Understanding Biodiversity: Importance, Threats and Conversion


What is Biodiversity?

    The word bio means "living" and diversity means "variety" so biodiversity refers to variety of life on Earth, encompassing all species, ecosystems and biomes. Biodiversity is a measure of the variety of organisms present in ecosystems. No one knows about the exact origin of life; limited evidence suggested that 600 million years ago, all life consisted of unicellular organisms. Diversity depends on various ecological factors.

Importance of biodiversity:

     Biodiversity plays an crucial role in supporting and maintaining ecosystem. It is directly involved in recycling complex organic substances which provide nutrients to plants and other organisms. Biodiversity is, directly or indirectly, a major source of many medicines. It is also source of industrial material such as rubber, plastic, adhesives, fibers, dyes, resins and oil. 

Loss of Biodiversity:

        Loss of biodiversity refers to the disappearance of several species, ecosystems and overall variety of life on Earth. It is a major problem, facing our planet today.

 Causes:

    There are many factors contributing to loss of biodiversity. Some of the major causes are described below.

Deforestation:

    Cutting down of trees for industrial and domestic purposes, is called deforestation. There are two main causes of deforestation.
   
  1. Natural causes
  2. Human activity

  1. Natural causes:

    Sometimes natural actions cause deforestation some of these include:
  • Diseases (fungal, viral or bacterial), which are spread through animal pathogens, weaken trees, often leading to their death.
  • Cyclones and other natural disasters, such as volcanic eruption, can cause widespread deforestation by damaging or destroying trees. Strong wind break branches and also uproot trees.
  • Lightning strikes destroy large area of forest.
  • Insects disturb nutrient cycle and destroy trees.

Human activities:

    Deforestation primarily caused by humans. Here are some activities which had bad impact on forest.
  • In houses and building, wood is major component used for construction. Forests are cut down to make way for housing developments and industries.
  • Wood used in paper and furniture industries leads to deforestation.
  • Local agriculture requires large area, which is often leads to deforestation. They clear forest by technical machines or burning.
  • Forest are also cleared for energy production, as plants are natural source of  oil.
  • Construction of dams for hydrostatic energy causes flood which uproot plants.

Over Hunting:

    Over hunting is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Humans hunted many rare animals such as markhor, bears, tiger for their profit. 

Extinct species:

    When it is conformed that the last individual of a species has died, is called extinct species. Some example are dinosaur, flamingo,  dodo, mammoth and golden toad.

Endangered species:

    When there is a risk of a species becoming extinct in the future, it is called endangered species. Some example are markhor, Indian one-horned rhino, ibex, whales and brown spider monkey.

                     Endangered species in Pakistan

Indus dolphin:

    These are found in Indus River. A recent survey indicates only around 600 Indus dolphin remains due to habitat destruction and water pollution. 

Houbara bustard:

    These are migrating birds. It is endanger due to over hunting, over grazing and destruction of its habitat. The global population is 42000 to 97000 are left.

Marco polo sheep:

    Marco polo sheep live in mountain regions of Central Asia. Over hunting and long-running war in Afghanistan is cause of its extinction. There are just 150 are left in Pakistan.

Conversion:

    Protection of biodiversity is very necessary for our future. It is major problem on our planet today. Biologists urge international government to create council for the protection of biodiversity. 

International agreement:

    The international Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF-P) work together to protect biodiversity with the help of other institutions. The IUCN generate  National Red List for endangered species.

Ban on games:

    WWF-P successfully banned games in which bears are used.

Convention on Combating Desertification (CCD):

    Pakistan signed the CCD in 1997. This is an international treaty against poverty in drylands. The treat to biodiversity is very hot topic in UN now a days.

Students responsibility:

    Prepare speeches and seminars to raise awareness about the threat to species. Research about biodiversity and published SOP's for protection of biodiversity.   

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