Biodiversity : The Need for classification

The Earth has a huge number of life forms with their individual characteristics and functions. All these life forms are a part of their respective ecosystems and perform important functions in their habitats. This variety of life forms at all their varied levels and all the ecological, evolutionary, and in some cases even cultural processes that sustain this variety is called biodiversity.

Definition

According to the United Nations at the Earth Summit, 1992, biodiversity is defined as the “variability among living organisms from all sources, including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

Factors affecting biodiversity

Species are not distributed evenly all over the Earth. Some parts are more diversely populated than others. Some factors that affect biodiversity are:

•     Latitude
•     Altitude
•     Temperature
•     Forest cover
•     Precipitation

Types of biodiversity

There are mainly 3 ways in which biodiversity can be categorised:-

 Genetic diversity: If there is not a lot of diversification in the genetic material in a certain species the genetic diversity is said to be low. This is usually an intraspecies kind of biodiversity

 Species diversity: When there is a great number of species found in an ecosystem the biodiversity of that system is said to be high

 Functional diversity: The variety in the daily habits and behaviours found within a species is called functional diversity. This can be observed in the way the members perform such functions as gathering food, making dwellings, etc

Importance of biodiversity

Biodiversity is important both because of the value it provides for human existence and for the value it holds on its own. This means that for humans biodiversity is cause for providing utilitarian needs such as food, fuel, medicine, seed dispersal, climate regulation, control of agricultural pests, nutrient cycling, etc. the intrinsic value of biodiversity is a philosophical concept but it is nonetheless as valid as its utilitarian worth. It means that biodiversity holds value for its own sake independent of its effect on other life forms. Biodiversity and the need for classification According to some estimates, the total number of species is about 10.9 million out of which 8.7 million are terrestrial and 2.2 are oceanic. This is just the number of known species. The huge variety of life on earth necessitates a need for classification. That is where taxonomy comes in. Taxonomy is the study of describing, naming  and classifying living things. The earth’s biodiversity and the need for classification have given rise to this discipline.

Need for classification

Today there is an unprecedented rate of loss of biodiversity and the need for classification is of paramount importance. Due to human interference, the world is losing a lot of biodiversity very rapidly. If this biodiversity were better classified and recorded it would be a great help in conservation efforts. Conservation of biodiversity and the need for classification are related because taxonomy provides a way to record and better understand the relationships different species have with each other. That is why taxonomy is important in several ways. Some of which are as follows:

•     Taxonomy provides the proper name of a species. This name is important because this is a label that provides a vast amount of information about the organism including past research done on it and ensures an easy way of storing this information for future use
•     This categorisation must be undertaken before the beginning of any research venture into any particular organism or even ecosystem because it provides a way to conduct meaningful studies into biodiversity, bioprospecting, pest management, fisheries, medicine, etc
•     In pest management, it is essential to know the exact nature of the species being introduced to control the natural pest. This is facilitated by the proper classification of each of the species being brought under biological control projects
•     Conversely, taxonomy is important for border authorities and agencies in order to prevent and control the introduction of invasive species across ecosystems
•     This same principle is at work when quarantine authorities consult taxonomists. By doing so they are able to tell the harmfulness or lack thereof of any species about to be introduced into an environment. Taxonomists are also able to predict what effect the new species will have on the natives and thus prevent any biological destruction from occurring

Conservation is a major area of study in today’s world when the natural world is taking such rapid and drastic turns. In this area, biodiversity and the need for classification study material is an important resource.

Conclusion

Even though there is a rampant threat to biodiversity the rate of describing species has not increased over the past 70 years. This means that many species will become extinct before they are described and recorded. A lack of such knowledge will mean huge gaps in understanding extant species and how they relate to their environment. This lack of understanding will be detrimental to how the rest of the biodiversity is treated and managed. This ultimately will lead to a great amount of harm to life on the planet. That is why it is important for all the parties concerned to begin earnest endeavours in taxonomy.