Biodiversity Overview and Concepts

Biodiversity Overview

• Biodiversity is the variety of life in all ecosystems.
• It arises from billions of years of evolution.
• Evolution is the process of living organisms changing over time due to changes in their genetic material (DNA).

Biodiversity - Definition

• Biodiversity encompasses the variety of living things in ecosystems.
• Variety relates to the multitude of living organisms present, signifying high diversity.

Biodiversity Components

• Species Diversity: Wide variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Includes the total number of species within each group (e.g., kingdoms like prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants, and animals).
• Genetic Diversity: Genetic differences within species. DNA defines the unique traits of individuals within a species.
• Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of habitats, the beneficial services they provide and the processes that support the ecosystem.

Species Concept

• Biology: A species is a group of individuals that can breed together.
• Phylogeny: Species are groups of individuals with the same or similar DNA composition.
• Morphology: Species consist of individuals with similar physical structures.
• Differences in one or more of these biological factors can lead to the formation of new species.

Speciation

• Causes of new species:
  • Geographic Isolation: Continuous populations are divided into smaller groups that cannot interbreed. Differences in DNA over time arise due to this separation.
  • Reduction of Gene Flow: New species can emerge through natural selection and sexual selection even without geographic separation.

Speciation - Types

• Allopatric Speciation: Geographic isolation leads to the formation of new species. A physical barrier separates a population and over time they diverge.
• Sympatric Speciation: New species form within the same geographic region. Variations in DNA create differences among individuals that can lead to new species over time.

Specific Examples

• Vanilla of Terengganu: Visual presentation shows multiple varieties of the Vanilla orchid.
• Orchid Species: Examples are provided of various Spathoglottis species, in the section on genetic diversity. The visual material shows varied flower colors and features emphasizing diversity within groups.

Genetic Diversity

• Spathoglottis species are presented visually, showcasing morphological diversity among the orchids. This illustrates the concept of genetic diversity.
• Research provides examples of Spathoglottis samples from various regions emphasizing variations.

Ecosystem Diversity

• Forests: Described are forest types categorized based on elevation and vegetation. These include:

  • Montane-Ericaceous
  • Montane-Oak
  • Upper Dipterocarp
  • Hill Dipterocarp
  • Lowland Dipterocarp
  • Peat Swamp
  • Mangrove
  • Limestone Forest

• Wetlands: Defining wetlands and providing examples of wetlands in Malaysia, with specific site names (Tasek Bera, Pahang, etc.).

Mangrove Forests

• Mangroves are woody plants that live in marine and brackish environments.
• They are found in the tidal zone.

Peat Swamp Forests

• Peat swamp forests are waterlogged forests where the water is acidic.
• They are characterized by thick layers of dead plant material.

Forest of Malaysia

• Facts and statistics on the forests in Malaysia.
• Malaysia has a high percentage of land area covered by forests.
• There are various types of forests found in Malaysia, each located at different altitudes (ranges from below sea level to high mountain ecosystems).

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of biodiversity, including its definition, components such as species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity. It delves into the importance of these elements within ecosystems and their role in evolution. Test your knowledge on the variety of life and its significance!