What is Biodiversity? – Definition, Types, Importance

As you know, different types of ecosystems and habitats across the world are rich with multiple types of organisms like plants, animals, etc. And the Biodiversity of flora and fauna is essential for the survival of the ecosystem, and thus it is important for the students to have a good understanding of the definition of biodiversity, conservation of biodiversity, etc. So here in the article below, we will help you understand what Biodiversity is. And its values.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of living organisms, in various types of ecosystems such as terrestrial, desert, marine, etc, And the basic function of biodiversity is to explain the richness and variety in an ecosystem.  

Types of Biodiversity

There are different types of Biodiversity in an ecosystem, each having its own significance and function, such as,  

• Genetic Biodiversity – All organisms from the same background or category have various genetic differences from each other. For instance, humans from various different regions or over generations from the same family, have multiple differences in terms of looks, etc.
• Ecological Biodiversity – In an ecosystem, all living and non-living organisms have different types of interactions with each other, either directly or indirectly. This relationship between organisms is defined as Ecological Biodiversity.
• Species Biodiversity – As the name itself suggests, species biodiversity is stated as the number of variety of species that are surviving in a particular area or region. For example, different types of ants living in forests, etc.

Importance of Biodiversity

From the above descriptions, you already know Biodiversity plays a vital role in an ecosystem, and here we will help you find out various benefits of biodiversity.

Ethical Importance

People believe that every species has the right to exist here on our earth, and no single creature should lead to the extinction of another species or creature. In biodiversity, the existence of multiple species in tandem with each other is important for the survival of the ecosystem.

Ecological Stability

Scientists have discovered through multiple experiments that each species in an ecosystem has a special purpose or role. And due to a species intervention, another species goes extinct, and then the stability of the said ecosystem is directly affected.

Economic Significance

Most of the important products are sourced directly from various flora and fauna in an ecosystem. Thus, if one of the organisms is endangered, the products sourced from them also get affected. For instance, we source various types of items like food, fiber, cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals, and many more.

Functions of Biodiversity

In talking about functions of biodiversity, we try to focus on the importance and cruciality of biodiversity that is critical in the wellbeing of the earth and the species living on it.

Biodiversity plays one of the most vital functions of proper and ideal maintenance of ecosystem balance on the earth. These include aspects such as controlling and regulating pollution, environmental degradation, recycling and storage of nutrients, stabilizing climate, protecting and preserving water resources, maintaining air quality, increasing afforestation, creating and driving more sustainable and organic aspects of living, and protecting soil and maintaining eco-balance

Gift to the living beings, natural and biological resources: The major function of biodiversity, rather the bounty out of proper maintaining of biodiversity is that we can our food, medicines, drugs, wood products, life stock, marine food, and a lot of other things.

There are social and community benefits too where biodiversity destinations encourage responsible tourism and also drive local employment and boost to local economy, besides boosting cultural aspects of communities, fostering new education and research.

Conclusion

In order to understand various topics or chapters in the biology subject, it is important to have a good understanding of the basic topics such as the value of biodiversity, loss of biodiversity, and conversation of biodiversity. And in a subject that includes a vast syllabus, the students might find it very hard to study all these topics on their own. In that case, it would be a good idea to join the Home Tutor Online programs offered by the Tutoroot platform, as it comes with various benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should we conserve biodiversity? 

As said above, Biodiversity plays an active role in various processes, that ensure the survival and genetic development of multiple species, in the said ecosystem.  

Define biodiversity

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of living organisms, in various types of ecosystems such as terrestrial, desert, marine, etc. The basic function of biodiversity is to explain the richness and variety in an ecosystem.

Why biodiversity is important?

different types of ecosystems and habitats across the world are rich with multiple types of organisms like plants, animals, etc. And the Biodiversity of flora and fauna is essential for the survival of the ecosystem, and thus it is important for the students to have a good understanding of the definition of biodiversity, conservation of biodiversity, etc. So here in the article below, we will help you understand what Biodiversity is. And its values.

What are the benefits of biodiversity?

Biodiversity plays one of the most vital functions of proper and ideal maintenance of ecosystem balance on the earth. These include aspects such as controlling and regulating pollution, environmental degradation, recycling and storage of nutrients, stabilizing climate, protecting and preserving water resources, maintaining air quality, increasing afforestation, creating and driving more sustainable and organic aspects of living, and protecting soil and maintaining eco-balance

Gift to the living beings, natural and biological resources: The major function of biodiversity, rather than the bounty out of proper maintaining of biodiversity is that we can our food, medicines, drugs, wood products, life stock, marine food, and a lot of other things.

There are social and community benefits too where biodiversity destinations encourage responsible tourism and also drive local employment and boost to local economy, besides boosting cultural aspects of communities, fostering new education and research.

What are the types of biodiversity?

There are three types of biodiversities. They are,

• Genetic Biodiversity – All organisms from the same background or category have various genetic differences from each other. For instance, humans from various different regions or over generations from the same family, have multiple differences in terms of looks, etc.
• Ecological Biodiversity – In an ecosystem, all living and non-living organisms have different types of interactions with each other, either directly or indirectly. This relationship between organisms is defined as Ecological Biodiversity.
• Species Biodiversity – As the name itself suggests, species biodiversity is stated as the number of variety of species that are surviving in a particular area or region. For example, different types of ants living in forests, etc.