Biodiversity Definition and Importance

Study Notes

Biodiversity refers to the variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem or on Earth as a whole.
It also includes the genetic diversity within each species, the variety of ecosystems, and the interactions between different species and their environment.
Biodiversity is important because it:
- Maintains ecosystem services (e.g., air and water purification, soil formation, and climate regulation)
- Provides goods (e.g., food, timber, and medicine)
- Supports human well-being and livelihoods

Genetic diversity: the variety of genes within a species or population
Species diversity: the number of different species present in an ecosystem or region
Ecosystem diversity: the variety of different ecosystems within a region or landscape

Habitat destruction and fragmentation: human activities that alter or destroy natural habitats
Overexploitation: overhunting, overfishing, and overharvesting of species
Climate change: changes in temperature and precipitation patterns that affect species distribution and survival
Invasive species: non-native species that outcompete native species for resources
Pollution: chemicals and waste that harm species and ecosystems

Areas with high levels of endemism (species found nowhere else) and threatened by human activities
Examples: rainforests (e.g., Amazon, Congo), coral reefs, and mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas, Andes)

Protected areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, and other protected areas
Sustainable land-use planning: balancing human needs with environmental protection
Species conservation: protecting specific species and their habitats
Ecological restoration: restoring degraded or damaged ecosystems

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species, genetic diversity, ecosystem variety, and interactions between species and their environment.
Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services, providing goods, and supporting human well-being and livelihoods.

Genetic diversity: variety of genes within a species or population.
Species diversity: number of different species present in an ecosystem or region.
Ecosystem diversity: variety of different ecosystems within a region or landscape.

Habitat destruction and fragmentation: human activities altering or destroying natural habitats.
Overexploitation: overhunting, overfishing, and overharvesting of species.
Climate change: changes in temperature and precipitation patterns affecting species distribution and survival.
Invasive species: non-native species outcompeting native species for resources.
Pollution: chemicals and waste harming species and ecosystems.

Areas with high levels of endemism and threatened by human activities.
Examples: rainforests (e.g., Amazon, Congo), coral reefs, and mountain ranges (e.g., Himalayas, Andes).

Protected areas: national parks, wildlife reserves, and other protected areas.
Sustainable land-use planning: balancing human needs with environmental protection.
Species conservation: protecting specific species and their habitats.
Ecological restoration: restoring degraded or damaged ecosystems.