Not surprisingly, given the abundance of sunlight and rainfall and varied topography, the highest levels of biodiversity on our planet are in our rainforests. Having a rich variety of ecosystems, what biologists call ecosystem diversity, constitutes another important level of biodiversity. An ecosystem will have a higher productivity rate and more robust ecological processes when more different life forms can thrive and survive. This can be done by recycling & storage of nutrients, controlling pollution, & stabilizing climate. Biodiversity is measured not only by the richness of an area in the number of diverse species living there, but it also considers the evenness of the species. Ecosystems provide ecosystem services that support human agriculture: pollination, nutrient cycling, pest control, and soil development and maintenance. Biodiversity is the variety of all living things: the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the different genetic information they contain, and the varied ecosystems they form. Materials of daily use and decoration are also manufactured from them. Biodiversity plays an important role in protecting the water resources. 17 December, 2019 0 Comments "Tourism and Importance of Biodiversity . Until that time, it had been widely believed that Amazonia was the richest ecosystem on earth. 2. Antibiotics, fungicides, anticancer drugs, blood-clotting agents and thinners, anesthetics, cardiac regulators and fever suppressants are among the drugs we have obtained from wild biodiversity [8]. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests. Biodiversity is defined as "the variety of life and it's processes," which can be thought of as the diverse and richness of life that exists on earth. And the soil may then travel to a place where these nutrients are absorbed and used, perhaps by plants which then exhale oxygen and enrich our air. increased lianas in tropical forest). An aesthetic appreciation of biodiversity itself has also been documented. Biodiversity also benefits the humans in numerous aspects. life on Earth. Genes are the bits of biochemical information that partly determine how an organism looks, behaves, and live… Biodiversity is the variety of all plants and animals (species of different flora, fauna and micro-organisms and their genes) and the ecosystem (terrestrial and aquatic) in which they live. The direct use of inland water biodiversity (e.g., for inland fisheries) provides food security for countless millions of the world’s poor. Biodiversity works in much the same way, with each organism and each ecosystem working together as part of one larger living system. Should a drought, pest or disease threaten one of these crops, the entire world’s food supply will diminish appreciably. Biodiversity and the ecosystem sustainability, Areas with the highest levels of biodiversity, 10 Endangered Plants with Medicinal Properties, nature contributes to the emotional well-being, The Importance of Indigenous Knowledge for the Modern World, medicines production of food, fiber for textiles and shelter, fuel and energy, the suppression of pests and human diseases. They also provide food, shade, construction material, medicines, and fiber for clothing and paper. High biodiversity in an ecosystem, that is a large variety of species and genes in the ecosystem contribute to a stronger ecosystem. All species, including human beings, are intricately linked by their interactions with each other and the environment… With less biodiversity, these connections weaken and sometimes break, harming all the species in the ecosystem… Biodiversity is important to people in many ways. If there are more types of plants, there can be more food with a variety of nutritional content, as well as a better selection of effective medicines. It includes al the ecosystems, whether it … Even if certain species are affected by pollution, climate change or human activities, the ecosystem as a whole may adapt and survive. More genetic defects are caused by inbreeding. It may have cattails that filter and clean the water. An entire rain forest may be examined for the adverse effects on human life of its deforestation. Introduction 1.1 Background Biodiversity is the term used to encompass the variety of all living organisms on Earth, including their genetic diversity, species diversity and the diversity of ecosystems. This includes the deep feeling of being interconnected with other species on earth. Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. To learn more about biodiversity, visit the Australian Museum website or read about it on Wikipedia. Most plants produce secondary plant compounds, which … Wilson, the noted biologist and author who coined the term “biodiversity,” explains it as “the very stuff of life.” For at least 3.8 billion years, a complex web of life has been evolving on Earth. Sustainability is the ability of the ecosystem to maintain its ecological processes, the composting of debris into soil, the exchange of carbon and air, the production of rainfall, photosynthesis, the life-giving processes required to maintain life as we know it on earth. Loss of biodiversity threatens these ecosystem services and risks making food production more expensive or impossible. | Greentumble Healthy and well-functioning freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems are important for a productive and healthy environment. Biodiversity is important in human-managed as well as natural ecosystems. Let us know if you liked this article. