Content Writer | Updated On - Aug 28, 2024
Biodiversity refers to the richness of species and variety of life on Earth. There are three important levels of biodiversity – ecosystem, genetic and species diversity. Thus, biodiversity also known as biological diversity is the most complex and important aspect of our world without which it is difficult to survive. For a sustainable future, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of biodiversity and conservation.
In 1985, the word "biodiversity" was first used to study the overall interaction between various species of plants, animals, and even microorganisms. Ecological and economic relevance can be found in biodiversity. It gives us food, shelter, energy, clothing, and a variety of other things.
What is Biodiversity?
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Biodiversity is the variety and abundance of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms in a particular ecosystem. It includes the diversity within a species, between species, and of ecosystems. Biodiversity is important because it supports the functioning and health of ecosystems, and provides a range of resources and benefits to humans, including food, medicine, and natural beauty.
- Terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems are all included in the levels of biodiversity.
- The basic unit of biodiversity is the number of species through which the rate of biodiversity gain or loss occurs.
- Biodiversity loss can be seen at all three levels of biodiversity which occurs due to many reasons like natural disaster, alien invasion, etc.
Levels of Biodiversity
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The interaction of species and their surrounding environment is categorized into three levels which are discussed below in detail:
- Ecosystem diversity: This refers to the variety of different ecosystems within a region. For example, a region with both mountains and wetlands would have high ecosystem diversity.
- Species diversity: This refers to the number and variety of different species within an ecosystem. For example, a forest with many different types of trees, birds, mammals, and insects would have high species diversity.
- Genetic diversity: This refers to the diversity of genes within a species. For example, a population of wolves may have genetic diversity due to differences in coat color, size, and behavior.
Ecosystem Diversity: Ecosystem diversity also known as Community diversity; refers to the variety of cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences present within a specific community. This can include differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, among others.
A diverse community can be a rich and vibrant place, as it allows for a wide range of perspectives and ideas to be shared and discussed. However, it can also be challenging as it requires open-mindedness and understanding, as well as a willingness to respect and appreciate differences. It is important to recognize and celebrate community diversity, as it can foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all members.
Species diversity: refers to the number of different species living within a specific area or ecosystem. It can be measured at various levels, including the number of species within a particular group, such as plants or animals, or the number of species within a specific habitat or ecosystem. A high species diversity indicates a healthy and diverse ecosystem, while a low species diversity may indicate an ecosystem that is facing problems or degradation. The loss of species diversity can have negative impacts on the overall health and functioning of an ecosystem, as each species plays a unique role in maintaining balance and supporting the overall ecosystem.
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the variation in genetic makeup within a population or species. This can include differences in genetic traits, such as eye color or height, as well as variations in the genetic code itself. Genetic diversity is important for the overall health and survival of a population or species, as it allows for adaptability and evolution in response to changing environments and challenges. A diverse gene pool also helps to reduce the risk of genetic disorders and disease. However, genetic diversity can be reduced through factors such as habitat loss, inbreeding, and overhunting, which can lead to a decrease in overall fitness and survival of the population.
Levels of Biodiversity
Importance of Biodiversity
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It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems and provides numerous benefits to humans.
- Biodiversity helps to maintain the balance of ecosystems by providing a range of different species that all play a role in the functioning of the ecosystem. This includes everything from predators to prey, decomposers to producers, and everything in between.
- Biodiversity helps to protect against the spread of diseases. A diverse ecosystem is more resistant to diseases and can recover more easily from outbreaks.
- Biodiversity provides numerous economic benefits to humans. It is the source of many products we rely on, including food, medicine, and raw materials. It also supports the tourism industry by providing a diverse range of habitats for visitors to explore.
- Biodiversity plays a crucial role in the regulation of climate and weather patterns. Different species help to regulate carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Biodiversity helps to protect against natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes. Ecosystems with a diverse range of species are more resilient and able to recover more quickly from these events.
