Module - 4

Biodiversity
 Bio-Life
Diversity-Variety
 INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity is the biological variety and variability of life on Earth.

Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem
level. Terrestrial biodiversity is usually greater near the equator, which is the
result of the warm climate and high primary productivity. Biodiversity is not
distributed evenly on Earth, and is richer in the tropics.

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.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The ecosystem is a complex, interconnected network comprising biotic
and abiotic elements. Biotic elements include all living organisms such as
plants, animals and microorganisms. Abiotic components, on the other hand,
include non-living entities that are vital for the survival of life and these
include soil, water, climate, etc.
Among all biotic elements, Flora and Fauna are the most fascinating ones.
 Flora
The term flora in Latin means “Goddess of the Flower.” Flora is a collective
term for a group of plant life found in a particular region. The whole
plant kingdom is represented by this name.
Flora is classified and differentiated based on many factors. The best one
among them is the area in which they grow or are found. Some grow in desert
regions or in water, some are found in hilly areas while some are endemic to a
specific geographic location.
According to the place at which they grow, they have adaptations also. For
example, Cactus plants are naturally seen in deserts. They have adaptations like
modified leaves or prickles to preserve water and protect themselves from
predators.
The agricultural flora consists of plants cultivated by men for their use.
Horticulture is the practice of growing ornamental and decorative flowers, which
are also known as garden flora.
Fauna

Fauna represents the animal life indigenous to a region. Animal

kingdom comprises a variety of animal life forms. Hence, the classification of
fauna is much more complex than the floral division. Therefore, for ease of
classification
•Birds are categorized under the name Avifauna.
•Fishes under Pisci Fauna.
•Microorganisms including bacteria and virus are generally considered under
animal kingdom, they are known as Microfauna.
•All unknown and undiscovered animals are named as cryptofauna.
The earth is beautiful because of all these life forms. Other life forms
depend on them for various resources and exploit them.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY

There are the following three different types of biodiversity:

•Genetic Biodiversity
•Species Biodiversity
•Ecological 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.
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.
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.
Importance of Biodiversity has a number of functions on the Earth.

 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
 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.
 Social benefits: Recreation and tourism, cultural value and education and
research.
 The vital part of biodiversity is ‘crop diversity’, which is also known as
agrobiodiversity.
 This idea of biological resources is accountable for the deterioration of
biodiversity
LOSS OR THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY

The five major causes of loss in biodiversity are:

1. Climate change.
2. Deforestation and habitat loss.
3. Overexploitation
4. Invasive species
5. Pollution
 The loss of biodiversity and the related changes in the environment are
now faster than ever before in human history and there is no sign of this
process slowing down.
 Virtually all of Earth’s ecosystems have been dramatically distorted and
altered by human activities and continuously be converted for agricultural
and other uses. Many animal and plant populations have declined in
numbers and geographical spread.
 Loss of biodiversity is caused by a range of drivers. A driver is any natural
or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly causes a change in an
ecosystem.
 A direct driver unequivocally influences ecosystem processes. An indirect
driver operates more diffusely by altering one or more direct drivers.
Important direct drivers affecting biodiversity are habitat alteration, climate
change, invasive species overexploitation and pollution
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity conservation is about saving life on Earth in all its forms
and keeping natural ecosystems functioning and healthy.
This incorporates the preservation, maintenance, sustainable use,
recovery and enhancement of the components of biological diversity. Where -
Conservation is the sustainable use of resources and encompasses protection
as well as exploitation and Preservation - is an aspect of conservation meaning
to keep something without altering or changing it.
Sustainable development is another intricate aspect of biodiversity
conservation. This refers to development that meets the needs of the current
generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their needs. It simply refers to intra and intergenerational equity.
A balance between the environment, development and society results to
sustainable development which ensures biodiversity conservation. This is only
possible in the presence of proper enforcement and implementation policies/
conventions and environmental institutions .
WHY CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is the life support system of our planet- we depend on it for
the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Medicines
originating from wild species, including penicillin, aspirin, taxol, and quinine,
have saved millions of lives and alleviated tremendous sufferings.
Wetlands filter pollutants from water, trees and plants reduce global
warming by absorbing carbon. Bacteria and fungi break down organic
material and fertilize the soil. It has been observed that native species richness
is linked to the health of ecosystems, as is the quality of life for humans.
The connections between biodiversity and our sustainable future appear
closer and closer the more we look. We literally need to conserve biodiversity
as our lives depend on it.
ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the
living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In
other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and
their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an
English botanist, in 1935.
STRUCTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM

