Biodiversity is the measure of variety of the Earth's animal, plant and microbial species; of genetic differences within species and of the ecosystems that support those species.
The term first came to public attention in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit at which a convention for the preservation for the maintenance of biodiversity was signed by over 100 world leaders [excluding the USA as they feared it would undermine the patents and licences of US biotechnology companies] .
The maintenance of biodiversity is important for ecological stability and maintaining the gene pool, and as a resource for research into, for example, new drugs and crops.
What is causing a reduction in biodiversity in both the developed [EDC] and less developed [ELDC] worlds?.
Most of the threats currently faced by species of plants and animals are linked to human action. In some cases this action, for example, hunting, deliberately aims to reduce species numbers[ e.g. White Rhino-sole purpose of which is to cut the horn off for illegal sale to Asian (mainly China) who mistakenly believe it has aphrodisiac powers]. There few Rhinos left and some subspecies have disappeared altogether e.g. Javan and Sumatran. Similar fate is facing the tiger e.g. Bengal down to 1,500 in number, Siberian circa 250 left. .
In other situations species are inadvertently affected, for example, where habitats are destroyed or modified by people wishing to use the land for other purposes [For example , Korean Hyundai Company has just been given concession for deforestation and mineral exploration in key Siberian Tiger territory].
In extreme cases, a species may become extinct- this is irreversible- a loss of biodiversity. Extinction in the wild means that some individuals may still exist in captivity or in a seed bank. Extirpation is localized loss.
Habitat destruction and modification is the most serious threat to biodiversity. Some indication of the extent of this problem is given in the table below:.
Biodiversity is the difference of species in one particular ecosystem. ... Biodiversity doesn't include only animals it also includes plant species. Loss of biodiversity has had an impact to ecosystems on a global scale. ... Biodiversity impacts the environment in different ways than just air pollution. ... We need to keep the planet's biodiversity up, otherwise the ecosystems will crash. ...
Biodiversity is a key element in the earth's biosphere- the capability of earth and its atmosphere to support life- due to the earth's dependency on the maintenance of biodiversity and other non-living objects. This is why the preservation and knowing the threats to biodiversity is highly recommended, as we ourselves depend so heavily on biodiversity and can help maintain it for future generations. Although, before knowing the threats we must first identify the different aspects of biodiversity. ... Although habitat destruction generally focuses on terrestrial biodiversity this als...
Importance of Biodiversity According to Rahul Srivastava (2006), biodiversity plays an important role in the functionality of ecosystems. ... This section of biodiversity is what policymakers have focused on. ... Biodiversity Policy Making Biodiversity, in the realm of policy making, is plagued with many challenges. ... Each is designed to protect some aspect of biodiversity. ... The biggest challenge to biodiversity is political climate. ...
Is Biodiversity Overprotected." ... This article covered both sides of the argument over protection of biodiversity. Laband supports the claim that biodiversity is in fact overprotected while Wilson argues that it is not. Laband's major argument is that the cost of biodiversity protection is placed unfairly on landowners by those living in urban areas. ... I think this reading was assigned because it is a very good introduction to some of the fundamental issues that we face when we look at the issue of conservation of biodiversity. ...
One of the most important of these "bioneering" themes would probably be biodiversity. ... The first essay from The Bioneers, which carries the biodiversity theme, is John Todd's "Alternate Greenhouse Effect" (17). ... Both of which are centered on the main theme of biodiversity. ... What does this have to do with biodiversity? Evolution is one of the main ideas of biodiversity. ...
What is Biodiversity? ... Biologists because of the huge increase in biodiversity confirmed the year 2010 as the year of international biodiversity. ... The following are different types of biodiversity: 1. ... Threats to Biodiversity Our biodiversity is under threat, as in the last few years a large number of species have become extinct. ... It is specifically known as agricultural biodiversity. ...
Introduction Biodiversity is a critical issue for New Zealand. This essay attempts to define biodiversity and to examine New Zealand's role in international and national biodiversity issues. ... In response to international treaty requirements and the State of New Zealands Environment report which describes biodiversity as New Zealand's most pervasive environmental problem, New Zealand has developed a Biodiversity strategy which aims to conserve and sustainably manage New Zealands biodiversity. ... What is Biodiversity? ... Scientists generally consider biodiversity as containing t...
Objectives Review of Chapter 1 Define the term biodiversity explain the three levels of biodiversity. ... What is Biodiversity? ... Levels of Biodiversity Genetic Diversity Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity Composition Numbers, names classification of species Measures of species diversity Measures of genetic diversity True Or False? ... (Adapting to change) Biodiversity - Ecosystems - Biomes - Terrestrial Ecosystem Structure Community Structure The way that populations are organized/distributed in a particular area. ...
The idea for this research project derives from a class seminar early in the quarter in which students briefly pondered whether Christianity encourages or discourages the conservation of biodiversity. ... In accomplishing these rhetorical tasks, I would reveal that Judeo-Christianity's environmental ethic discourages the conservation of biodiversity. ... The thesis lead to a sophomoric concluding discussion: Judeo-Christianity can encourage, discourage, or have no effect on the conservation of biodiversity. ... Hence, the Judeo-Christian tradition encourages the development of life-neg...