1.1 Definition and Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity, the rich mosaic of life on planet Earth, is a complex term which can be defined in several ways. In general, the term “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life forms on Earth. It includes the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic material.
In 1996, DeLong offered a more comprehensive definition that allows modification according to the context in which it is used i.e. “Biodiversity is an attribute of an area and specifically refers to the variety within and among living organisms, assemblages of living organisms, biotic communities, and biotic processes, whether naturally occurring or modified by humans. Biodiversity can be measured in terms of genetic diversity and the identity and number of different types of species, assemblages of species, biotic communities, and biotic processes, and the amount (e.g., abundance, biomass, cover, rate) and structure of each. It can be observed and measured at any spatial scale ranging from microsites and habitat patches to the entire biosphere.” (pp. 738-749). Even with the lack of clear and precise meaning, the term ‘Biodiversity’ has already gained much acceptance, but greatly precise definition will be required for the policies and conservation programs to be effectively defined in the future.
Biodiversity is a fundamental component of the planet's health, providing ecological services such as pollination, water purification, air purification, climate regulation, nutrient recycling, pest control, soil fertility, medicinal resources, recreation and aesthetics, resilience to disturbances, and various other that are yet to be known (Assessment, 2005). These ecological services highlight the interconnectedness of biodiversity and the well-being of both ecosystems and human societies. Bio diverse ecosystems can withstand and recover from disturbances like natural disasters and climate change. Also they are capable of recovering from diseases and local extinctions. Pollination, nutrient recycling and pest control are the ecological processes maintaining ecological balance. Clean air, climate regulations, food, water and medicines are some of the ecological services provided by biodiversity of that ecosystem which is crucial for human well-being. The biodiversity of the livelihood is beneficial to any community involved in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Genetic biodiversity of organisms helps in modifying the genes and is very crucial for breeding programs. This raw, wild and resistant gene helps in developing crops or organisms with resistance to disease, certain environmental changes and makes them better adaptable to changing climate. Their medicinal properties can also be used, giving us a chance to develop new drugs and advanced treatments. Besides the above services, biodiversity contributes to the aesthetic beauty of a landscape and enriches human experiences by being an important part of cultural practices, traditions and aesthetics. Biodiversity is also important for climate regulation. It sequesters carbon, influences temperature, rainfall and weather patterns on long-term, thus, helping mitigate the changes in climate. It is crucial to protect and preserve natural biodiversity for sustaining the ecological processes and services they provide. Human survival, their welfare and maintenance of a healthy, functioning planet depends on these services.