Overall, biodiversity is essential for the health and functioning of ecosystems and the numerous benefits it provides to humans. It is important that we work to protect and preserve biodiversity for the benefit of future generations.
Threats to Biodiversity
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There are several threats to biodiversity, including:
- Habitat destruction: Human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and logging lead to the destruction of natural habitats, leading to the loss of biodiversity.
- Invasive species: Non-native species can be introduced to an area either intentionally or accidentally, and can outcompete native species for resources, leading to their decline.
- Climate change: Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can disrupt ecosystems, leading to the loss of certain species.
- Pollution: Chemical and industrial pollution can harm and kill species, leading to their decline.
- Overconsumption: The demand for resources such as timber, oil, and minerals can lead to the destruction of natural habitats and the loss of species.
- Poaching and illegal wildlife trade: The illegal trade in wildlife and their parts is a major threat to many species, particularly those that are endangered or threatened.
- Human population growth: As the human population continues to grow, there is increasing pressure on natural habitats and resources, leading to the loss of biodiversity.
Read more: Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity Conservation
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Biodiversity, or the variety of different species within an ecosystem, is important for the health and stability of the environment.
- Conservation efforts aim to protect and preserve biodiversity by protecting habitats, reducing the impact of human activities, and promoting sustainable practices.
- This can involve creating protected areas, such as national parks or marine reserves, regulating the use of natural resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.
Conservation efforts are necessary because many species are facing threats due to human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. These threats can lead to species extinction, which can have negative impacts on the entire ecosystem. By protecting biodiversity, we can ensure the health and resilience of the environment for future generations.
In-situ Conservation: In-situ conservation is the protection and management of biodiversity in its natural habitat. This can include the protection of entire ecosystems, as well as the protection of specific species or populations.
- In-situ conservation aims to maintain the integrity of the ecosystem and its natural processes, rather than attempting to manipulate or artificially preserve it.
- This approach is often seen as a more sustainable and effective way to conserve biodiversity, as it allows for the natural evolution and adaptation of species within their natural environments.
Examples of in-situ conservation efforts include the establishment of national parks and protected areas, the creation of buffer zones around vulnerable ecosystems, and the implementation of conservation programs within local communities.
Ex-situ Conservation: Ex-situ conservation refers to the conservation of plants and animals outside of their natural habitat. This can include conservation efforts in botanical gardens, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries. These facilities can serve as a safe place for threatened or endangered species to breed and thrive, as well as a place for research and education about the importance of conservation. However, ex-situ conservation can also have its limitations, as it does not address the root causes of species decline and does not provide the same level of biodiversity found in natural habitats.
Read more: Biodiversity and conservation strategies
Things to Remember
- Biodiversity plays a significant role in supporting healthy functioning ecosystems.
- The three levels of biodiversity are ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity.
- Community diversity refers to the variety of cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and experiences present at a specific community.
- The loss of species diversity affects the overall health and functioning of the biodiversity
- Diversity in gene pool reduces the risk of genetic disorders
- Biodiversity regulates the CO2 in the atmosphere and mitigates the impacts of climate change.
- It is illegal to trade wildlife, especially endangered or threatened species.
- Growing population increases pressure on natural habitats and resources, leading to loss of biodiversity.
- By promoting sustainable activities preservation of biodiversity can be achieved.
- The two types of biodiversity conservation are In-situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is biodiversity? (5 marks)
Ans. The wide range of living species on Earth is referred to as biological diversity, or biodiversity. In ecosystems on Earth, the phrase refers to all kinds of plants, animals, insects, and bacteria.
There are an estimated 8.7 million different types of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms in the globe, but we have only managed to name and describe 1.2 million of them.
The phrase ecological services is frequently used while discussing biodiversity. Any benefit that people receive from wildlife or ecosystems is referred to as an ecosystem service. Food and water are two obvious examples, but additional ecosystem services include controlling flooding, producing fiber, and creating oxygen in the atmosphere.
