What is biodiversity?

What is  biodiversity? 

Biodiversity is the pillar that allows ecosystems to function and humans to thrive. Without biodiversity in an ecosystem. Biodiversity is the “biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.”There are many types of plants and animals in nature that have evolved and expanded according to the ecological system and their life cycle goes on gradually as long as the environment is friendly.

The term biodiversity is used by Wilson, the first American entomologist, since 1986. 

Some scholars have defined biodiversity in many ways.

1. Biodiversity is a group consisting of a wild, animal and species imaginative in beauty and utility in its form and function.
2. Biodiversity is the organization of castes and groups and ecosystems that make up bio.
3. Biodiversity is a part of nature in which tribes are genetic.Genetic variation and validity of many fauna at different levels included- Bharucha

   

 The genetic variation found in the species is known as genetic diversity. This genetic            diversity is the result of different types of adaptation to different habitats of organisms.
The variation found in the species is known as species diversity. For the proper functioning of any particular community or ecosystem, it is necessary to have ethnic diversity. Ecological diversity is the variation in ecosystems found on Earth in which the species resides. Ecological diversity is reflected in diverse bio-geographical regions such as lakes, deserts, estuaries etc.

Importance of biodiversity:

Importance of Biodiversity - Biodiversity has an important place in human life. Human life on Earth is impossible without biodiversity. Following are the various benefits of biodiversity.

Biodiversity caters to the needs of food, textiles, wood, fuel and fodder. Variety of crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum), paddy (Oryza sativa), barley (Hardium vulgare), maize (Jia mage), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare), millet (Penisitum typhydis), ragi (Illusin corkena), arhar (cajanus) Cajan), gram (Cicer ariantinum), lentils (Lens culinaris) etc. cater to our food requirements while crops like cotton (Gaspium harsutum) cater to our clothing requirements.

Species of trees such as teakona (Tectona grandis), sal (Shorea robusta), rosewood (Delvergia sisu) etc. cater to the wood requirements for construction works. Our fuel related species of Acacia (Acacia nilotica), Shirish (Albizia libec), White Shirish (Albizia procera), Berries (Cygium cuminaceae), Khejri (Prosopis cinerea), Haldu (Heldina cardifolia), Karanja (Pangemia pinnetta) etc. Requirements are met while Shirish (Albizia libec), Ghamar (Melina arborea), Drumstick (Moringa alifera), Mulberry (Morus alba), Plum (Jigiphus jujuba), Babool (Acacia nilotica), Karanja (Pangemia pinnetta), Neem ( Ezadiracta indica, etc., fodder requirements for animals are met by species of trees.

Biodiversity helps in the disposal of environmental pollution. Dissolution and absorption of pollutants are characteristic of some plants. A plant called evergreen (Catharanthus rosius) has the ability to decompose deadly explosives such as trinitrotaluin. Various species of micro-organisms are helpful in cleaning up toxic waste materials. Pseudomonas putida and Arthrobacter viscosa of micro-organisms have the ability to remove various types of heavy metals from industrial waste. Some species of plants have the ability to absorb and store soil-rich metals such as copper, cadmium, mercury, chromium. These plants can be used in the disposal of heavy metals. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) has the ability to absorb chromium and cadmium from the soil. Aquatic plants such as hyacinth (Icarnia caspies), lamna, salvinia and azolla are used for the disposal of heavy metals (copper, cadmium, iron and mercury) in water.

. Biodiversity also has various social benefits. Nature is the best laboratory for study. Development of research, education and extension work is possible only with the help of nature and its biodiversity. There is a lot of evidence to prove that human culture and environment have developed simultaneously. Therefore, biodiversity is very important for cultural identity.

Biodiversity degradation - The depletion of biological resources on Earth is known as Biodiversity degradation. The biological wealth of the earth is the result of biodiversity development of about 400 million years. The constant loss of this biological wealth has posed a serious threat to the existence of man. Biodiversity degradation is a matter of concern in developing countries of the world. The countries of Asia, Central America, South America and Africa are rich in biodiversity where species of plants and animals are found. The irony is that illiteracy, poverty, lack of scientific development, population explosion etc. are the reasons which are responsible for the biodiversity degradation in these countries. How many species are there in the world is beyond known but according to an estimate, their number is between 3 million and 10 million. 14,35,662 species have been identified in the world. However, many species are yet to be identified. The main species identified are 7,51,000 species of insects, 2,48,000 plants, 2,81,000 animals, 68,000 fungi 26,000 algae, 4,800 bacteria and 1,000 viruses. About 27,000 species are going extinct every year due to the degradation of ecosystems. Most of these are tropical small creatures. If the current rate of biodiversity degradation is maintained, then one-fourth of the world's species will cease to exist by 2050.

what is degradation?

 Environmental degradation i depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. 

