BIODIVERSITY?

The term biodiversity is made up of two words BIO and DIVERSITY Bio means living and diversity means variety. So the variety or variability of organisms and ecosystem is referred to as biodiversity.Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth; it is usually greater in the tropics as a result of the warm climate and high primary productivity in the region near the equator. Tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10% of earth's surface and contain about 90% of the world's species. Marine biodiversity is usually higher along coasts in the Western Pacific, where sea surface temperature is highest, and in the mid-latitudinal band in all oceans. There are latitudinal gradients in species diversity. Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots, and has been increasing through time, but will be likely to slow in the future as a primary result of deforestation. It encompasses the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.

--> GENETIC BOODIVERSITY?

Variations among the genes of the same species are known as genetic diversity. It is this type of diversity that gives rise to the different varieties of rice, mangoes,etc.

-->Importance of Genetic Diversity

Genetic diversity gives rise to different physical attributes to the individual and capacity to adapt to stress, diseases and unfavourable environmental conditions.

Environmental changes that are natural or due to human intervention, lead to the natural selection and survival of the fittest. Hence, due to genetic diversity, the varieties that are susceptible, die and the ones who can adapt to changes will survive.

diversity is important for a healthy population by maintaining different varieties of genes that might be resistant to pests, diseases or other conditions.

New varieties of plants can be grown by cross-breeding different genetic variants and produce plants with desirable traits like disease resistance, increased tolerance to stress.

Genetic diversity reduces the recurrence of undesirable inherited traits.

Genetic diversity ensures that at least there are some survivors of a species left

--> ECOSYSTEM BIODIVERSITY?

Ecosystem diversity is the diversity of habitats which include the different life forms within. The term also refers to the variety of ecosystems found within a bio geographical political boundary.

-->IMPORTANCE OF ECOSYSTEM BIODIVERSITY

It is essential for the survival of all species, including humans.

It boosts the availability of oxygen via the process of photosynthesis amongst plant organisms domiciled in the habitat.

It helps in the purification of water by plant varieties for use by humans.

It helps to maintain the ecosystem in balance, recycling and storage of nutrients, combating pollution, stabilizing climate, forming and protecting the soil.

It provides medicines and pharmaceuticals, food for the human and animal population.

--> FOOD WEB, A MAIN COMPONENT OF BIODIVERSITY!!

A food chain is a network of links in a food web. Here, the producers are consumed by the predators-primary and secondary consumers and then the detritivores and finally by decomposers. When many such individual food chains occur in an ecosystem, it is known as Food Web.

A food chain shows a direct transfer of energy between organisms. As every organism can feed on multiple things, a food web is a much more realistic and simplified method of transferring energy in an ecosystem.

Both food chains and food webs are similar to each other, but they are not the same. We will explore the differences here.

A food chain presents a unique, connected path of energy flow in an ecosystem, whereas the food web explains how food chains overlap. Both food chains and food webs, shares three types of organisms in a food chain: producers, consumers and decomposers.

--> HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.

Hotspots are the richest and the most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on earth.

Biodiversity Hotspots – 2 Main Qualifying Criteria

According to Conservation International, a region must fulfill the following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot:

The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high degree of endemism.
It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.
the criteria must for an area to be declared as Biodiversity Hotspot, there are major four biodiversity hotspots in India:

The Himalayas
Indo-Burma Region
The Western Ghats
Sundaland

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

“Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection, upliftment, and management of biodiversity in order to derive sustainable benefits for present and future generations.”

Biodiversity conservation is the protection and management of biodiversity to obtain resources for sustainable development.

To preserve the diversity of species.
Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystem.
maintain life-supporting systems and essential ecological processes.

METHODS OF CONSERVATION

Biodiversity refers to the variability of life on earth. It can be conserved in the following ways:

In-situ Conservation
Ex-situ Conservation

In-situ Conservation

In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the conservation of species within their natural habitat. In this method, the natural ecosystem is maintained and protected.

The in-situ conservation has several advantages. Following are the important advantages of in-situ conservation:

It is a cost-effective and convenient method of conserving biodiversity.
A large number of living organisms can be conserved simultaneously.
the organisms are in a natural ecosystem, they can evolve better and can easily adjust to different environmental conditions.
Certain protected areas where in-situ conservation takes place include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

National Parks

These are small reserves maintained by the government. Its boundaries are well demarcated and human activities such as grazing, forestry, habitat and cultivation are prohibited. For eg., Kanha National Park, and Bandipur National Park.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

These are the regions where only wild animals are found. Human activities such as timber harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods and other forest products are allowed here as long as they do not interfere with the conservation project. Also, tourists visit these places for recreation.

Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas where the wildlife, traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants and domesticated plants and animals are protected. Tourist and research activities are permitted here.

For more information: Parks And Sanctuaries

Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves the breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial ecosystems such as zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. There is less competition for food, water and space among the organisms.

Ex-situ conservation has the following advantages:

The animals are provided with a longer time and breeding activity.
The species bred in captivity can be reintroduced in the wild.
Genetic techniques can be used for the preservation of endangered species.