Content
- What is biodiversity?
- Types of biodiversity
- genetic biodiversity
- Species biodiversity
- Ecological or ecosystem biodiversity
- Importance of biodiversity
- Causes of biodiversity loss
One of the fundamental issues of the present time is, without a doubt, the conservation of biodiversity. It is a theme that has gained relevance in different areas of human activity, as based on its understanding and study, we can develop plans for its conservation. But do we really know what biodiversity means? It is approached in different ways, as we can address biodiversity from an evolutionary, ecological and even economic perspective. However, and even though humans interact with biological diversity on a daily basis and in various ways, it is often difficult to define its meaning.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will tell you what is biodiversity, its characteristics and the types of existing biodiversity.
What is biodiversity?
Several concepts of biological diversity or biodiversity have already been proposed, and the term has generally been used very broadly. We can define biodiversity as the variability of life, its composition, structure and function, and it can be represented as a hierarchy of interconnected elements at various levels of biological organization. Furthermore, it refers to variability at all levels of organization, from the genes that make up a population or species, to the species that make up a community, and finally, to the same communities that make up the planet's multiple ecosystems. So when we talk about biodiversity, we're referring to all levels of biological variation.
Biodiversity is the property of living systems to be different, that is, there is variability among all organisms that inhabit the planet, and this is a natural and innate property of all biological systems. It is also a feature of the many ways in which all organisms adapt and integrate.
Types of biodiversity
Now that you know what biodiversity means, we can talk about the types into which it can be classified. We know that biological diversity includes the variability of all living things from any source or origin, and that includes the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and the ecological networks of which they are a part. That said, biodiversity is classified according to the scale it is focused on, which can be:
genetic biodiversity
Genetic biodiversity refers to the diversity within each species, that is, it refers to to the variability that exists within species. It is the set of all its genes, and the more genetic diversity there is, the greater the chances of success for a species. In a broad sense, it is the most basic component of biodiversity and is defined as variations that are heritable and occur in each organism among individuals in a population, and among populations within the same species, from evolutionary processes. Therefore, knowing and understanding how these processes work is vital for us to conserve it, since many areas depend on this type of biodiversity, such as the advancement of evolutionary genetics, human health, sustainability and productivity of fields and forests and other natural ecosystems.
Species biodiversity
This type of biodiversity is basically the number of species that inhabit a location, be it a forest, a lake or a continent. This classification includes all the common traits that each species shares and that allow individuals of the same species to reproduce with each other.
Ecological or ecosystem biodiversity
It encompasses all ecosystems that we find in the world or in a certain geographic area, and all species that are part of these ecosystems, as well as the balance that exists between them. As we talk about the interactions of species that make up an ecosystem, this type of biodiversity can be divided into three components:
- alpha diversity: defined as the number of species at the local level.
- beta diversity: refers to a more general level and is the difference in species composition between communities.
- gamma diversity: is the number of species at the regional level, that is, taking into account a higher level.
These are levels that define different aspects of diversity and whose associated variables also differ. It is a way to hierarchically schematize biodiversity, incorporating the spatial scale factor.
Importance of biodiversity
The consequences of biodiversity loss are truly alarming, which is why conserving it is so important. For many years, the conservation of species and natural environments has become increasingly worrying. Its importance lies in the fact that provide various environmental or ecosystem services, that is, to provide the natural conditions and processes typical of ecosystems and through which the human being obtains various benefits and, ultimately, survives. Some of these services are the degradation of organic residues, the formation and composition of the soil and the control of erosion and desiccation, the increase of food resources for crops and their production, the biological control of many pests, the pollination of plant species, regulation of the climate, among many others.
For all these reasons, the importance of biodiversity is nothing more than keep the balance. Without it, life as we know it would gradually disappear.
Causes of biodiversity loss
In the previous section, we saw the consequences of biodiversity loss, which is mainly the imbalance between different ecosystems and therefore the deterioration of life in general. But what is causing this? The loss of biodiversity represents one of the most important global problems, because currently, the panorama reflects a growing degradation and depletion of natural systems and their biodiversity. Due to many human practices, many of the natural and complex ecosystems have become homogeneous and simpler environments, putting at risk the stability of the biological interactions that make up the ecosystems and leading to the extinction of many plant and animal species. Likewise, many others are in serious danger of extinction. Discover in this other article the most endangered animals in the world.
Thus, due to increasing human pressure that is constantly developing, there has been a rapid destruction of local and regional biodiversity, often leaving natural vegetation and wildlife unprotected. On the other hand, along with the modern food production standards we use, there are other factors that threaten biodiversity, such as the following:
- Alteration and overexploitation of species and habitats
- Introduction of exotic species
- Modification of environmental conditions
In this sense, the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity contributed to establishing a political climate in which biodiversity presents itself as a vital and fundamental issue, both at an environmental and developmental level, and leads us to understand that the existence and future of biodiversity they depend on biological and sociocultural processes.
If you want to read more articles similar to Biodiversity - Meaning, types and characteristics, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.