Biodiversity consists of two words, bio, which means life, and diversity, which means a wide( variety). Biodiversity can be defined as a huge batch of species of germs, algae, fungi, grains and creatures occurring on the planet, either in territorial or oceanic habitats and ecological networks .

Biodiversity is the occurrence of different types of ecosystems, different species of organisms with their types and genes adapted to different climates, environments along with their interaction and processes.

Biodiversity is further explained

• Biodiversity is the biological mixture of different species and a strong connection between them.
• Biodiversity helps in maintaining the nutrition web in the ecosystem.
• The forests house a vivid collection of biodiversity, and they serve to safeguard the world.
• Formulating micro-grooves within towns could also help in boosting biodiversity and enabling a cleaner environment.
• Biodiversity is like the bunch of services given by essence for availability. 
• Biodiversity is necessary for the ecosystem’s balance to be maintained.

Why is biodiversity important?

Without biodiversity, the earth will be in a crisis. Every single species, plants, etc, play a vital role in our daily lives. Biodiversity connects to many species by food web and food chain which is necessary for survivability of every organism. We also have to take help from biodiversity to recover them. Good biodiversity leads to recovery from natural disasters.

Threats to biodiversity 

• Habitat loss and fragmentation

• Over exploitation

• Alien species invasions

•  Co- extinction

Habitat loss and fragmentation

Expanding population and development require more industrial area, extension of present towns and cities, more area for agriculture, new roads, canals, dams etc.

All these activities will result in destruction of natural habitat or habitat loss. Destruction of habitat is the primary cause of extinction of species.

Habitat fragmentation is the breaking of a large habitat into smaller patches due to development of agriculture, water body and other change.

Over-exploitation

Over exploitation of any particular species reduces the size of its population so that it becomes vulnerable to extinctions, e.g. hunting of animals, collection of medicinal plants.

Alien species invasions

Any new species entering a geographical region are known as exotic or alien species. Nile perch, a large predator fish, was introduced in lake victoria of South Africa. It begins to threaten the entire freshwater ecosystem by feeding on small herbivorous and carnivorous cichlid fish species which were endemic to the aquatic system.

Co-extinctions

When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it also become extinct. Example-In a coevolved plant pollinator mutualism extinction of one always leads to the extinction of the other.

Types of Biodiversity

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

Genetic Diversity 

This type of genetics takes place due to variations of genes within species. Genes are basic units of heredity. Genetic diversity is expressed in breeds, races, varieties and forms.

• The greater the genetic diversity a species shows the more are the chances of its survival against environmental changes.

• A medical plant shows diversity in the concentration and potency of active chemical reactions.

• An example of genetic diversity is wheat, rice, maize, etc.

Species diversity

• Species diversity is the number of various species that affect a given community.

• Species diversity is greatest when all the species present are equally sufficient in the area.

• Species = a group of organisms that are capable of interbreeding. 

• Species richness implies the number of various species present per unit area.

• Due to different climates in different geographical regions, India is rich in ecosystem diversity.

• Examples of species diversity are tigers, lions, etc.

Ecological Diversity – 

• It is associated with species diversity and genetic diversity. 

• Ecological diversity refers to ecosystem diversity.

• Examples of ecological diversity are forests, wetlands, coral reefs, etc.

Importance of biodiversity 

Biodiversity and its provisions are very significant for sustaining life on earth. Some of the reasons that clarify the importance of biodiversity are:

 Provide food for humans.

• A considerable amount of drugs are derived rapidly or indirectly from biological references.

• Biodiversity helps supply industrial materials, eg, dyes, gums, adhesives, building materials, fibres, rubbers and oil etc.

• Biodiversity helps to make and maintain the ecosystem from different levels like genetic, species, and ecological levels.

• It is directly implicated in recycling nutrients and furnishing fertile soils.

Functions of Biodiversity

Ecological importance

• Controlling soil erosion
• Improvement of soil quality
• An array of a healthy ecosystem
• Pollution management

Economic Importance

• Sources of food 
• Protection of natural resources
• Development of medicine
• Poverty reduction
• Economic growth

Social Importance

• Provide social advantages
• Improvement employment to the rural areas
• Improve social services to the rural people.

Conclusion

The word biodiversity which has no specific definition works as a crucial thing in the environment. Biodiversity helps the environment by their natural events and the sustainable aim of natural resources.

This context shows that biodiversity is the big batch of all the species like bacteria, algae, fungus, grains and cultures which are present on the planet. It also helps the human being of the planet by the web of nutrients. Biodiversity could be divided into three types i.e genetic diversity, species diversity and ecological diversity. Biodiversity mainly focuses on the necessity of sustainable development and sufficient use of coastal resources. The direction of biodiversity is difficult when the involvement of governmental companies and private associations.