Introduction
Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth from genes level to level of ecosystems. It takes into consideration the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.
Biodiversity includes all types of species be it rare, threatened, or endangered. It also includes all living things from humans to organisms we are little aware of such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates.
Looking at biodiversity from a philosophical aspect it represents the knowledge learned by evolving species about how to survive through the vastly varying environmental conditions Earth has experienced over the years.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a valuable characteristic of all living nature. It can be defined as the various varieties of life organisms with all their variability both at the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
Scientists have researched and found that almost two million species of plants and animals out of about 10 million ones occur on Earth. It means that almost 80% of them do not even have a name. These researches show the multitude and variety of forms that living matter can take.
Nature develops and sustains diversity in the evolution process. On the other hand, the ongoing development of specimens with new traits and their new combinations increases the likelihood of species existence in the event of subsequent changes in the environment.
Levels of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is segregated into different levels on the basis of diversity of genes, species and resources in a particular region.
Species Diversity: A unique collection of species which interacts with each other is found in every ecosystem. Some ecosystems may have many more species in comparison to others. In some ecosystems, one species dominates the natural community as it has grown so larger than the others. A large number of species can help recover from ecological threats in an ecosystem, even if some species go extinct.
Genetic Diversity: Genetic diversity describes how the members of one species are closely related in a given ecosystem. Simply, if all members have many similar genes, a low genetic diversity is seen in the species. Endangered species may have low genetic diversity due to inbreeding and thus they have small populations. Inheritance of undesirable traits can make the species more susceptible to diseases and thereby can pose a threat to the population. A high genetic diversity helps species to adapt to the changing environments.
Ecosystem Diversity: A region may have one or several ecosystems. Examples of regions with low ecological diversity would be wide expanses of oceans or deserts. In accordance with this sense, a mountain area that has lakes, forests and grasslands would have higher biodiversity. A region that has several ecosystems may be able to provide more resources for the survival of native species, especially when an ecosystem is suffering from drought or disease.
Functional Diversity: Functional diversity means a way of how species behave, obtain food and use the natural resources of an ecosystem. A species-rich ecosystem is assumed to have high functional diversity, because there exist many species with many different natures. A functional diversity of the ecosystem can be useful to ecologists who are trying to conserve or restore it, because with the known nature and roles of species, they can point to gaps in a food cycle or ecological niches which species lack.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Biodiversity conservation simply means to protect and manage the biodiversity for obtaining sustainable development of resources.
The three main objectives to conserve biodiversity are:
Preservation of the diversity of species.
Utilization of species and ecosystems to make them sustainable.
Maintenance of systems supporting life and essential ecological processes.
Types of Conservation
Conservation of biodiversity can be done in two different types, namely the ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation and agriculture diversity conservation.
Ex situ conservation: Ex situ conservation means conserving the areas beyond where they naturally occur. Animals and plants that are reared or cultivated in areas like zoological or botanical parks come under this method of conservation. Introducing an animal or plant which has become extinct back to its habitat is also a form of ex situ conservation. Seed Banks, botanical, horticultural and recreational gardens are important centres for ex situ conservation.
In situ conservation: In situ conservation means conserving the areas within the natural habitat of animals and plants. The establishment of natural reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, etc. comes under in situ conservation. It is a method which is cost-effective and convenient to conserve biodiversity. Organisms live a natural ecosystem and thereby evolve more efficiently and adjust to various environmental conditions. Also, a large number of living organisms can be conserved under a natural habitat.
Agrobiodiversity conservation: The result of the interaction between the environment, genetic resources and systems of management and practices used by culturally diverse people is known as agriculture diversity conservation. The land and water resources are used for production in different agriculture diversity. Agrobiodiversity includes the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms which are necessary for performance of key functions of the agriculture ecosystem.
Importance of Biodiversity Conservation
Economic growth and poverty reduction: Biodiversity helps to derive food, construction material, fibre, firewood, industrial products, and medicinal value from natural environments that benefit humans. Researches prove that the majority of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend upon wetlands, forests, pastures, and water for their livelihoods.
Continuity of various ecosystems globally: Biodiversity plays an important role for rendering and protection of organisms in the ecosystem. Through biodiversity conservation, ecosystems like the coral reefs, tundra, rivers and streams, and grasslands can as well be supported and protected.
Aesthetic value: People’s culture is enhanced as the environment provides great pleasure to human beings with its shape, structure, senses, and colour. Visits to animal parks, bird watching, nature art, and cultural heritage enjoying and appreciating nature are only made possible through biodiversity conservation.
Ecological balance: Biodiversity helps balance between atmospheric carbon dioxide and oxygen. Global warming and natural calamities are results of failure to conserve biodiversity. Biodiversity influences the air turbulence, temperature and precipitation for maintenance of the micro, local or regional climate.
Ethical value: Ethics on environmental sustainability and conservation can be encouraged through biodiversity. Ecosystem’s right of an organism states that every form of life in any ecosystem is unique in its own way and deserves respect from human beings.
Conclusion
Biodiversity and the various methods for its conservation has been discussed in the article. We have discussed the various levels of biodiversity like the ecosystem diversity, genetic diversity, etc. Also, we have learnt about the different types of methods to conserve biodiversity for example the ex situ diversity and in situ diversity. We have further discussed the various reasons why it is important to conserve biodiversity. To sum up, we can conclude that biodiversity is an important topic to discuss as it gives us details about various species around us and their importance and lifestyles.