Crop Number- Earlier, a large number of plants were used for various purposes, but gradually the number of these plants declined. For example, of the 3,000 food plant species, only 150 were commercialized. Agriculture is dominated by 12 species of which 4 crop species produce 50 percent of the total yield. (Paddy, Wheat Maize and Potato).

Types of crops - Today, there is a trend to include more and more good qualities in a single type of crop. As the new type of crop develops, it is used extensively as a result, the use of local indigenous varieties ceases, causing the local species to become extinct. Genetic degradation is a matter of grave concern as it will affect the crop improvement program in future. Local and traditional species of crops have useful properties that can be used in the development of existing species of crops. Therefore, maintaining diversity of crops is very important. Genetic degradation is a matter of grave concern as it will have a direct impact on crop breeding program. Traditional varieties of crops and their wild species have many useful jeans that can be used to improve the existing varieties of crops.

Causes of Biodiversity Erosion - There are various causes of biodiversity degradation including habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, environmental pollution, invasion of plants of foreign origin, over-exploitation, wildlife hunting, deforestation, over-grazing, Use of species for disease, zoo and research, control of pests and predators, entry of competitive or predatory species is the main-

Environmental pollution - Increasing environmental pollution is becoming a major cause of biodiversity degradation. Pesticides, industrial chemicals and waste etc. are mainly responsible for environmental pollution. The microbial flora and fauna of the soil die as a result of pesticide pollution. Apart from this, when the pesticides reach the water bodies due to the flow of rain, microorganisms kill vegetation and animals there too. As a result there is a loss of biodiversity. Pesticides D.D.T. (Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane) is a major cause of the declining population of birds. DDT Through the food chain, birds reach the body where it affects the activity of a hormone called istrogen, which weakens the egg shell, resulting in premature ejaculation that leads to the death of the fetus. Acidification of rivers and lakes is becoming a major threat to aquatic organisms due to acid rain.

Hunting - Animals are usually hunted for teeth, horns, skins, oysters, etc. Due to indiscriminate hunting, many species of animals have reached the category of endangered animals. The state of Assam has recorded an unprecedented decline in the population of one horned rhinoceros as it is used for its horn which is used in the manufacture of aphrodisiac drugs. Similarly, in northeastern states, especially Manipur, an animal named Chiru is hunted for its skin, which produces shahatu shawl. Tiger, Tendua, Chinkara, Python, Krishna deer and crocodile are also hunted for the skin. Elephants are hunted for teeth while reindeer are hunted for horns. The musk deer is hunted for musk.

Use of species for zoo and research- For medical research, scientific research and zoo, catching some specific animals from natural habitat is dangerous for the species because it is likely to cause their population to decline, which makes these animals on the verge of extinction. Can reach. Medical research is an important activity but it is dangerous for threatened wild primates such as guerrillas, chimpanzees and orangutans.

Conservation of Biodiversity - Biodiversity conservation refers to the management of biological resources so that their widespread use as well as their quality remains. Since biodiversity is the pillar of the development of human civilization, its conservation is very important. Biodiversity plays an important role in environmental protection along with meeting the requirements of our food, textiles, medicinal, fuel etc. Biodiversity helps in maintaining ecological balance. In addition, it provides relief from natural disasters like flood, drought etc. In fact, biodiversity is a natural property of nature and its decay is in a way a loss of nature. Therefore, to save nature from destruction, providing protection to biodiversity is the biggest need of the time.

There is a need to implement a time-bound program to save the species of flora and fauna and their habitat so that biodiversity conservation can be promoted. Therefore, the action plan of conservation must necessarily be in the following direction-

• To protect the species from human pressure by growing it elsewhere.

   Rehabilitation of Adivasis displaced by becoming protected areas.
• Characterization of endangered species with modern techniques of biotechnology and tissue culture.
• Discourage planting of a single species over a wide area.
• Control over exploitation under species trade contract.

   Sustainable use of genetic resources and protection by appropriate legislation.
• Prohibition of entry of plants of foreign origin without detailed investigation.
• Promotion of traditional knowledge and skills that help in conservation.
• Preservation of biodiversity through protected area nets like National Park, Biosphere Reserve, Sanctuary, Gene Fund etc
• Resurrection of degraded habitat to natural state.
• To list the biological resources found in various areas of the country including islands.

Impact of human activities on other species

Many scientists think that the world is in the middle of the sixth major mass extinction of organisms, which is completely human.

According to the Living Planet Report, 2018, by 1970 human activities have destroyed 60% of the Earth's mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. Nearly half of the shallow water corals have been destroyed in the last 30 years.

Currently, illegal trade or hunting and selling of millions of foreign and wild birds and wildlife, despite many laws.

Birds help eliminate waste and hazardous residues and reduce the spread of disease to humans and other organisms.

Conclusion

People have to make changes in clean technologies to protect nature. Therefore, to save nature, all countries need to come on one platform for a global deal.