Biodiversity
Biodiversity deals
with the degree of nature’s variety in the biosphere. The great variety of life
on earth has provided for man’s needs over thousands of years. This diversity
of living creatures forms a support system which has been used by each
civilization for its growth and development.
Biological diversity or nature’s variety in the biosphere can be observed at three levels; the genetic variability within a species, the variety of species within a community, and the organization of species in an area into distinctive plant and animal communities constitutes ecosystem diversity.
Types of Biodiversity:
Genetic Diversity:
Each member of any
animal or plant species differs widely from other individuals in its genetic
makeup because of the large number of combinations possible in the genes that
give every individual specific characteristic. Thus, for example, each human
being is very different from all others.
This genetic
variability is essential for a healthy breeding population of a species. If the
number of breeding individuals is reduced, the dissimilarity of genetic makeup
is reduced and in-breeding occurs. The diversity in wild species forms the
‘gene pool’ from which our crops and domestic animals have been developed over
thousands of years.
Modern biotechnology
manipulates genes for developing better types of medicines and a variety of
industrial products and also to create new varieties of more productive crops
and to breed better domestic animals.
Species Diversity:
Species is a basic
unit of classification and is defined as a group of similar organisms that mate
and produce offspring’s with one another and thus, share a common lineage.
The numbers of species of plants and animals that are present in a region constitutes its species diversity. This diversity is seen both in natural ecosystems and in agricultural ecosystems. Some areas are richer in species than others. Natural undisturbed tropical forests have much greater species richness than plantations. A natural forest ecosystem provides a large number of non-wood products that local people depend on such as fruit, fuel wood, fodder, fiber, gum, resin and medicines.
At present
conservation scientists have been able to identify and categorize about 1.75
million species on earth. However, many new species are being identified,
especially in the flowering plants and insects.
Areas that are rich in species diversity are
called ‘hotspots’ of diversity.
India is among the
world’s 15 nations that are exceptionally rich in species diversity.
Ecosystem or Community
Diversity:
There are a large
variety of different ecosystems on earth, which have their own complement of
distinctive inter linked species based on the differences in the habitat.
Ecosystem diversity can be described for a specific geographical region, or a
political entity such as a country, a state or a village.
Distinctive ecosystems include landscapes such as forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, etc., as well as aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and the sea. Ecosystems are most natural in wilderness areas.
If natural ecosystems
are overused or misused their productivity eventually decreases and they are
then said to be degraded.
Biodiversity is the most precious gift of nature mankind is blessed with. As all the organisms in an ecosystem are interlinked and interdependent, the value of biodiversity in the life of all the organisms including humans is enormous. The role of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services is twofold.
Firstly, biodiversity
is directly used as a source for food, fibre, fuel and other extractable
resources. Secondly, biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem
processes providing the regulating, cultural and supporting services.
For example,
vegetation cover protects the soil from erosion by binding soil particles and
minimizing the effects of water runoff. Likewise, cultivation of crops is to a
large extent dependent on the availability of pollinating insects.
Values of biodiversity
Biodiversity has a
fundamental value to humans because we are so dependent on it for our cultural,
economic, and environmental well-being. Elements of biodiversity can contribute
to cultural identity, and many ecosystem characteristics are frequently
incorporated into cultural traditions.
Some of the major
values of biodiversity are as follows:
1. Environmental Value 2. Social Value 3.
Ecosystem Services 4. Economic Value 5. Consumptive use value 6. Productive Use
Value 7. Ethical and Moral Value 8. Aesthetic Value.
Biodiversity has
proven to hold enormous value when adapted for use in health, agricultural, or
industrial applications. In the field of medicine alone, approximately 50% of
current prescription medicines are derived from or modelled on natural
substances. The health and diversity of ecosystems can have a significant effect
on the overall stability of nearby communities.
Many arguments to increase efforts to conserve diversity emphasize the value of the riches that is yet to be discovered, including potential sources of new foods, medicines, and energy which can further fuel economic activity, as well as a healthier population.
1. Ethical and Moral Value:
It is based on the principle of ‘live and let others live’. Ethical values related to biodiversity conservation are based on the importance of protecting all forms of life Man is only a small part of the Earth’s great family of species. All forms of life have the right to exist on earth. Morality and ethics teach us to preserve all forms of life and not to harm any organism unnecessarily.
Some people take pleasure in the hunting of animals. People also sometimes degrade and pollute the environment by their unethical actions. Through proper education and awareness, the people’s conscience against such practices must be raised.
Every species has its moral right to exist on earth. Every human culture, religion and society has its own ethical values. There are several cultural, moral and ethical values, which are associated with the conservation of biodiversity. We have in our country a large number of sacred grooves preserved by tribal people in several States. These sacred groves around ancient sacred sites and temples act as gene banks for wild plants.
Each species is unique and has a right to exist. Each species is worthy of respect regardless of its worth to human beings. This point of view was recognized in the World Charter for Nature, adopted by the United Nations in 1982.
2. Aesthetic Value:
The beauty of our planet is because of biodiversity, which otherwise would have resembled other barren planets around the universe. Biological diversity adds to the quality of life and provides some of the most beautiful aspects of our existence.
Biodiversity is responsible for the beauty of a landscape. Each species and ecosystem adds to the richness and beauty of life on Earth. Once a species becomes extinct, it is gone forever. A natural ecosystem once destroyed is impossible to recreate. The value people attribute to the aesthetic function of nature is partly reflected in the number of people who visit areas of natural beauty.
People go far off places to enjoy the natural surroundings and wildlife. This type of tourism is referred to as eco-tourism is now become a major source of income in many countries. In many societies, the diversity of flora and fauna has become a part of the traditions and culture of the region and has added to the aesthetic values of the place.
(contd..)
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