Biodiversity and Conservations

Introduction

Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the prevalence of distinct types of ecosystems, different species of animals, and their variants. These variants include biotypes, ecotypes, and genes modified to diverse climates and habitats in different places and their interactions and processes.
Biodiversity refers to the diverse range of microorganisms, algae, fungi, plants, and animals found on the planet, whether in terrestrial or aquatic settings, as well as the ecological complexes. From macromolecules to biomes, there is a wide range of diversity.

Extent of Biodiversity and Conservation

• India has about 45,000 plant species and nearly twice as many animal species as the United States. As a result, India is considered one of the world’s 12 mega-diversity-bearing countries
• The tropics and coral reefs are thought to be home to a slew of unidentified species
• Species richness in the tropics and temperate areas can be used to estimate the number of species in the tropics. In temperate climates, most groups of species have essentially complete inventories
• Scientists estimate that there are around 5.50 million species of creatures on the planet
• The most fascinating part of biodiversity and conservation is that animals account for more than half of all species, whereas plants account for only a quarter
• Insects are the most numerous animals, accounting for around 7 out of every 10 animals

There is a lack of knowledge regarding protists, archaebacteria, and viruses, and with that knowledge, the magnitude of biodiversity will grow even more.

Levels of Biodiversity and Conservation

Here are the different levels of biodiversity that come under the biodiversity and conservation study material.

1. Genetic Diversity

• It is the amount and kind of genes as well as chromosomes found in various species, as well as differences in genes and alleles within the same species
• A bacteriophage contains 100 genes on average, whereas Drosophila melanogaster has 13000 genes and homo sapiens has 30,000–40,000 genes
• As the size and environmental factors of the habitat rise, so does the variation in a species’ genes
• Genetic variety aids in the adaptation of organisms to changing environmental situations
• It aids in the evolution of new species through speciation
• Less genetic variability within a species or variety is beneficial for yield uniformity and higher yield
• Lower genetic diversity is more susceptible to degradation and mass-scale devastation when it comes to fungal or insect attacks

2. Species Diversity

•  It is the richness and variation of a region’s species in terms of number and richness
• The number of species present per unit area is referred to as species richness
• The number of individuals of different species in a particular area represents species evenness of species equitability
• Evenness is found in communities wherein species are represented by roughly the same number of individuals
• Dominance or unevenness can be seen in communities where one or more species has more members than others
• Species diversity is the result of species richness, evenness, or equitability
• The Shannon index is a popular diversity metric in ecological research

Community and Ecosystem Diversity

Listed below are the types of community diversity:

(i) Within community diversity, there is alpha diversity. Species richness and evenness are the factors that influence species diversity. There are a lot of rivalries, adaptations, and inter-relationships among members of the same community. Variations are limited in this area.

(ii) Between communities, there is beta variability. Within the geographical area, it appears along a habitat gradient. Changes in communities may arise as a result of differences in microhabitats, niches, and environmental conditions, which could lead to species replacement.

(iii) Gamma diversity refers to the range of community diversity reflected by the diversity of habitats or ecosystems across the entire landscape of a geographical location.

India as Mega Diversity Region

• India has achieved a unique distinction by being designated as a mega diversity nation
• There are ten biogeographical regions in the country. The biogeographical zones of India include Desert, Gangetic Plain, Semi-arid, the Himalaya, Western Ghats, Trans Himalaya, Deccan Peninsula, Coasts, North-East, and Islands
• There are 6 wetlands, 89 national parks, 492 wildlife sanctuaries, 14 biosphere reserves, and 5 world heritage sites in India. There are 27 tiger reserves in the nation
• The Deccan peninsula is the greatest biogeographical region, and the Western Ghat and northeast are the biogeographical zones with the most biodiversity

Biological variability, species composition, and ecological/ecosystem diversity are all elements of biodiversity and conservation. The greater the genetic variation among a species’ organisms, the more resilient it is to environmental shocks. Genetically homogeneous populations are more susceptible to disease in a hostile environment.

Biodiversity Conservation

The biodiversity can be conserved due to the following groups of regions. Let’s discuss these regions briefly covered in biodiversity and conservation study material.

1. The Narrowly Utilitarian– Food, firewood, textiles, construction materials, medicinal plants, and industrial products are just a few of the direct economic benefits that humans receive from nature. With more resources devoted to “bio-prospecting,” countries with abundant biodiversity might expect to gain significant benefits.
2. The Broadly Utilitarian– The importance of biodiversity in ecosystem services provided by nature cannot be overstated. The production of oxygen during photosynthesis, pollination without the use of a natural pollinator, and the joy of being in nature are all valuable.
3. Ethical– Biodiversity and conservation refers to what we own in terms of the millions of plants, animals, and microbes with whom we share this world. Every species has intrinsic value, even if it isn’t currently or economically valuable to us. It is our moral responsibility to look for their well-being and ensure that our biological inheritance is passed on in good condition to future generations.

Conservation of Biodiversity

When an ecosystem is preserved, all of its biodiversity is preserved as well. The two approaches that are an integral part of biodiversity and conservation study material are:

• On-Site Conservation 

Conservationists have selected specific ‘biodiversity hotspots,’ locations with high levels of species richness and endemism, or species found only in that region and nowhere else, for maximal protection. 

In the world, there are 34 biodiversity hotspots. These hotspots are also areas where habitat loss is accelerating. There are 14 biosphere reserves in India, as well as 90 national parks and 448 wildlife refuges.

• Off-Site Conservation

This strategy involves removing threatened animals and plants from their native habitat and placing them in a suitable area where they may be preserved and cared for. This is done at zoological parks, botanical gardens, and wildlife safari parks. 

Cryopreservation allows threatened species’ gametes to be kept in a viable and fertile state for lengthy periods. Plants can be propagated using tissue culture procedures and eggs can be fertilised in vitro.

Conclusion

The presence of various types of genes, gene pools, species, habitats, and ecosystems in a given location is referred to as biodiversity.

Since humans utilise the majority of biodiversity resources, it is their primary obligation to preserve and safeguard biodiversity to protect the planet. The diversity of species, the ecosystem, the environment, and the long-term viability of life on Earth are all crucial factors.

The abundance of biodiversity aids in the maintenance of the ecological system in a variety of ways. Biodiversity and conservation are important for the survival of all living things on the planet. As a result, biodiversity protection is receiving a lot of attention these days.