Ques. Where are the biggest biodiversity hotspots around the world? (3 marks)
Ans. An area with exceptionally high biodiversity levels is known as a biodiversity hotspot. The warm, humid temperature of tropical regions is one of the conditions that makes ecosystems with the greatest diversity the best for plant growth. A few of these areas are the South Western United States, Madagascar, South Africa, and sections of South Africa.
Tropical rainforests contain the highest biodiversity of all the many types of land-based ecosystems, including tundra, grasslands, and deserts. More than 50% of all land-dwelling plants and animals call rainforests home, while only making up 2% of the area of the planet.
Ques.Why is biodiversity important to the planet? (3 marks)
Ans. Biodiversity is crucial to the health of the world because resilient ecosystems are better able to resist and recover from a wide range of disasters. To survive and preserve their ecosystem, all the species in a region cooperate. For example, huge carnivores like wolves, lions, and leopards are necessary for a balanced ecology. These carnivores' prey, which are herbivores, will probably become more numerous if their population declines. As a result of their increased grazing, the environment suffers. A delicate equilibrium based on collaboration and mutual survival is therefore necessary for a healthy ecosystem.
Ques. What are the primary reasons for the decline in biodiversity? (3 marks)
Ans. Biodiversity is at danger due to human activity. The five primary reasons for biodiversity loss are as follows:
- Changes in land and sea use
- Overexploitation
- Climate change
- Pollution
- Invasive alien species
The cultivation of crops and animals now takes up more than 33% of the planet's land area and about 75% of its freshwater resources. According to the WWF, intensive cattle ranching contributes for 80% of the present deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, with agriculture contributing for the other 20%.
Ques. How does climate change impact biodiversity? (5 marks)
Ans. Seasonal disruption, sea level rise, and more extreme weather are all effects of climate change that have a significant negative impact on biodiversity.
- Organisms have spent millions of years evolving to thrive under particular environmental conditions, but due to climate change, those environments are changing more quickly than evolution can keep up with.
- Coral reefs are a prime illustration. Coral reefs support more than 25% of marine diversity, including fish, lobsters, turtles, and other sea life, but taking up less than 1% of the ocean floor.
- Coral reefs are imperiled by the rising sea temperature.
- Corals undergo coral bleaching, which causes the coral to turn white, as a result of the colorful algae dwelling in their tissues being expelled by thermal stress brought on by warmer water.
Ques. How can the loss of biodiversity be prevented? (5 marks)
Ans. The occurrence of different types of habitat, species, ecosystem, gene pool, and a gene in a particular area in biodiversity. It can be conserved with various conservation strategies and management of abiotic and biotic resources. Listed below are a few conservation strategies:
- Natural conservation or protection of useful plants and animals in their natural habitats.
- Conserving crucial habitats like breeding and feeding areas, facilitating the growth and multiplication of endangered species
- Regulation or banning hunting activities
- Through bilateral or multilateral agreements, habitats of migratory entities should be conserved
- Spreading awareness of the significance of conservation of biodiversity
- Avoiding over-exploitation of natural resources
Ques.Why does species variety decrease as we move farther from the equator?(2 marks)
Ans. It's because the condition gets worse as the temperature drops. The volume and intensity of solar radiation are decreasing, and the amount of vegetation is likewise declining. Less resources are available to support the assortment of species. As we get closer to the poles, biodiversity declines because harsh conditions make it impossible for species to adapt and survive.
Ques. Define sacred groves. What is their role in the conservation of biodiversity?(2 marks)
Ans. They are sacred tracts which are extremely important to the local populations. They are protected by local communities through taboos and social traditions that encompass ecological and spiritual values and are devoted to ancestors' spirits and regional deities. They can be found in places like the Aravalli Hills, Meghalaya, the Western Ghats, etc., and are rich in biodiversity, fostering unique plant and animal species.
Ques. Define endangered species with an example for endangered plant and animal species. (2 marks)
Ans. It is a population of species on the brink of extinction.
- Endangered animal – Siberian Tiger
- Endangered plant – Venus fly trap
Ques. Expand IUCN. (1 mark)
Ans. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
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