Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other ecosystems.
What are the levels of biodiversity?
What is genetic diversity?
Genetic diversity refers to variations among the genes of the same species.
What is species diversity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is ecosystem diversity?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the productive values of biodiversity?
Signup and view all the answers
What ecological services does biodiversity provide?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some ethical values related to biodiversity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a biodiversity hotspot?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these are considered hot spots of biodiversity in India?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
What is Biodiversity
- Biodiversity combines "bio" (life) and "diversity" (variety).
- Encompasses variability among living organisms from terrestrial, marine, and other ecosystems.
- Officially recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
- India ranks 10th globally for plant diversity, 11th for endemic species of higher vertebrates, and 6th for centers of agricultural crop diversity.
Levels of Biodiversity
-
Genetic Diversity
- Variations within the genes of a specific species contribute to different varieties, such as rice, mangoes, and dogs.
-
Species Diversity
- Arises from variations among species in specific areas, exemplified by distinct species like horses and donkeys, or lions and tigers.
-
Ecosystem Diversity
- Refers to the variety of habitats and the different life forms they support, also encompassing ecosystems within political boundaries.
Values of Biodiversity
-
Productive Value
- Organisms provide various products: silk from silk-worms, wool from sheep, and lac from lac insects.
-
Ecological Services
- Ecosystems prevent soil erosion and floods, maintain soil fertility, cycle nutrients, fix nitrogen, and act as carbon sinks. They also reduce pollutants and mitigate global warming impacts.
-
Survival
- Wild plants provide food, while fossil fuels like coal and petroleum are derived from ancient biodiversity.
-
Health and Healing
- Approximately 75% of the global population relies on plants or plant extracts for medicinal purposes.
-
Ethical and Aesthetic Value
- Certain plants hold cultural significance, such as holy plants like Tulsi and Peepal. Awareness of a species' existence can bring joy, promoting eco-tourism that connects people with wilderness areas.
Hot Spots of Biodiversity
-
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with rich biodiversity under threat.
-
Identification criteria include species count, endemism (exclusive species of an ecosystem), and the level of human threat.
-
Hot Spots of India
- Western Ghats
- Eastern Himalayas
- Indo-Burma region
- Sundaland (including Nicobar Islands)
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the concept of biodiversity, which encompasses the variability among living organisms across different ecosystems. This quiz delves into the term's origins, highlights the Convention on Biological Diversity, and discusses India's significant role in global biodiversity. Test your knowledge on the richness of life on Earth.
