Biodiversity
Biodiversity
“Biodiversity is our most Valuable but
Least appreciated resources” – Edward O Wilson
What is Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a variety of life exhibit by different
species of fauna and flora living on earth.
It is an important
component of Earth’s Biosphere, which interacts with other important components
of the earth – Lithosphere, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere.
Types of
Biodiversity-
On the basis of Diversity-
· Genetic Diversity- Genetic variations within the population of a species.
· Species Diversity- Variation between the communities of species
· Ecosystem Diversity- Variation between the species living in different types of ecosystem.
On the basis of Ecosystem-
· Terrestrial Biodiversity- Biodiversity endemic to a large area
characterized by Climatic and Physical factors like Temperature, Pressure,
Rainfall etc. or specific ecology of the region.
Example – Terrestrial Biome, Himalayan ecology,
Western Ghats ecology, Amazon Forest ecology etc.
· Aquatic Biodiversity- Part of Fresh water and Marine Ecosystem, highly rich in
species diversity.
Example- Fresh water ecology like rivers,
lakes and Marine ecology like sea, Oceans etc.
· Ecotone Biodiversity- Species diversity found along the zones between Terrestrial
and Aquatic ecosystem and are highly rich in Biodiversity comprising species of
both ecosystems.
Example- Estuaries,
Mangrove Ecosystem
Role of Biodiversity-
Biodiversity benefit Earth and Human
in many sphere, mentioned as follows-
* To manage
ecological balance and equilibrium on earth.
* To
ensure Food security
* To
protect Health system by consuming many harmful Pathogens like virus, bacteria,
fungi etc.
* To
control Climate change and Global warming as Forest act as a Carbon sink
thereby reducing concentration of CO2
* To play
important role in economic development of the region as well as nation. Eg-
national parks, eco-tourism, forest products etc.
* Important
for cultural practices and religious rituals like cow, monkey, sacred groves
etc.
* Act as
source of livelihood for many villagers and tribal communities.
* Act as
cleaner and natural sanitizers to reduce waste with the help of detritivores
and decomposers.
* Important
for scientific research and genetic engineering to create GMOs, Bio pesticides,
Bio fuels etc. which is important for food and energy security of the nation.
Threat
to Biodiversity-
As per COP13 of CMS (Convention of Migratory Species) held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat- This Era is
characterized as 6th Mass Extinction due to Anthropogenic
Activities.
There are many Unsustainable practices like-
· Unsustainable Urbanization
· Habitat Fragmentation and Habitat
loss of Wild Species
· Deforestation and Desertification
· Climate change and Global Warming
· Environmental Pollution and Plastic
Pollution
· Eutrophication
· Bio accumulation and Bio
magnification etc.
cause huge loss to Biodiversity.
Steps taken to Conserve
Biodiversity-
At Global Level-
There
are many steps have been taken at international level to preserve and conserve
Biodiversity-
IUCN, CITES, CMS, UN-CBD etc. have been
adopted
At National Level-
Legislations,
Laws, Rules and Regulations etc. have been adopted at national level to
conserve Biodiversity.
· National Biodiversity Act,2002; Wild
life protection Act,1972; Environment Protection Act,1986; Forest Acts etc.
· In-situ Conservation like National
Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries, Bird Sanctuaries etc.
· Ex-situ Conservations Like Zoological
Gardens, Botanical gardens, Seed Banks etc.
· Afforestation, Reforestation, Social
Forestry, Agro-ecology etc. to conserve Biodiversity.
At least 40% of World economy and 80%
of Poor’s need derived from Biological resources, therefore the richer the
biodiversity, greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, Economic
development and Adaptive response to new challenges such as Climate change.
There is need of sustainable
economic activities which also benefit to Biodiversity.
There should be a Symbiotic
relationship between Human and Biodiversity and Human must respect it.
-by Pooja Gupta
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