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. Diversity is important for species in order to maintain resilience against unexpected events, such as sudden climate changes or natural disasters, like forest fires or floods. That is the reason for parks in urban areas. Human life relies on our ecosystems providing the life-sustaining services of providing oxygen, detoxifying our soil and water, providing materials for clothing and shelter and providing our food and the nutrients we require. Such changes may affect ecosystem function and the ecosystem services they provide. The largest scale of biodiversity generally examined is ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity is a community of all the living organisms on the earth and the diversity among them from all the ecosystems. Importance of Biodiversity. The problem is that we don’t know what we are losing, especially when it comes to life in the rainforest, where so many species have adapted amazing defenses to predators, pests, infections and diseases over thousands of years, defenses that we humans might use in our fight against cancer and other serious diseases [10]. An excellent article. Read more about us. If a fire tears through a forest where only one species exists and is wiped out by the fire, the forest ecosystem is less likely to deal with this loss than if only one out of 20 species disappeared. Importance of Biodiversity There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. Plant-derived drugs are anticipated to account for 39.2 billion dollars in sales by 2022 and botanical drugs to $425 million by 2022 [7]. Nature also provides many opportunities for recreation from ziplining to canoeing. Ecosystems affect the biosphere, or life on earth. The more links in the food chain there are, like more fish for the bear, the healthier everyone up the chain can be. The list of services ecosystems perform for us is extensive and includes: While the medicinal value of plants is mentioned above as one of the services provided by an ecosystem, this service deserves specific attention. Another importance of biodiversity is the availability of necessary animal products like milk, meat, curd, ghee, etc. Biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem functions, which provide supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. And the more closer a species is related to another, the more genetic information the two species will share. For instance, the role of native insects in pollination, which is critical for agriculture, has been highlighted in recent years. Most cultures, at least at some time, have recognized the importance of conserving natural resources. Read about Biodiversity Conservation, the importance of Biodiversity, Loss of Biodiversity, and more. Coral reefs are important to the ecosystem because they are the pillars on which marine and coastal ecosystems are built. Ecosystem diversity looks at the number and variability of ecosystems in an area. It also provides services to entire ecosystems. Biodiversity is important for a few reasons. Biodiversity is variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. When species are examined for biodiversity, three elements are looked at: The greater the variety of species, the healthier the ecosystem is. Many of our most potent medicines are derived from plants [6]. Bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, bryophytes and the various plants, birds, insects, fish and humans are all the fundamental part of biodiversity. Many still do, but many do not. Ecosystem diversity is also used to refer to the number and variety of interactions in a certain area. Tourism and Importance of Biodiversity; Author GPTV. Describe the benefits to human health of maintaining biodiversity. The term biodiversity (from the phrase “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity is important for many reasons and they can be generally divided into two categories: the importance for ecosystems and for us. Changes in biodiversity can generally alter ecosystem functioning.Due to which there will be some changes in human life. A food web is a more complex arrangement where some of the species have a couple different food options. Importance of Biodiversity. Many salient points made. Ecosystems are made up of abiotic (non-living, environmental) and biotic components, and these basic components are important to nearly all types of ecosystems. Only a few major crops are feeding most of the world. Biodiversity is categorized into species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. If a lake has many different types of fish and other marine life like turtles and frogs and many different types of plants and insects, then there is a great biodiversity of genes and species all contributing to the sustainability of the ecosystem of the lake. Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: the ecosystem, with food production as an ecosystem service; the species in the ecosystem and the genetic diversity w… Seventy percent of the plants identified as having anti-cancer characteristics by the US National Cancer Institute are found only in the tropical rainforest [9]. Or a dominant species could be an invasive plant that will overtake the native plants in the competition for soil. There are multiple examples within any region of each category of insect, bacteria, herbivore, omnivore or carnivorous predator. Changes in the composition of ecosystems have also been observed (e.g. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. The Pacific Northwest represents a unique ecosystem. Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity , such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing. Based on tropical rainforests, we see why biodiversity is so crucial in maintaining an ecosystem. More formally, biodiversity is comprised of several levels, starting with genes, then individual species, then communities of creatures and finally entire ecosystems, such as forests or … They keep plants, fish, and animals fed. Preserving biodiversity at any level may not seem like a big deal -- at first. Bone, hair, skin, wool of animals and birds are the raw materials for several industries. Provide more medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs. Quick Navigation for The Importance of Biodiversity, [1] Wilson, Edward O., The Future of Life, A.A. Knopf, NY, NY 2002, p.3. biodiversity in nature plays a vital role in balancing natural ecosystems because each organism has a specific role to play. Decisions humans make that influence biodiversity affect the well-being of themselves and others. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. Ecosystems are all of the animals, plants, and micro-organisms as well as physical aspects of the area. If a population is minimized and must cross-pollinate or inbreed with the survivors, successive generations will have fewer different genes and it is most often the case that susceptibilities are magnified and reduced infertility occurs, so that smaller populations carry illnesses or crippling enough defects that they soon die out. High biodiversity in an ecosystem, that is a large variety of species and genes in the ecosystem contribute to a stronger ecosystem. Biodiversity is important in ecosystems because it prevents extinction of species, allows organisms to adapt to changes in the environment and provides a wide range of materials and foods for survival. With reduced diversity in the gene pool, the chance for extinction increases. Biodiversity is constantly playing a vital role in the existence and sustainability of ecosystems. Loss of biodiversity may have reverberating consequences on ecosystems because of the complex interrelations among species. We often concentrate on biological part like forest, animal, microbes etc. Loss of biodiversity eventually threatens other species we do not impact directly because of their interconnectedness; as species disappear from an ecosystem other species are threatened by the changes in available resources. Biodiversity loss also means that we are losing, before discovery, many of nature's chemicals and genes, of the kind that have already provided humankind with enormous health benefits. Diversity is essential to the smooth running of any ecosystem. Biodiversity is important for maintaining an important balance of the ecosystem. One of the most important reasons we should continue to work on preserving … Conversely, genetic diversity is significant in helping a species adapt to changes in its environment. The Sustainable Development Goal 15 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is devoted to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.. At the Rio+20 Conference, Member States reaffirmed, through paragraphs 197- 204 of the … Ecological diversity within an ecosystem is more diverse when it contains varied topography, allowing more places for shelter and for escape, a lot of sunlight and rainfall, allowing for more rapid growth of plants as a food source and stable temperatures, making adaptation easier for species. An analysis on the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem as shown by the gray wolf extirpation and reintroduction in Yellowstone Park The extirpation of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone Pak is a prime example of the impact of biodiversity loss, specifically a keystone species, on a terrestrial ecosystem. In essence, any reduction of the diversity of life, whether by human hands or by natural causes, weakens the links that exist among species and habitats. An analysis on the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem as shown by the gray wolf extirpation and reintroduction in Yellowstone Park The extirpation of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) in Yellowstone Pak is a prime example of the impact of biodiversity loss, specifically a keystone species, on a terrestrial ecosystem. The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life. The damage already done to these unique and essential biomes could be a sign of a … This means we value biodiversity both for what it provides to humans, and for the value it has in its own right. Concerned about the rapidly increasing loss of genetic diversity the UN Food and Agricultural Organization supports a trust of diverse seed collections around the world to maintain food security. Why is diversity important in an ecosystem? For example, our ecosystem services such as pollution breakdown and absorption and protection of water resources. One overriding importance is that biodiversity is responsible for the continuity of the planet because it supports majority of the vital environmental life cycles such as the oxygen cycle, the water cycle, and the nitrogen cycle just to mention a few. Biodiversity is also key for the continued provision of ecosystems services it provides, which serve both humans and the systems themselves, although the term is largely used in relation to the benefits reaped by us. All species, including humans, are adversely affected by the loss of species diversity. This can be done by recycling & storage of nutrients, controlling pollution, & stabilizing climate. Ø This value is related primarily with functions of ecosystem. The closest relations of an organism are members of its own species. The Pacific Northwest represents a unique ecosystem. Based on tropical rainforests, we see why biodiversity is so crucial in maintaining an ecosystem. These services are essential for human welfare. Biodiversity role in Ecosystem related functions: It also plays an important role in ecosystem-related functions, which provide ancillary, regulation, and cultural services.These services are essential for human welfare. Ninety percent of the world’s food supply is from only 100 crops and three: rice, maize and wheat account for almost 70 percent of the calories people derive from plants [13]. Changes in biodiversity can … Likewise, it is well-documented that nature contributes to the emotional well-being of humans [11]. Biodiversity changes affect ecosystem functioning and significant disruptions of ecosystems can result in life sustaining ecosystem goods and services. When there is a large population from which to reproduce, there can be more combinations of genes in the offspring. Its aquatic life may contribute to the quality of the soil by aerating it and enriching it with its waste and carcasses. A healthy ecosystem stems from rich biodiversity. The services that humans derive from ecosystems include food, fuel, clothing, structural materials, medicines and genetic resources. Medical Discoveries. For example, A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; Greater … The Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on Earth. Biodiversity can occur in a very small particular area or in a very large area like the ocean. At the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg 2002, biological diversity was addressed in Chapter IV, paragraph 44, of the outcome of the Summit, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. We value biodiversity for many reasons, some utilitarian, some intrinsic. Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. For example, an ecosystem being studied may be as small as a patch of lichen on a rock or patch of moss on a tree trunk or it could be an entire coral reef and all of the life that it sustains and that sustain it [16]. 3. The variation in ecosystems within a geographical location and its impact on human existence and the environment is ecosystem diversity. California has prairies, deserts, lakes, forests and beach. Biodiversity is what allows ecosystems to work and flourish. Biodiversity is the key indicator of the health of an ecosystem. Biodiversity has direct economic benefits. In either event, the unevenness will cause a domino effect of instability on all of the species in the ecosystem [20]. Biodiversity underpins a range of ecosystem services. Provide for nutrient storage and recycling. We found that dominance is potentially more important than species traits in determining species functionality; because of the strong effect of dominance in secondary forests, only a small subset of the dominant species matters for different functions. Before getting into Tourism and Biodiversity, it is crucial to know what is tourism and Bio-diversity. It is the number of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Crops livestock, fishery, and forests are a rich source of food. Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change. The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive. Nutritional impact of biodiversity. Ecosystem diversity level: Ecosystem consists of all the animals, microorganisms, plants as well as the physical aspects of the area. Download the Biodiversity notes PDF for IAS Exam. The Importance Of Biodiversity 1058 Words | 5 Pages Biodiversity is a balance critical to the ecosystem. The Gulf Coast of Florida is another unique ecosystem with different characteristics. The term biodiversity (from the phrase “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. > Biodiversity role in Ecosystem related functions- It also plays an important role in ecosystem-related functions, which provide ancillary, regulation, and cultural services. Estimates of the number of species range from 3.6 million to over 100 million species. Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services to which human well-being is intimately linked. Over millions of years many different species of plants and animals have come to live in the same habitats. Members of a species share genes. Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on Earth. Some economic and social arguments further illustrate the importance of biodiversity: Living organisms on the earth are complex, dynamic, and varies according to the earthly or the marine ecosystems. The Census of Marine Life puts the number at 8.7 million, give or take [2]. Human beings benefit in many ways from biodiversity. Importance of Biodiversity. Given the interconnected nature of ecosystems, where a change in one area can have far reaching effects elsewhere, it is therefore vital to maintain as great a variety of species as possible in order to ensure the continued healthy existence of the planet. A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can withstand environmental stress. Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms and their interactions with each other, i.e. Utilitarian values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. These species will also look more similar. Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to play. The more links that exist in the web the more stable the ecosystem as the removal of one link will not have a dramatic effect if there are other links that can fill the void. A study of ecosystem diversity looks at these different ecosystems within the region and considers their sustainability, their impact on the surrounding environment and possibly even their impact on human existence. Biodiversity is important for maintaining an important balance of the ecosystem. When species reproduce, the genes of each mate contribute to the characteristics of the progeny. And yet it is so complex that most of the species within it, close to 90 percent [1], remain undiscovered. Most of these ecosystem services cannot be replaced by human technology, at any cost. There are numerous reasons deeming biodiversity significant. Healthy marine ecosystems are important for society since they provide services including food security, feed for livestock , raw materials for medicines, building materials from coral rock and sand, and natural defenses against hazards such as coastal erosion and inundation. All species on Earth are somewhat related through genetic connections. Biodiversity is the extraordinary variety of life on Earth—from genes and species to ecosystems and the valuable functions they perform. Having a rich variety of ecosystems, what biologists call ecosystem diversity, constitutes another important level of biodiversity. Energy is continually input into an ecosystem in the form of light energy, and some energy is lost with each transfer to a higher … We are working hard to improve our content. Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals. A wide variety of species will cope better with threats than a limited number of them in large populations. The loss of an entire ecosystem can be socially disassembling. This is because species in an ecosystem depend upon each other for food, keeping birth and death rates in a balance that is sustainable for the ecosystem. Accordingly, no two members of the same species are exactly alike. Other benefits of biodiversity include cultural, spiritual and recreational values. Have reverberating consequences on ecosystems because of the complex interrelations among species, species, including humans, and! And animals fed [ 6 ] of life-saving plant-derived drugs just before the of... 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