Elements of Biodiversity

The term “biodiversity” refers to the enormous variety of life on the planet. It can also apply to all of the species found in a given area or region. Biodiversity includes plants, microbes, animals, and humans. There are around 8.7 million plant and animal species on the globe, according to biologists. So far, only roughly 1.2 million species have been identified and described, the bulk of which are insects. This implies that millions of other animals exist but are unknown.

All of the species that are alive today have evolved distinctive features that distinguish them from other species over generations. Scientists utilise these differences to distinguish between species. Different species are organisms that have developed to be so dissimilar from one another that they can no longer procreate with one another. One species includes all organisms that can reproduce with one another.

Elements of Biodiversity

1. Species Diversity

“Species diversity refers to the number of different species and their relative abundance in a given ecosystem.”

When all of the species in a region are equally numerous, diversity is greatest. Species diversity is made up of two elements:

• Species richness: The number of species found in a given ecosystem. Tropical places have more species diversity because the ecosystem supports a high variety of species.

• Species evenness: Individuals of each of the species’ relative abundance. It is said to have high evenness if the number of individuals within a species is reasonably stable throughout communities, while it is said to have poor evenness if the number of individuals fluctuates from species to species. High evenness leads to more particular diversity.

Great species richness and poor species evenness can coexist in an ecosystem.

For example

There may be a significant number of different species (high species richness) in a forest, but only a few individuals of each species (low species evenness).There may be few plant species in a forest (low species richness), yet many of each species (high species evenness).Species diversity varies by geographical location, with the tropics having the most and the poles having the least. The majority species are found in tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and the ocean bottom zone.With increasing explored area, species richness increases.Every ecosystem contains a unique collection of organisms that interact with one another. In some ecosystems, there are much more species than in others. In some areas, one species has become so large that it now dominates the natural community. An ecosystem with a large number of species but no species that outnumbers the others is said to have the most species variety when comparing ecosystem biodiversity. Even if some species become extinct, a large number of species can aid in the recovery of an ecosystem from ecological stressors.

2. Genetic Diversity

In a given habitat, genetic diversity describes how closely related members of one species are. In simple terms, a species has limited genetic diversity if all members share numerous similar genes. Due to inbreeding, endangered animals may have minimal genetic diversity due to their small numbers. This can be dangerous to a population if it causes unwanted features to be passed forward or makes the species more susceptible to disease. High genetic diversity aids adaptation to changing surroundings.

Importance of Genetic Diversity-

• Individuals with diverse physical qualities and the ability to adapt to stress, diseases, and unfavourable environmental conditions have different genetic diversity.

• Natural or anthropogenic changes in the environment result in natural selection and survival of the fittest. As a result of genetic diversity, vulnerable kinds perish while those that can adapt to change thrive.

• Maintaining distinct kinds of genes that may be resistant to pests, diseases, or other situations is crucial for a healthy population.

• Cross-breeding distinct genetic variants can result in new plant varieties with desirable features such as disease resistance and greater stress tolerance.

• The occurrence of unwanted inherited traits is reduced by genetic variety.

• Genetic variety ensures that at least some members of a species will survive.

For Example

• Dogs of many breeds. Specific qualities are bred into dogs.

• Rose flower varieties, wheat varieties, and so on.

• In India, there are about 50,000 types of rice and over a thousand varieties of mangoes.

• The amount of chemical reserpine produced by different types of the medicinal plant Rauvolfia vomitoria found in different Himalayan ranges varies.

3. Ecosystem Diversity

Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity of ecosystems within a given geographic area, as well as their overall impact on human life and the environment. Biodiversity includes ecological diversity. It is the variance in ecosystems found in a region or across the entire world. Biodiversity is vital because it cleans our water, influences our climate, and feeds us. Ecological diversity encompasses both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem variety. Ecological diversity can also explain disparities in the complexity of biological communities. The number of various niches, the number of trophic levels, and other ecological processes are all included.

A region may have multiple ecosystems or only one. Oceans or deserts with large expanses of land are examples of low ecological diversity locations. In this respect, a mountainous location with lakes, woods, and grasslands would have more biodiversity. When one environment is endangered by drought or disease, a region having many ecosystems may be able to supply more resources to help local species thrive.

The variance in ecosystems is an example of ecological diversity on a global scale. The biggest scale of biodiversity is ecological diversity. There is a large variety of species and genetic diversity within each ecosystem.

Importance of Biodiversity

Life’s diversity enhances our quality of life in ways that are difficult to define. Biodiversity is intrinsically valued and essential to our emotional, psychological, and spiritual health. Some people believe that being stewards for the rest of the world’s living organisms is a vital human obligation.

Diversity encourages more diversity. The presence of a varied range of living species permits other organisms to benefit from the resources available. Birds, insects, various plants and animals, fungi, and bacteria, for example, rely on trees for habitat and nutrients.

Food, shelter, and health have always been dependent on the Earth’s biodiversity. The following biological resources produce products for human consumption:

• Food— hunting, fishing, and gathering species, as well as those produced for agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture; 

• Shelter and warmth— wood and other forest resources, as well as fibres like wool and cotton;

• Medicines— Traditional remedies, as well as those made from biological resources and processes, are available.

Conclusion

Given that there is still so much biodiversity to find, scientists are interested in how much biodiversity exists on a global basis. They also look at the number of species in a single ecosystem, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. From beetles to snakes to antelopes, a single grassland can support a diverse spectrum of animals. The warm and moist climate of tropical regions, for example, provides optimum environmental conditions for plant growth in ecosystems that contain the most biodiversity. Ecosystems can also house species that are too small to notice with the human eye.