phenomenal
success, the introduction of wolves changed the course of the trees of the
rivers, the seedlings had the chance to grow along the banks by stabilizing the
banks and helping to clean the water. The river began to wind more and more and
the beavers returned, as did the birds to the new trees.
One
species can make a huge difference to an entire ecosystem. We would all prefer
a lush green planet with lots of insect birds and flowers rather than a barren
planet, but to really convince people that biodiversity is important, we need
to look at its economic value.
The
World Conservation Union estimates that the goods and services provided by
ecosystems represent around $ 33 trillion a year, reduced by diversity.
Millions, if not billions, of people face a future, as food suppliers are more
vulnerable to pests and diseases, fresh water is scarce, and we have no drugs
to cure life-threatening diseases.
Biodiversity
protects the water resources it cleans; it controls the route to be followed
and the stabilizer banks thus reducing the risk of flooding.
Biodiversity
has also improved the quality of the soil again reducing the risk of flooding
and increased fertility, so potential crop yields. We are currently taking a
hundred billion kilograms of food from the oceans. If you don't keep these
supplies, how are we going to replace food sources in the future and what about
traditional and modern medicine.
Medicine
biodiversity necessary for diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. So
many modern medicines are derived from wild species such as some pain relievers,
heart medicines, anticancer medicines and diabetes treatments. There are so many
other important species that have not yet been studied or discovered that could
provide us with a generally important remedy or treatment. If we do not start
to prevent biodiversity loss, we may never the chance to discover and develop
this potentially life-saving drug.
Loss
of biodiversity increases the spread of infectious diseases. The epidemics of
avian influenza with Ebola virus, malaria and corona virus Pandemic COVID-19
have all been attributed to human impacts on deforestation of biodiversity.
Biodiversity
also help humans to generate income via tourism, Europe and Africa generates remarkable amount
of income as agriculture, forestry and fishing combined, but even England has
increased its animal species less and its landscapes less extreme than the
value of the forest day of other countries or even estimated at around 1
billion pounds.
Loss of biodiversity
There
are certain threats to the biodiversity that is responsible for the extinction
of certain species and ecosystem.
1.
High population rate: High
population rate responsible for loss of habitat for different types of animals
as well as plants.
2.
Pollution: Pollution including air,
water and soil pollution
3. Natural calamities: It is related to
the loss of biodiversity due to certain natural impacts such as forest fire, certain
insects destroy plants and certain epidemics in animals
4.
Deforestation: Cutting
of trees for the industrialization and urbanization.
5.
Exotic species: Some species migrate from one ecosystem to
another ecosystem and then dominate completely dominate over certain species,
eliminating certain existing species are called as exotic species and this is
also one of the reason for the loss of biodiversity.
6.
Illegal hunting: It is also responsible for extinction of many
species of animals.
All
the major 6 factors above are responsible for the loss of biodiversity. There are other factors also responsible for the
loss of biodiversity such as
a.
The spread of hostile plants and animal species from one ecosystem to another.
b.
Loss of habitants due to climate change, degradation, and destructions caused by
human or other dominant species in a particular ecosystem.
c.
Uncontrolled use of natural resources by human to get energy.
d.
Destruction of water bodies, migration of species, disturbance of water flows
and changes in aquatic environment.
Conservation of biodiversity
The
protection, management and preservation of genetic diversity, species and
ecosystems are important and are also called biodiversity conservation.
We must protect flora and fauna for the sustainable growth of individual
species and of all types of ecosystems. As there is a strong interaction and
relationship between the varieties of species, the ecosystem and the
environment, they are interdependent. The richness of species, the ecosystem,
the environment and the sustainable growth of life on earth are also called
optimal conservation of biodiversity.
All
over the world, biodiversity loss is observed due to habitat loss, global
warming, climate change, excessive exploration of resources, illegal poaching
of rear animals, deadly diseases, pollution of the environment,
industrialization, urbanization, deforestation, etc. the need to take strict
measures against the causes of biodiversity loss and to preserve it by
preserving it through legal obligations by the government and other social
organizations.
It
is true that humans are the most beneficial species that benefit from almost
all the benefits of biodiversity. Therefore, it is his primary responsibility
to take corrective action against the damage caused by it and to improve
biodiversity through scientific management.
The
main objective of conserving biodiversity is to save life on
earth, preserve all species, maintain the ecosystem and a healthy environment
forever so that it remains healthy for the next generation as well.
Conserving
biodiversity is very important for maintaining the food chain,
providing a healthy environment for varieties of species, including humans, and
gaining support for our sustainable development.
Here
are the main objectives of biodiversity conservation
1.
Protect and maintain the important ecosystem from destruction by preserving
natural resources, maintaining the crucial ecosystem process, minimizing use,
optimizing consumption, avoiding waste and maintaining aids and survival
systems.
2.
Since humans are part of the biodiversity of the ecosystem, it is ethical to
conserve biodiversity.
3.
Protect and preserve the extinction of varieties of plants and animal species.
4.
Promote the development of rear species, ensure the exploration of new species
with their importance and their ecosystem for sustainable biodiversity.
5.
Maintain the aesthetics of the Earth.
6.
Since man is the main consumer of resources, the conservation of biodiversity
requires economic and scientific advantages
There
are two types of biodiversity conservation, one is In-situ and the
other is Ex-situ conservation
In-Situ
conservation of biodiversity (onsite)
The
conservation of species in their original ecosystem without disturbing their
natural life or within their natural habitat is called as In-situ biodiversity
conservation. Here, the area/ ecosystem/habitat with high natural biodiversity is
converted into national park or sanctuary. Some time this reserved ecosystem is
also called as biosphere reserve and a government regulating its maintenance
and preservation by enforcing certain legal obligations.
Ex-Situ
conservation of biodiversity (off-site)
Here,
the conservation of species takes place off-site i.e away from their natural
habitat, these species are shifting and protected in a new ecosystem. For
example, some rare species of wildlife have moved from their natural habitat to
the zoo and botanical garden to aid recovery strategies for endangered species.
This also includes the conservation of genetic resources.
Biodiversity conservation challenges
1.
There are still several species which are not yet discovered, the habitat of
the servals and the landscapes are still not explored and therefore their
effect on each other, ecosystem and species, is still unknown. In such
circumstances, it is very difficult to develop indicators for measuring and
monitoring the parameters of biodiversity.
2.
Although the conservation of biodiversity in certain areas is regulated by
legislation by declaring the area as a national park, sanctuaries, botanical
garden, inclusion in all the relevant laws remains difficult.
3.
Maintaining Ex-Situ conservation of biodiversity is costly economically.
4.
Management of biodiversity conservation
Conclusion
Biodiversity
is
the variety of various living organisms present on earth and their interaction
and interrelationship in the ecosystem. There are three main type of biodiversity
viz. genetic, species and ecosystem or habitat biodiversity. Human domination
is the greatest common thread of biodiversity because it takes advantage of his
power and consumes all type of resources by endangering the life of other
species. Biodiversity is very important for
balancing our terrestrial environment and our ecosystem. Humans are also
responsible for pollution and unwanted elements in the environment. Biodiversity
conservation is very important for the sustainability of a healthier
earth by preserving and protecting species, ecosystem, and natural resources.
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