Meaning of Biodiversity
Biodiversity tells us about the variety and richness of living organisms found on the earth. Our earth is rich in biodiversity. It helps in measure the variation found in organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem level. Apart from endangered, threatened and rare species of organisms, it also includes small life forms such as viruses, bacteria.
Biodiversity includes many ecosystems like terrestrial, aquatic etc. It is an important part of our earth. Therefore conservation and protection of biodiversity is very important for life on earth.
Types of Biodiversity
Three three types of Biodiversity are:
1. Genetic Biodiversity
The diversity found at the genetic level in each species is called genetic diversity. They are genetically different from each other. Each human looks different from one other because of genetic diversity.
2. Species diversity
The variety of species found in a particular habitat is called species diversity. Two organisms of the same species are not completely similar. The total number of species present in a given habitat is called richness High richness means more species diversity. More species diversity means more stability.
3. Ecological diversity
The variety of species found in different ecosystems is called ecological diversity. There are many ecosystems found on earth like terrestrial, grassland, aquatic etc. A large amount of diversity is found in the organisms living in these ecosystems.
Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation of biodiversity includes protecting , managing and preserving genetic, species and ecological diversity of all organisms within their natural environment. To obtain sustainable benefits from biodiversity, it is necessary to conserve biodiversity.
Conservation of Biodiversity helps to maintain natural life cycle of all living organisms including plants and trees. There are two methods of conservation of biodiversity: In situ and ex situ conservation.
In Situ Conservation
Protecting and preserving the species in their natural habitat is called In-situ conservation. Various methods or examples of in situ conservation are natural parks, biosphere reserve, sacred groves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
1. Natural parks
Natural parks are natural habit or area managed and protected by government which are used for conservation of biodiversity. India's first natural park is Jim Corbett National park. It was previously named as Hailey National park. This natural park was established in 1936. Currently, there are 106 national parks in India.
2. Biosphere Reserve
Areas which are conserved and maintained by locals for protection of various species and their habitat. Local peoples are an integral part of the biosphere reserves. Various traditional practices are allowed in specific areas of Biosphere reserves. It is divided into three different area - Core area, buffer zone and transition zone.
Core Area: The area where human activities are not allowed is called core area.
Buffer Zone: The area which surrounds the core zone is called the buffer zone. In this area, only educational and research related activities are allowed. The outermost zone of biosphere is called transition zone.
Transition zone: Transition zone is an area of cooperation between reserve management and people which are local to area. Various activities are allowed in transition zone like recreation, forestry, settlement etc.
3. Wildlife sanctuaries
Wildlife sanctuaries are also used for protection of wildlife species and plants. Endangered species are given special attention in Wildlife sanctuaries. Researchers are allowed in Wildlife sanctuaries to learn about the animals living there.
4. Sacred grooves
Sacred grooves are areas of forest which are protected and managed by local tribal communities. These help to protect many threatened, epidemic and rare species living in that area. Local tribal protect these places for many reasons including cultural and religious beliefs such as local deities and tree spirits.
Hunting and cutting of trees is strictly prohibited in sacred grooves. Tribal communities protect these areas and prevent animal hunting and cutting of trees. Sacred grooves are found in many places , some of which are Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh , Meghalaya etc.
Ex Situ Conservation
Protecting and preserving the species outside their natural habitat is called ex situ conservation. In ex situ conservation, artificial environment is provided to various animals which is similar to their natural habitat. It is also called off - site conservation. habitats close to their natural environment. Various methods or examples of ex situ conservation are botanical gardens, aquariums, Zoological gardens, gene banks and cryopreservation.
1. Botanical gardens
Botanical gardens are the gardens which contain different varieties of plants species. Each plant is labelled with its scientific name. A botanical garden is meant for education, research, cultivation and preservation.
2. Aquariums
Aquariums are containers made up of glass in which various aquatic animals and plants are kept. In aquariums, aquatic animals are provided with artificial marine environment and requires high maintenance. Examples of aquarium are fish bowls and fish tanks.
3. Zoological gardens (Zoo)
A zoo or a Zoological gardens is a place where animals are kept in enclosures. It helps us to gain knowledge about different types of wild animals, their behavior, requirements and food habits. Proper food, medications and shelters are provided to the animals living in Zoological parks.
4. Seed Banks
Seeds are kept in seed banks to preserve their genetic material for future use. Seed Banks helps to prevent extinction of rare species of plants. In seed Banks, cold environment is provided to seeds with low humidity.
5. Cryopreservation
The Process in which cells, tissues, organs and other biological materials are preserved for a long time by keeping them at very low temperatures is called cryopreservation. It protects the material from bacterial diseases. Liquid nitrogen and dry ice is used in cryopreservation process.
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