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Introduction to Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity
• Bio = life
• Diversity = variety
• Biodiversity = variety of life on this planet
• Biodiversity can be defined as the “variety of life”.
✓ The term Biodiversity was first coined by Walter G. Rosen in1986.
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What is Biodiversity
✓ The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biodiversity as “the
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of
which variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, they
are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of
ecosystems.”
✓ Thus, Biodiversity refers to the variety of forms. It also includes the genes they
contain and the ecosystem they form.
✓ It deals essentially with dynamic processes and increases when anew genetic
variation is produced and decreases on the loss of genetic variation and species
extinction.
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Types of Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Ecosystem Genetic
Diversity Diversity
Species
Diversity
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Types of Biodiversity
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Types of Biodiversity
1. Genetic Biodiversity
• It refers to variation of genes within species. This variation can exist between different
populations of the same species as well as between individual within a population.
• Genetic diversity provides organisms and ecosystems with capacity to recuperate after
change has occurred.
• Thus genetic diversity is a level of biodiversity that refers to the total number of genetic
characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.
• It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of a genetic
characteristics to vary.
• Genetic diversity plays a great role in the adaptability and survival of a species. A
species that has a large degree of genetic diversity among its individuals will have more
variations from which to choose the most fitting allele.
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Importance of Biodiversity
A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services
for everyone:
Ecosystem services, such as
▪ Protection of water resources
▪ Soils formation and protection
▪ Nutrient storage and recycling
▪ Pollution breakdown and absorption
▪ Contribution to climate stability
▪ Maintenance of ecosystems
▪ Recovery from unpredictable events
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Importance of Biodiversity
Biological resources, such as
• Food
• Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
• Wood products
• Ornamental plants
• Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
• Future resources
• Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems
Importance of Biodiversity
Social benefits, such as
•Research, education and monitoring
•Recreation and tourism
•Cultural values
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