Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety). In simple terms, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region. It refers to the varieties of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Biodiversity holds ecological and economic significance. It provides us with nourishment, housing, fuel, clothing and several other resources. It also extracts monetary benefits through tourism. Therefore, it is very important to have a good knowledge of biodiversity for a sustainable livelihood.

There are the following three different types of biodiversity:

• Genetic Biodiversity
• Species Biodiversity
• Ecological Biodiversity

Genetic Diversity

Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species. Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics are called species. Human beings genetically belong to the homo sapiens group and also differ in their characteristics such as height, colour, physical appearance, etc., considerably. This is due to genetic diversity. This genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding of population of species.

Species Diversity

This refers to the variety of species. It relates to the number of species in a defined area.
The diversity of species can be measured through its richness, abundance and types. Some areas are more rich in species than others. Areas rich in species diversity are called hotspots of diversity .

Ecosystem Diversity

The broad differences between ecosystem types and the diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute the ecosystem diversity.

Scope of Biodiversity

1. Biological diversity is the main resource on which human beings depend. The existence of human is intimately related with the wide variety of plant and animal species found around us.

2. Biodiversity provides the vast majority of foodstuffs. Many kinds of animals and plants are lived and grow in different climate and geographical conditions. These plants and animals supply lots of food products such as fruits, cereals, nuts, mushroom, honey, meat, mike etc.

3. It is estimated that 80% of people in the developing world depend directly on traditional medicines derived from plants and animals.

4. More than 1500 plants of Nepal have medicinal value.

5. Biological diversity exerts direct influences on regional and local weather patterns.

6. Plant purifies the air and regulates the composition of the atmosphere, recycling oxygen and filtering harmful particles release due to industrial activities.

7. Biodiversity provides various raw materials for textile, leather, tannis, dyes, furniture industries.

8. Biological diversity is the main sources on which human beings depend. The existence of human is intimately related with the wide variety of plant and animal species found around us.

Value of biodiversity

Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional and local levels. Biodiversity is essential for preserving ecological processes, such as fixing and recycling of nutrients, soil formation, circulation and cleansing of air and water, global life support, maintaining the water balance within ecosystems, watershed protection, maintaining stream and river flows throughout the year, erosion control and local flood reduction. Food, clothing, housing, energy, medicines are all resources that are directly or indirectly linked to the biological variety present in the biosphere.

Follow on Facebook

By Team Learning Mantras