Biodiversity can refer to the sheer variety, number, and diversity of living organisms in specific geographical locations. It describes the numerous types of plants, animals and other organisms (micro and macro) and the variations in their genetics.
The weathered material of the earth provides the base for the variation in the survival of biodiverse organisms. Although several factors play a crucial role, 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
- 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 while considering 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 between different ecosystems.
- On average, the half-life of any given species is 1-4 million years. Approximately 99% of all species that ever existed on earth are extinct, which contributed to the true beauty of the diversity of living organisms on the planet.
- Biodiversity is unevenly found on the earth. It is significantly rich in the tropics. Larger populations of fewer species are found near the polar region.
Types of Biodiversity
There are three different types of biodiversity. They are genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Combined, they describe the biodiversity of an area of sea, land, etc., as the region may be small or large. For example, the biodiversity of Korea or a pond is all ecological habitats in which we can measure biodiversity. Let’s learn about the three different types:
Genetic Diversity
Within a species, genetic diversity refers to the range of various inherited features. There would be numerous individuals with a wide variety of attributes in a species with significant genetic diversity. A population’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances is dependent on genetic variation.
Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity refers to the differences in ecosystems found within a given geographic area, as well as their overall impact on human life and the environment. Ecosystem diversity refers to the interaction of biotic (biodiversity) and abiotic (geodiversity) properties in a system.
Species Diversity
This refers to the numbers and spread. In simpler terms, it is about the various species living in an ecosystem and their distribution. When we consider the number of various species of an ecosystem, we refer to the species richness. Thus, it is about the number of different species and not how they are distributed. The terms species diversity and species richness are not synonymous.
- Species diversity refers to various species and relates to the number of species in a defined area.
- Different parameters are used to measure the species diversity in an area, including metrics such as richness, density, abundance, and varieties.
- Due to the difference in the earth’s topography and other geographical restraints, all areas do not possess the same density of species diversity. Some areas are naturally richer in species than others.
The Importance of Biodiversity
Since the term’s inception, various studies have been conducted about the importance of biodiversity and its influence on the quality of life on Earth in general and all the aspects of our ecosystem that it can affect. As it turns out, biodiversity is necessary to maintain various parts of the complex balance of nature. Thus, the value of biodiversity is not only in its ability to keep several processes and organisms extant but also in the fact that it contributes to the future of life on the earth.
Some areas that biodiversity influences are as follows:
- Human health: Biodiversity influences health issues like
- Nutritional security
- Dietary health
- Medicinal resources
- Spread and control of infectious diseases
- Psychological and social health
- Business and industry: Several industrial materials are sourced from the natural world. These may include dyes, fibres, oils and building materials, etc. The value of biodiversity lies in conserving the quality of all these materials found in nature.
- Ecological services: Biodiversity directly regulates water purification, recycling nutrients, and soil fertility. Thus, it is involved in affecting the chemistry of water and, to some extent, even air.
- Psychological health: Communing with nature is relaxing. A rich ecosystem adds to the beauty of our world. Activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching, and nature journaling are enriched by high biodiversity.
- Agriculture: Biodiversity ensures that outbreaks of infectious diseases among crops are limited and controllable; plants increase the remineralisation of soil and organic matter in the ground, thus increasing the fertility of the earth. Biodiversity even increases crop yield.
Conservation of Biodiversity
- All lifeforms are highly interlinked. Disturbance in one life form can cause a massive imbalance in the survival of other lifeforms. Even if one species of plants or animals are endangered, it could cause permanent loss of biodiversity and degradation in the environment. It directly threatens the survival of human beings.
- The need to increase awareness among people and begin adopting eco-friendly practices is urgently required. The necessity to reorient our activities to ensure that our development does not come at the cost of other species and lifeforms but is rather sustainable has never been higher before.
- The awareness that conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use is possible only with the cooperation of individuals and local communities is rapidly increasing. Institutional structures are necessary to be developed at the local, district, and state levels.
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 includes various resources that can be utilised to produce food, medicines, and other necessary (and luxurious) products.
- These natural resources include food crops, livestock, forests, oceans, medicinal herbs, and wood.
Conclusion
It is the overall amount of biological variation that is introduced by the term biodiversity. A species’ diversity may change globally, regionally, and with time according to Charles Darwin’s theories. Climate, elevation, and species-area interactions all influence biodiversity patterns. Seasonal and successional trends in species diversity are also apparent. Taking care of our planet’s biodiversity will ensure that future generations can see and benefit from the world’s incredible variety.