Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity? 

Biodiversity can refer to the sheer variety, number and diversity of living organisms in specific geographical locations. Often, biodiversity is used to describe the numerous types of plants, animals and other organisms (micro and macro) and the variations in their genetics, among other things. 

The weathered material of the earth provides a base for diversity, which provides the base for the survival of other organisms in the biodiversity. While many factors are at play, the root cause for this variation can be attributed to the input of light and heat energy from the sun (i.e. solar energy) and water. 

Biodiversity: Short Notes

• Biodiversity refers to the sheer variety and number of flora and fauna (plants, animals and other microorganisms) found in a specific geographical region
• Biodiversity is a spectacle of constant evolution when seen from the view of individual organisms, and sometimes, entire species, as a whole
• Biodiversity relates to the differences and variability among all organisms (flora, fauna and other microorganisms) on the earth. This includes the variability and differences found within the same species (species diversity) or the differences and variabilities found between different ecosystems
• When we realise that, on average, the half-life of any given species is somewhere around 1-4 million years. About 99% of all species that ever existed on earth are extinct; we begin to grasp the true beauty of the diversity of living organisms on the planet
• Biodiversity is not found evenly on the earth. It is consistently richer in the tropics and as one approaches the polar regions, one finds larger and larger populations of fewer and fewer species

Types of Biodiversity

Genetic Diversity: 

• Genes are attributed as the building blocks of all the different life forms found on our planet

• The differences and variations found within different species are called genetic biodiversity

• Species are groups of organisms that have similar physical characteristics. Species is the unit of biodiversity 

• • If two organisms belong to the same species, it does not mean that they are not genetically diverse
  • For instance, all human beings belong to the species called Homo Sapiens. However, no two human beings look precisely the same and differ in different characteristics like height, weight, race, and colour, among other things
  • These differences arise due to genetic diversity

• Genetic diversity is essential for the healthy breeding of a population of species

Species Diversity: 

• Species Diversity refers to the variety of species and relates to the number of species in a defined area
• There are different parameters to measure the diversity of species in an area, including metrics like richness, density, abundance and varieties
• Due to the difference in Earth’s topography and other geographical restraints, not all areas have the same density of species diversity. Some areas are naturally richer in species than others
• Areas rich in species diversity are called ‘hotspots of diversity

Ecosystem Diversity:  

• The type of biodiversity that deals with the differences and variations between and within different types of ecosystems and variations in habitats and other ecological processes  within the diverse different ecosystems are called Ecosystem Diversity

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is very crucial for the development of human culture. Biodiversity has shaped how we humans have developed. In turn, we, the human communities, have also played a significant part in moulding the natural diversity of nature at all three levels (genetic, species and ecosystem)

Biodiversity plays the following roles:

Ecological Role of Biodiversity

• Different species perform different functions at various capacities in the ecosystem. Not a single organism in an ecosystem exists, evolves and survives, without playing an ecological role

• These ecological functions that the different species perform include the capturing and storing energy, production and decomposition of organic materials, the cyclical rotation of water and nutrients (water cycle and life cycle) throughout the ecosystem, maintaining the balance of atmospheric gases and the regulation of climate among others

• • These functions play a crucial role in the functioning of the ecosystem and in extension and survival of the human race

• As a rule of thumb, the higher the biodiversity in an ecosystem,  higher the chances of species survival from external forces in the form of adversities and attacks. As a direct result, the species can be more productive

• This also means that when the diversity dwindles, it harshly affects the ability of the system to sustain itself

• Like the gene theory, where a species with high genetic diversity has a better chance of survival (survival of the fittest), an ecosystem with high genetic and species diversity has a significantly greater chance to survive and adapt to adverse environmental changes

Economic Role of Biodiversity 

• Crop Diversity, also called agrobiodiversity, plays a crucial role in the development of the human economy. Agriculture is the backbone for the success of any economy

• Biodiversity, in economics, can be viewed as a collection of a variety of resources and can be utilised to produce food, medicines and other necessary (and luxurious) products. 
• These resources provided to us by nature include food crops, livestock, forests, oceans, medicinal herbs, wood, etc.

Scientific Role of Biodiversity:

• Biodiversity is important because each species gives some clues about the evolution of life
• Biodiversity also helps in understanding the functioning of life and the role of each species in sustaining ecosystems

• Conclusion

  The phrase “biodiversity” refers to the great variety of life on Earth. It may also be used to refer to all of the species in a certain location or habitat. Every living creature, including plants, microbes, animals, and people, is included in the term “biodiversity.” Scientists believe that there are around 8.7 million plant and animal species on the planet. However, only around 1.2 million species have been recognised and described so far, with the majority of them being insects. This implies that millions of different creatures are completely unknown. All of the species that are still living today have acquired distinctive characteristics that distinguish them from other species throughout generations. These distinctions are used by scientists to distinguish one species from another. Different species are organisms that have developed to be so dissimilar to one another that they can no longer procreate with one another. All creatures that can reproduce with one another belong to the same species.