Biodiversity: Definition, Types and Significance

Biodiversity refers to a variety of species on earth including the plants, animals, and microorganisms. Edward Wilson, a sociobiologist was the first to popularise the term ‘biodiversity’ in the year 1992. The term ‘biodiversity’ is derived from the two words- ‘bios' which means life and ‘diversity’ means differentiation or variation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recorded the total number of species to be greater than 1.5 million.

• Biodiversity supports all the resources present in nature such as food, water, shelter, etc.
• Several species already exist and more are yet to be discovered.
• In India, known species is roughly 8.1% of the total, though India has only 2.4% land area.

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What is Biodiversity? 

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Biodiversity, also known as biological diversity talks about a variety of life forms that exist on earth. Endangered or threatened species including plants, animals, fungi, viruses, humans, and invertebrates are included in a biodiversity. It has both economical and ecological significance as it provides us with food, shelter, medicines, clothings, etc. 

• Genetic variation and evolution are the two driving factors responsible for increasing biodiversity & population. 
• Habitat destruction, foreign invasion, and natural disasters are the three main causes of population decline in a biodiversity.
• According to Centre of Biodiversity and Conservation, both humans and human cultural diversity are a part of this. 

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Types of Biodiversity

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Biological diveristy refers to all species living in one area or ecosystem.Thus, there are three different levels of biodiversity which are discussed below in detail: 

1. Genetic diversity
2. Species diversity
3. Ecological diversity

Types of biodiversity

Genetic Diversity

The variation among genetic resources of an organism is known as genetic biodiversity. Populations that are diverse genetically can very well handle change.

• For instance, if a population is striked by a disease increased levels of genetic diversity increase the chances that only a few members are affected by the disease.
• Example of biodiversity is Rauwolfia vomitoria, a medicinal plant found in the Himalayas shows genetic variation in terms of potency and concentration of the chemical Reserpine.

Species Diversity

The variety of different species found in a specific area is known as species biodiversity. It also means the role a specie play in the community. 

• For instance, a community is made up of several different species, but might have only one predator that chose only a specific prey.
• For example, the Western Ghats in India have more amphibian species than the Eastern Ghats.

Ecological Diversity

The biodiversity found at the ecosystem level of a region is known as ecological biodiversity. For example, India with its vast deserts, thick rainforests, rich mangroves has higher ecological biodiversity than Norway.

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Significance of Biodiversity

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The proper maintenance of biodiversity is essential for survival on Earth. An area rich in higher species is considered to be more stable than an area in deprivation. Moreover, we rely entirely on the environment to fulfill our needs to survive.

• It provides ecological stability by providing various services required for the survival of human life.
• Every species serves a specific function in an ecosystem. Some produce and decompose organic matter while others capture and store energy.
• An abundant and diverse ecosystem is more productive and resilient to environmental stress like droughts, floods, landslides, etc.
• Rich biodiversity provides economic value as it is a reservoir of various resources like cattle, fishes, forests, medicinal herbs, wood, crops, etc., all essential for the propagation of life on Earth.
• Abundant and balanced biodiversity also provides ethical and aesthetic value by conserving the rich cultural heritage.
• It also play a significant role in regulating climate, soil formation, decreasing pollution, etc.
• They help in capturing, storing, utilizing, breaking organic materials, and fixing nitrogen.

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Causes of Biodiversity Loss

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Biodiversity losses occur due to the destructive human activities and deteriorating climate crises. The top 10 biodiversity loss causes are metioned below:

• Population explosion/overpopulation
• Extensive mechanization/industrialization
• Loss of habitat
• Changes in climate
• Urbanization
• Deforestation
• Pollution
• Diseases
• Erosion
• Depletion

Consequence of Biodiversity loss

Following are some major consequences of loss of biodiversity: 

• Plant production is declining
• Reduced resistance to droughts, floods, landslides, etc leading to calamities
• Many beneficial species have become extinct
• The use of pesticides has increased leading to the increase in many serious diseases like cancer

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Biodiversity Conservation

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Biodiversity conservation refers to the measures taken to preserve, protect, and uplift the biodiversity of flora and fauna so that renewable and non-renewable resources can be obtained for the sustenance of present and future generations.

The main goals of biodiversity conservation are:

• Conservation of species
• Management of ecosystems
• Restoration of various ecological processes

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Methods of Biodiversity Conservation

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There are primarily two methods of biodiversity conservation: In situ and Ex situ Conservation.

Figure 2: The in-situ and ex-situ biodiversity conservation in India

In-situ Conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the preservation of various species of animals and plants in their natural environment or habitat. It includes national parks, sanctuaries, forests, reserves, etc.

Advantages of In-situ conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity has several advantages:

• It is a cost-efficient way of biodiversity conservation
• It ensures the conservation of a large number of species at the same time
• The organisms don’t require to change their habitat

National Parks

National parks are the forest reserves that are managed by the government. Activities like grazing, farming, construction, cutting of trees, hunting, etc., are strictly prohibited in these areas for the conservation of different species of flora and fauna.

India has a total of 104 National Parks that are covering an area of 43,716 square kilometers. Eg. Jim Corbett National Park, Kanha National Park, Gir National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Sundarbans National Park, etc.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuaries are the areas reserved specifically for the conservation of wild animals. Tourists are allowed in these areas. India has a total of 551 wildlife sanctuaries.

Eg. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Ex-situ Conservation 

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity is the preservation of various species of animals and plants outside their natural environment or habitat. In this type of conservation, breeding of endangered species is done in artificial ecosystems like zoos, botanical gardens, nurseries, etc.

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Biodiversity Conservation Strategies

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The strategies that should be followed for biodiversity conservation are:

• Agricultural animals, livestock, plants like timber plant should be protected
• The population of endangered species should be restored
• Natural resources should be utilized efficiently
• Incessant deforestation should be stopped
• Hunting should be banned 
• Spread of public awareness

Importance of Biodiversity Conservation

There is a dire need for the conservation of biodiversity in maintaining a pollution-free environment and ensuring the proper availability of resources to human beings.

• Humans are completely dependent on nature for various resources like renewable and non-renewable.
• These resources are provided by animals and plants directly or indirectly. To sustain life on earth the rich flora and fauna of the Earth has to be conserved efficiently.
• Biodiversity supports the food security and livlihoods throughout the genetic diversity.
• It has also contributed in advanced medicines and human health treatment.

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Things to Remember

• Biodiversity refers to a variety of living species that interact with one another.
• The deduction in the number, genetic variation, and species is called biodiversity loss.
• Increase in levels of carbon dioxide is one of the causes of loss in the diversity.
• Machine learning is used to count and identify variety of species in a system.

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