The natural disaster prevention mechanisms in most ecosystems and other free services we all get from the surrounding environment are not easily replaceable or replicable, so maintaining biodiversity is important. Environmentalists might define biodiversity as the total of all plant and animal life of the planet, and the planet itself. Biodiversity is an assurance for life on our planet, and therefore must be protected at all costs, because it is a universal heritage that can offer immediate advantages to human beings. Chapter 15 biodiversity and conservation unsolved important. The measurement of biodiversity we do not know the exact number of all species on earth, but the estimated 22 number of species is 5 15 million species. The importance of small waterbodies for biodiversity and.
The first two correspond to the different levels at which biodiversity can be measured. Biodiversity refers to the variety of all forms of life on this planet, including various microorganisms, plants, animals, the ecosystem they form, and the genes they contain. Diversity is important to sustainability in 3 main ways. This science file includes a number of templates for the students to fill in answers to various biodiversity questions. This means that we are losing resources because of the strong effect that diversity has on productivity. Biodiversity of degraded forests can often be successfully restored if the factors that lead to forest degradation can be effectively controlled. To investigate the vital role conservation planning can play in connecting land use planning and biodiversity. Small waterbodies, including ponds and small lakes, loworder streams, ditches and springs, are the most numerous freshwater environments globally, are critical for freshwater biodiversity and are increasingly recognised for their role in ecosystem service delivery. The diversity of societies, cultures and languages that has developed throughout human history is intimately related to biodiversity and its use. Consensus statement three the impact of biodiversity on any single ecosystem process is nonlinear.
Bangladesh is situated between the indohimalayas and indochinese subregions with distinct physiographic characteristics, variations in hydrological and climatological conditions, and differences in the soil properties contribute in developing diverse forms of. Biodiversity has become more important to evaluate ecosystems magurran, 1988 although the role of speceis diversity in ecosystem functioning is disputed schulze and mooney, 1994. Health is therefore one of the most important indicators of sustainable development. Indoburma is one of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots, due to the rate of resource exploitation and habitat loss. It is the number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. By securing the lifesustaining goods and services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can. Environmentalists might define biodiversity as the total of all plant and animal life of the planet, and the planet itself the air, water and land that supports animal and plant life. A plethora of different approaches have been promoted by conservation organisations and researchers in order to guide decisions about where to invest. Consensus statement two there is mounting evidence that biodiversity increases the stability of ecosystem functions through time. There are systematic processes for evaluation solutions with respect to how well they meet the criteria and constraints of a problem. For example, the richness of diversity allows medicines and foods to be naturally available. Obviously all these important functions are fundamental for human survival.
Associate professor, kamala nehru college, university of delhi. Much has been published on the subject since its first appearance at the national forum on biodiversity in september, 1986, the proceedings of which became the bestseller, biodiversity. In 2002, the section responsible for biodiversity and conservation was elevated to a branch. Schools will have the opportunity to play a vital role in promoting and preserving biodiversity both locally and globally. The earth is populated by an incredible number of different living creatures. By securing the lifesustaining goods and services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can provide significant. Legal requirements for ecology and biodiversity 2 sites sites of international importance for nature conservation are protected under the habitats regulations 2010 special protection areas and special areas of.
Biodiversity designations represent the sites or regions that have been identified as important for biodiversity conservation due to their biological uniqueness or the high threat that they face. Its mandate was expanded to include dealing with the countrys rapid progress in creating new protected regions like transfrontier conservation areas, biosphere reserves, world heritage sites. The importance of insects in agricultural ecosystems. This can be achieved through improving or preserving your local biodiversity whether it is in your school garden, at home, a green space in the city, your local beach, a river way etc. Ecosystem services process and resources important to people e. It plays an integral role in supporting many sectors of development. It is important for you to make sure that the biodiversity action plan contains factual information that are accurate and updated. Each of these sectors depend on the wise management of natural resources and biodiversity to ensure their longterm contribution to the economy. Furthermore, the measure, management and protection of ecosystem biodiversity requires different and innovative approaches.
