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Biodivesity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth across genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. It is important ecologically and economically, contributing to ecosystem services and resilience while providing resources. However, human activities threaten biodiversity through deforestation, pollution, and climate change, leading to species extinction and ecosystem degradation. Conservation efforts aim to protect biodiversity for both natural environments and human societies.

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77 views3 pages

Biodivesity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth across genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. It is important ecologically and economically, contributing to ecosystem services and resilience while providing resources. However, human activities threaten biodiversity through deforestation, pollution, and climate change, leading to species extinction and ecosystem degradation. Conservation efforts aim to protect biodiversity for both natural environments and human societies.

Uploaded by

anshul0714
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Biodiversity

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety of life on Earth across all
levels of biological organization, including genetic diversity within species, diversity
among species, and diversity of ecosystems.

Biodiversity holds ecological and economic significance. It encompasses the rich array
of plants, animals, microorganisms, and ecosystems, contributing to ecological balance
and resilience. Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient
cycling, and climate regulation.

Human activities, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change, threaten


biodiversity, leading to species extinction and ecosystem degradation. Conservation
efforts aim to protect and sustain biodiversity for the well-being of both natural
ecosystems and human societies.

Types of Biodiversity
Species diversity

It is the biodiversity seen within a community. Species diversity refers to the variety of
different types of species found in a particular area. It is biodiversity at the most basic
level.

It includes all the species ranging from plants to different microorganisms. No two
individuals of the same species are exactly similar. For example, humans show a lot of
diversity among themselves.

Genetic diversity

It is the diversity expressed at the genetic level by every single person in a species.
Higher genetic diversity enhances a species' adaptability to environmental changes and
reduces the risk of inbreeding.

Every individual of a particular species differs from each other in their genetic
constitution. That is why every human looks different from each other. Similarly, there
are different varieties of rice, wheat, maize, barley, etc.

Ecological diversity

An ecosystem is a collection of living and non-living organisms and their interaction with
each other. Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations in the plant and animal
species living together and connected by food chains and food webs.
Ecological diversity refers to the diversity of ecosystems, habitats, and ecological
processes within a given geographical area. Diversity in different ecosystems like
deserts, rainforests, mangroves, etc., includes ecological diversity.

Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity and its maintenance are very important for sustaining life on earth. A few of
the reasons explaining the importance of biodiversity are:

Ecological Stability: Every species in an ecosystem plays a vital role, capturing and
storing energy while contributing to organic matter production and decomposition.
Ecosystem diversity enhances productivity and resilience, crucial for human survival.

Economic Importance: Biodiversity serves as a resource hub for food, cosmetics, and
pharmaceuticals. Crops, livestock, fisheries, and forests provide food, while various
plants offer medicinal properties. Many products like wood, fibers, perfumes, and rubber
originate from diverse plant species. National parks boost tourism, providing aesthetic
and recreational value.

Ethical Importance: Every species has a right to exist, and preserving biodiversity is
vital to safeguard cultural and spiritual heritage. Conservation efforts are crucial to
prevent voluntary extinction.

Biodiversity in India
India is globally celebrated for its rich biodiversity and is one of the most diverse nations
in the world. It ranks ninth in terms of plant species richness. Two of the world’s 25
biodiversity hotspots are found in India.

It is the origin of important crop species such as pigeon pea, eggplant, cucumber, cotton
and sesame. India is equally diverse in its faunal wealth. There are about 91000 animal
species found here.

Despite this natural wealth, biodiversity faces threats and depletion due to human
activities. Conservation efforts and initiatives aim to protect and sustain this precious
biological diversity, recognizing its ecological, economic, and cultural significance for the
nation and the world.
Methods to Increase Biodiversity
Increasing biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting
various life forms. Some effective methods to enhance biodiversity include:

1. Building wildlife corridors- This means to build connections between wildlife


spaces. In other words, many animals are incapable to cross huge barriers.
Therefore, they are not able to migrate through the barrier and breed. So
different engineering techniques can make wildlife corridors. Also, it helps
animals to move from one place to the other.
2. Set up gardens- Creating gardens at home with diverse plants and animals
enhances biodiversity. Growing different types of plants in yards or balconies not
only adds greenery but also improves air quality.
3. Protected areas- Wildlife sanctuaries and zoos act as protected areas,
conserving biodiversity by maintaining natural habitats. These areas, secluded
from human civilization, serve as ideal breeding grounds for plants and animals,
preventing species from becoming extinct.
4. Re-wilding – To counteract centuries of damage, re-wilding involves
reintroducing endangered species to areas where they have gone extinct. This
approach addresses threats to biodiversity caused by activities like hunting and
deforestation, ensuring the conservation of wildlife and plant species.
5. Biodiversity-friendly Policies: Governments and organizations can implement
policies that promote biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and
responsible resource utilization to protect ecosystems and the species they
support.
6. Sustainable Land Use Practices: Implementing sustainable agricultural
methods, avoiding excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and adopting
organic farming contribute to biodiversity conservation.

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