Biodiversity Definition
“Biodiversity is the variation among living organisms from different sources
including terrestrial, marine and desert ecosystems, and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part.”
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity describes the richness and variety of life on earth. It is the most complex
and important feature of our planet. Without biodiversity, life would not sustain.
The term biodiversity was coined in 1985. It is important in natural as well as artificial
ecosystems. It deals with nature’s variety, the biosphere. It refers to variabilities among
plants, animals and microorganism species.
Biodiversity includes the number of different organisms and their relative frequencies in
an ecosystem. It also reflects the organization of organisms at different levels.
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.
Also Read: Flagship Species
Types of Biodiversity
There are the following three different types of biodiversity:
Genetic Biodiversity
Species Biodiversity
Ecological Biodiversity
Types of Biodiversity
Species diversity
Species diversity refers to the variety of different types of species found in a particular
area. It is the biodiversity at the most basic level. It includes all the species ranging from
plants to different microorganisms.
No two individuals of the same species are exactly similar. For example, humans show
a lot of diversity among themselves.
Genetic diversity
It refers to the variations among the genetic resources of the organisms. Every
individual of a particular species differs from each other in their genetic constitution.
That is why every human looks different from each other. Similarly, there are different
varieties in the same species of rice, wheat, maize, barley, etc.
Ecological diversity
An ecosystem is a collection of living and non-living organisms and their interaction with
each other. Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations in the plant and animal
species living together and connected by food chains and food webs.
It is the diversity observed among the different ecosystems in a region. Diversity in
different ecosystems like deserts, rainforests, mangroves, etc., include ecological
diversity.
Also Read: Biodiversity in Plants and Animals
Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity and its maintenance are very important for sustaining life on earth. A few of
the reasons explaining the importance of biodiversity are:
Ecological Stability
Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem. They capture and store energy and
also produce and decompose organic matter. The ecosystem supports the services
without which humans cannot survive. A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can
withstand environmental stress.
Economic Importance
Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products
and pharmaceuticals.
Crops livestock, fishery, and forests are a rich sources of food.
Wild plants such as Cinchona and Foxglove plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Wood, fibres, perfumes, lubricants, rubber, resins, poison and cork are all derived from
different plant species.
The national parks and sanctuaries are a source of tourism. They are a source of
beauty and joy for many people.
Ethical Importance
All species have a right to exist. Humans should not cause their voluntary extinction.
Biodiversity preserves different cultures and spiritual heritage. Therefore, it is very
important to conserve biodiversity.
Biodiversity in India
India is one of the most diverse nations in the world. It ranks ninth in terms of plant
species richness. Two of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots are found in India. It is the
origin of important crop species such as pigeon pea, eggplant, cucumber, cotton and
sesame. India is also a centre of various domesticated species such as millets, cereals,
legumes, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic crops, etc.
India is equally diverse in its faunal wealth. There are about 91000 animal species
found here.
However, diversity is depleting at a drastic rate and various programmes on biodiversity
conservation are being launched to conserve nature.
Also read: Ecology
To know more about what is biodiversity, its definition, types and importance of
biodiversity, keep visiting BYJU’S or download the BYJU’S app for further reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variation among living organisms from different sources including terrestrial,
marine and desert ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are a part.
Q2
What are the different types of biodiversity?
The three types of biodiversity are:
Species Diversity
Genetic Diversity
Ecological Diversity
Q3
What is ecological diversity?
Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations in the plant and animal species living together and
connected by food chains and food webs.
Q4
What is the role of biodiversity in maintaining environmental balance?
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all has an
important role to play. For example, A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of
crops. Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.
Q5
What is the importance of biodiversity?
Importance of Biodiversity: Biodiversity has a number of functions on the Earth. These are as
follows:
1. Maintaining the balance of the ecosystem: Recycling and storage of nutrients, combating
pollution, stabilizing climate, protecting water resources, forming and protecting soil and
maintaining eco-balance
2. Provision of biological resources: Provision of medicines and pharmaceuticals, food for the
human population and animals, ornamental plants, wood products, breeding stock and
diversity of species, ecosystems and genes.
3. Social benefits: Recreation and tourism, cultural value and education and research.