Different habitats, niches, species interactions the ecosystem biodiversity is defined as the variations in the plants and the animals founds in the different ecosystems. Introduction the term biodiversity encompasses variety of biological life at. Basic concepts and importance of biodiversity authorstream. They value biodiversity as a part of their livelihood as well as through cultural and religious sentiments. A healthy, properly functioning natural environment is a main tourism attraction and serves to heighten awareness of the intrinsic value of nature for us all. The importance of biodiversity was one of the key subjects of the 1992 world. The concept of biodiversity continues to evolve and more recently it has been included in the idea of ecosystem services in that it is a form of natural capital and thus underpins the functioning of ecosystems 10, 11. We at the center for biodiversity outcomes at arizona state university address this need for broad participation through our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and multistakeholder engagement, while drawing on a long history of conservation biology research at asu. Turner1 1 insect ecology group, university museum of zoology, cambridge, downing street, cambridge, united kingdom, 2 biological sciences, institute for life sciences, university of southampton, southampton, united. Besides these biodiversity is so important due to having consumptive use values, productive use values, social values, ethical values and aesthetic values. Biodiversity science education pdf file 40 pages by. Biodiversity itself is not generally considered an ecosystem service but rather supports environmental functions 11. However, the global level of diversity has fallen by 27% over the last 35 years. Biodiversity can be measured through the use of quantitativeindicators, although no single unified approach exists.
The role of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation. I am immensely grateful to jean fanfan, marielena gutti and valerie hickey, who carried out the research and analysis of the bank portfolio, and. Numerous forms of stability have been described, and there is no theoretical reason to believe that biodiversity should enhance all forms. The conservation of native biodiversity appears to be the theme of biodiversity conservation texts wilson and peter, 1988. Chapter 2 biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. Introduction to biodiversity center for biodiversity outcomes. Iii the role of forests in the preservation of biodiversity loo judy a. In contrast, the continuing loss of biodiversity on a. Small waters often represent the best remaining examples of intact freshwater habitats and are the most likely to remain. Biodiversity and forest management concepts to consider when developing a. Biodiversity within an area, biome, or planet is therefore considered at three levels including species diversity. Biologists estimate that species extinctions are currently 500 times the normal, or background, rate seen previously in earths history. The role of forests in the preservation of biodiversity.
Biodiversity sustains the bodies we live in, and affects the lives we lead, and the societies we form. Recognizing biodiversity is essential to preserve wildlife. Biodiversity conservation provides substantial benefits to meet immediate human needs, such as clean, consistent water flows, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. Research article scientific research on animal biodiversity is systematically biased towards vertebrates and temperate regions mark a. The biodiversity heritage library works collaboratively to make biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community. Role of biodiversity and ecosystems in economic growth and equity. Mining, fisheries, agriculture and tourism are the backbone of the namibian economy. Biodiversity science education pdf file 40 pages by geis19.
Apr 20, 2010 fact sheet april 2010 biodiversity conservation, the practice of protecting and preserving the wealth and variety of species, habitats, ecosystems, and genetic diversity on the planet, is important for our health, wealth, food, fuel, and services we depend on. Encyclopedia of life support systems eolss until recent centuries, in most parts of the globe, humans were simply one of many large forest species, but with a greater capacity for influencing biodiversity than other species had. In general term the biodiversity or biological diversity ia variation of species of all type of natural habitats with presence of certain species. An overview of plant biodiversity is provided in this chapter. The importance of biodiversity to human wellbeing and health has only gained greater. Our biodiversity is very important to the wellbeing of our. Biodiversity threats weston w sechrest,university of virginia, charlottesville, virginia, usa thomas m brooks, center for applied biodiversity science conservation international, washington dc, usa any direct or indirect human activity that threatens the planets biological diversity in the. The loss of even only one species often can provoke a decrease in the capacity of the system to remain preserved in. For this reason, we must realize the importance of biodiversity as an important resource. The concept also covers how this diversity changes from one location to another and over time. There are definitions for the students to complete. That is what makes our country one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world. Biological variety can be observed at three levels.
The ecological role of biodiversity in agroecosystems. Details of genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity are given. It includes organisms from earths vastly different ecosystems, including deserts, rainforests, coral reefs, grasslands, tundra, and polar ice caps. Production of oxygen, reducing carbon dioxide, maintaining the water cycle, protecting soil are important services.