The structure of an ecosystem is characterized by the organization of both

biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in
our environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that
particular environment.
The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components,
namely:
•Biotic Components
•Abiotic Components
The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an
open system where the energy and components can flow throughout the
boundaries.
Biotic Components
Biotic components refer to all living components in an ecosystem. Based on
nutrition, biotic components can be categorized into autotrophs, heterotrophs
and saprotrophs (or decomposers).
•Producers include all autotrophs such as plants. They are called autotrophs
as they can produce food through the process of photosynthesis.
Consequently, all other organisms higher up on the food chain rely on
producers for food.
•Consumers or heterotrophs are organisms that depend on other organisms
for food. Consumers are further classified into primary consumers,
secondary consumers and tertiary consumers.
 • Primary consumers are always herbivores as they rely on producers for
food.
• Secondary consumers depend on primary consumers for energy. They
can either be carnivores or omnivores.
• Tertiary consumers are organisms that depend on secondary consumers
for food. Tertiary consumers can also be carnivores or omnivores.
• Quaternary consumers are present in some food chains. These
organisms prey on tertiary consumers for energy. Furthermore, they are
usually at the top of a food chain as they have no natural predators.

Decomposers include saprophytes such as fungi and bacteria. They directly

thrive on the dead and decaying organic matter. Decomposers are essential
for the ecosystem as they help in recycling nutrients to be reused by plants.
Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living component of an ecosystem. It
includes air, water, soil, minerals, sunlight, temperature, nutrients, wind,
altitude, turbidity, etc
FUNCTIONS OF ECOSYSTEM
The functions of the ecosystem are as follows:
1.It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems
and renders stability.
2.It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and
abiotic components.
3.It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the
ecosystem.
4.It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
5.The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic
components that involve the exchange of energy.
Functional components that work together in an ecosystem are:
• Productivity – It refers to the rate of biomass production.
• Energy flow – It is the sequential process through which energy flows
from one trophic level to another. The energy captured from the sun
flows from producers to consumers and then to decomposers and
finally back to the environment.
• Decomposition – It is the process of breakdown of dead organic
material. The top-soil is the major site for decomposition.
• Nutrient cycling – In an ecosystem nutrients are consumed and
recycled back in various forms for the utilisation by various
organisms.
TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big as an
ocean, spanning thousands of miles. There are two types of ecosystem:
• Terrestrial Ecosystem
• Aquatic Ecosystem
Terrestrial Ecosystem
Terrestrial ecosystems are exclusively land-based ecosystems. There are
different types of terrestrial ecosystems distributed around various geological
zones. They are as follows:
1.Forest Ecosystem
2.Grassland Ecosystem
3.Tundra Ecosystem
4.Desert Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem
A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, particularly trees, animals
and microorganisms that live in coordination with the abiotic factors of the
environment. Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the earth and are
the major carbon sink.
Grassland Ecosystem
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and
herbs. Temperate grasslands and tropical or savanna grasslands are examples of
grassland ecosystems.
Tundra Ecosystem
Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or
where rainfall is scarce. These are covered with snow for most of the year.
Tundra type of ecosystem is found in the Arctic or mountain tops.
Desert Ecosystem
Deserts are found throughout the world. These are regions with little
rainfall and scarce vegetation. The days are hot, and the nights are cold.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of water. These can be
further divided into two types, namely:
1.Freshwater Ecosystem
2.Marine Ecosystem
Freshwater Ecosystem
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes,
ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands. These have no salt content in contrast with
the marine ecosystem.
Marine Ecosystem
The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more
substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater
ecosystem.