AFNv12n03 pp02-03

Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
Item Type article
Download date 08/04/2024 13:53:41
Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/34701

BACKGROUNDER
Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
Biological diversity or biodiversity is gen isolated areas have low rates of gene flow and,
erally divided into three fundamental categories: as they adapt over time to their particular envi
genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosys ronment, they develop into distinct, localized
tem diversity. populations.
Behavioral traits can also influence the
Genetic diversity geographical distribution of genetic characteris
tics within a given species. For example, the
The genetic material of microorganisms, North American eel inhabits streams along 4000
plants and animals contains information that km of coastline, but migrates to the Sargasso
determines the characteristics of all species and Sea to reproduce as one massive population. As
individuals that make up the diversity of the living a result, individual eels inhabiting streams many
world. The number of possible combinations of miles apart do not demonstrate any geographic
genes and of the molecules making up genes is differentiation. However, other species such as
immense - much larger than the number of salmon, breed in different streams, but spend
individuals making up a species. most of their life at sea; these species develop
Genetic diversity refers to the differences marked genetic variations between populations.
in genetic make-up between distinct species and
to genetic variations within a single species. Species diversity
Individuals belonging to a species share, by
definition, certain characteristics, but genetic Species diversity is measured in relation
variation determines the particular characteris to a given area - from a small field to the entire
tics of individuals within the species. In simple planet. It can be assessed in terms of the
terms, genetic material dictates whether we have number of species or the range of different types
blue or brown eyes, blond or black hair, and are of species an area contains.
tall or short. It also determines whether an So far, 1.7 million species have been
individual animal or plant has the ability to sur described worldwide. Estimates of the total
vive in a particular habitat or under particular number of species on Earth range from 5 to 100
environmental conditions. Some plants, for million - 1 2 .5 million being a conservative work
example, are able to grow in saline water as a ing estimate. Although most of the Earth’s
result of genetic variation. species are insects and microorganisms, this is
Genetic variation occurs to varying deg not reflected in the types of species that have
rees in most species of plants and animals. been described to date. There has been a
There is high genetic variation in Indian rhinos, definite bias towards describing large organisms,
for example, but little among cheetahs. Further those that are considered attractive or appealing
more, the genetic make-up of an individual (such as flowering plants and butterflies), those
species is not static -- it changes as a result of most closely resembling humans (vertebrates,
both internal and external factors. especially mammals), and those that have a
This variety of genetic material within spe direct impact on human activities (such as pests).
cies has enabled distinct species to evolve Organisms that can be studied without complex
through natural selection. Broadly speaking, procedures or expensive equipment have also
species that inhabit large areas and interbreed taken precedence, as have those which are
throughout the whole area have a high rate of relatively easy to locate.
gene flow and show few or no localized char This, however, underestimates the impor
acteristics; however, species living in small or tance of microorganisms including algae, bacte-
2 A q u a Farm New s Vol. XII (No. 3) May-June 1994

ria, fungi, protozoa and viruses, which are vital fied into a number of ecosystems. Major habitat
to life on Earth. So far, less than 3-5 percent of types include tropical rain forests, grasslands,
microorganisms have been described. Yet the wetlands, coral reefs and mangroves. Measur
very existence of larger organisms depends ing changes in the extent of ecosystems is
upon the continued availability of the microor difficult, because there is no globally agreed
ganisms they require. Coral reefs, for example, classification of ecosystems, and boundaries
could not exist without algae. At the ecosystem are often variable and elusive. Species contained
level, the greatest biomass in soil is micro within a given ecosystem also vary over time.
organisms, especially fungi. These maintain soil Studies of ecosystem diversity are car
structure and composition through, for instance, ried out on different scales: from one ecosystem
the biodegradation and incorporation of dead to an entire region containing many different
plant and animal remains. Clearly, the loss of ecosystems. Regions containing a great variety
micro-organisms can lead to major changes in of ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, but indi
ecosystems. vidual ecosystems containing endemic species
Biologists are currently studying both also make a significant contribution to global
species-rich groups (such as insects) and spe biodiversity.
cies-rich areas (such as moist tropical forests) in Some of the world's richest habitats are
order to provide a more reliable picture of spe tropical moist forests. Although they cover only
cies richness patterns and a basis for estimating 7 percent of the world’s surface, these areas
the number of species on Earth. contain at least 50 percent, and possibly up to 90
percent of all plant and animal species. Isolated
Ecosystem diversity islands are often rich in endemic species.
The enormous range of terrestrial and

Reference: Global Biodiversity. 1993. United
aquatic environments on earth has been classi Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
Aqua Farm News Vol. XII (No. 3) M ay-June 1994 3

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Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity

Item Type article

Download date 08/04/2024 13:53:41

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/34701

Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity

2 A q u a Farm New s Vol. XII (No. 3) May-June 1994

The enormous range of terrestrial and

Aqua Farm News Vol. XII (No. 3) M ay-June 1994 3

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