Changes in biodiversity can influence human resources, such as food, energy, and medicines, as well as ecosystem services that human rely onfor example, water purification and recycling. It was prepared by claudia sobrevila, senior biodiversity specialist in the environment department of the world bank. Biotechnology, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. Biodiversity is important, more than just the i want my children to enjoy it reason. Exchanging experiences and success stories is important to keep momentum for these efforts. International journal of biodiversity and conservation full length research paper woody species diversity and important value indices in dense dry forests in abdoulaye wildlife reserve togo, west africa hodabalo pereki1, kperkouma wala1, thomas thielclemen2, michael p. This is a question and answer forum for students, teachers and general visitors for exchanging articles, answers and notes. The biodiversity advantage international fund for agricultural. Explain that the closer the biodiversity index is to 1, the more diverse the ecosystem is.
The concept of biodiversity has provoked considerable debate and misunderstanding among the general public, decisionmakers, and even the scientific community. It includes diversity within species, between species, and among ecosystems. However, this is not to say that such measures are mutually exclusive. Biodiversity is the variety of different forms of life on earth, including the different plants, animals, microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystem they form. Introduction to biodiversity center for biodiversity. In the context of conserving biodiversity, reid and miller. The current high rates will cause a precipitous decline in the biodiversity of the planet in the next century or two. When people think of conserving biodiversity, they often think of efforts to save animals such as the polar bear or the tiger. The loss of biodiversity is dangerous and its consequences are immediate. Conversely, others argued that an important component of biodiversity is maintained by traditional farming techniques. Besides, the biodiversity is important role that working on ecosystem. Human is actually relying on the biodiversity to survive because biodiversity provide useful and necessary resources such as food and raw material of medicine. There are,000 plants for example for which bees are essential to pollination, from melons to pumpkins. Ecology and biodiversity overview june 2016 1 p1527 1 hoc100150002.
Biodiversity is must for the stability and proper functioning of the biosphere. Woody species diversity and important value indices in. Biodiversity also underpins ecosystem function and the provision of ecosystem services. Biodiversity is intrinsically valuable and is important for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing. Ecological balance, constancy of climatic features and soil maintenance. Hotspots of biodiversity and their details have also been given. Biodiversity and conservation although india h as only 2. Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on earth. By securing the lifesustaining goods and services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can provide significant benefits to our health. The economic importance of biodiversity for humans can be summarized as follows. Knowing that the content of your biodiversity action plan is based on trustworthy resources can make the document more relevant.
The importance of biodiversity biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on earth. This document was prepared by biodiversity bc, a partnership of government and nongovernment organizations with a mandate to produce a biodiversity strategy for british columbia. Global state and trends figures for key elements of biodiversity important to food and agriculture. Many traditional societies have played an important role in preserving their biodiversity. When there is a shift in the balance of an ecosystem. Biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services 7 biodiversity at a suitable scale, e. Agricultural biodiversity the term used to describe the diversity of plants and animals used in food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries is a major part of the biological diversity that exists on earth.
The ecological role of biodiversity in agroecosystems miguel a. Many wild plant species could make important contributions to human food suppliers either. The world now acknowledges that the loss of biodiversity contributes to global climatic changes. The term that is used to define this crowd of organisms that populate every corner of the planet, and that have adapted even to the most extreme environments, is biodiversity or biological diversity. Introduction the term biodiversity encompasses variety of biological life at more than one scale. Global state and trends figures for key elements of. Species richness refers to the number of species present in an ecosystem. Tourism supporting biodiversity 5 foreword biodiversity and sustainable tourism are interlinked.
The importance of biodiversity has lack know by peoples. While protecting single species is important, it is equally important to protect ecosystems. Threats to biodiversity and methods of conservation are described. Biodiversity is the term used to encompass the variety of all living organisms on earth, including their genetic diversity. Altieri department of environmental science, policy and management, university of california, 201 wellman, berkeley, ca 94720, usa abstract increasingly research suggests that the level of internal regulation of function in agroecosystems is largely dependent on. Basic concepts and importance of biodiversity authorstream presentation. Biodiversity is the measure of the number, variety and variability of living organisms. Conservation of agricultural biodiversity, development and.
Only about 5% of natural habitats remain in relatively pristine condition, with another 10 to 25% of the land in damaged, but ecologically functional, condition. Biodiversity and its conservation are now vital environmental issues of international concern as more and more people around the world begin to realise the critical importance of biodiversity for our survival and well being on this planet. Maintaining ecosystem sustainability is the only way we can guarantee a continued supply of resources. Ecological concepts, principles and applications to conservation. Nearly 45,000 species of plants and twice as many of animals have been recorded from india. The importance of biodiversity and effects environmental.
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