Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The variety or variability of organisms and ecosystem is referred to as biodiversity. 

The existence of million of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, their genetic backgrounds, and the complex ecosystems to which they belong show the immense biodiversity present in the biosphere.
Types of Biodiversity
•Genetic diversity - Diversity of genes within a species, i.e., genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species.
• Species diversity- Diversity among species in an ecosystem. ‘Biodiversity hotspots’  are excellent examples of species diversity.
• Ecosystem diversity- Diversity at a higher level of organization, i.e., the ecosystem. It concerns the variety of ecosystems on Earth.
Value of  Biodiversity
•Survival

•Health and healing

•Food security

•Productive value

•Ethical value

•Aesthetic pleasure

•Ecological services

Hotspots of Biodiversity

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

Hotspots are classified on the basis of three criteria :

•The number of species present

•The number of those species that exist exclusively in the given                                                      ecosystem

•The degree of threat they face

Endangered Species

The species which are at the verge of extinction are known as endangered species. For example

•Asiatic elephant

•Great Indian Rhino

Endemic Species

The species which are confined to a particular region are known as endemic species.

These species remain limited in their distribution because of certain geographical barriers, such as sea, valley, mountain, etc.

Threats to Biodiversity

•Unplanned development and habitat destruction

•Poaching

•Environmental pollution

•Global climate change

•Invasion by introduced species

•Nature of legal systems

•Mining

•Exploitation of water resources

•Eutrophication

•Waste disposal

Conservation of Biodiversity

In situ Conservation

•National parks

•Wildlife sanctuaries

•Biosphere reserves

Ex situ Conservation

•Gene banks

•Botanical gardens

•Aquaria

•Tissue culture technique

•DNA technology

Biodiversity at Global  Level

On the Basis of  Vegetation

•Arctic  Zone

•Northern Temperate  Zone

•South Temperate Zone

•Tropical  Zone

On the Basis of  Fauna

 

•Oriental Region

•Australian Region

•Neotropical Region

•Nearctic Region

•Paleartic Region