What is Biodiversity?

 What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity means biological diversity and refers to the variety of plants and animals’ life found on Earth. It includes the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Biodiversity is essential for maintaining the balance of nature, providing food, medicine, raw materials and ecological services such as pollination, soil fertility and climate regulation.

Definition of Biodiversity

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992): Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes diversity within species, between species and ecosystems. The flow chart is shown as follows.

Types of Biodiversity

  1. Genetic Diversity   Refers to the variety of genes within a species. 

Example: Different varieties of rice or wheat or the genetic variation among humans (eye color, height, etc.). Importance: Ensures adaptability to changing environments, resistance to diseases and survival of species.

  1. Species Diversity Refers to the variety of species within a region or ecosystem. Example: Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Amazon rainforest hosts millions of plant, animal and insect species. Importance: Greater species diversity means a more stable and resilient ecosystem.

  2. Ecosystem Diversity Refers to the variety of ecosystems in a geographical location. Example: Forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, coral reefs and tundra. Importance: Each ecosystem provides unique services like water purification, carbon storage and habitat for species. Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai and Sunderban wetland in West Bengal. 

Biodiversity means the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels and it is vital for ecological balance and human survival.
Location: India

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