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Module 9

Biodiversity and Healthy Society

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Define biodiversity;
2. Explain the importance of biodiversity;
3. Enumerate some activities which threaten biodiversity.

Introduction

Living organisms exist everywhere. They are different in their habit

and behaviour, shapes, sizes and colour. The diversity of living organisms
form an inseparable and significant parts of our planet however, the ever
increasing human population is posing serious threats to bio-diversity. In
this lesson we shall learn the activities of human which are causing loss
of biodiversity and the efforts that are being taken or need to be taken to
protect and conserve the biodiversity.

Lesson 1: Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of life in the simplest term. It is a measure

of variation and richness of living organisms at a particular scale. It can be
measured on an extremely small scale, such as the number of organisms
living in a spoonful of soil, or on a large scale, such as the whole earth. It
includes not just the species but ecosystem. Living organisms adapt to the
physical characteristics of these areas and develop their niche.

Components of Biodiversity
 Genetic Diversity
 Species Diversity
 Ecological Diversity

Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity refers to variation or differences in the genes of a
species of individuals. Gene differences contribute in the adaptive
potential of the species that can more importantly lead to microevolution.
The variation enables one species to adapt to changing environment and
the perpetuation of a new population.
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Species Diversity
This involves the combination of species number and their relative
abundance in a particular area. Species evenness is a measure of
whether a particular ecosystem is dominated by a single species or if
similar number of individuals is present. Species is a group of
interbreeding organism with similar structures. New species is added
everyday. It is believed that insects are the most diverse.

Ecological Diversity
Ecological Diversity refers to a variety of ecosystem in a given
region. It includes aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. These ecosystems
cater a wide range of species that inter act with one another forming a
community.

Why biodiversity matters?

Biodiversity affects humans on various aspects: health, economy.

Culture and environmental issues. Humans have many reasons to value
biodiversity. It include the many potentials for different life forms to provide
scientific information, recreational benefits, medicine, food, or other
materials that are useful to us. Animals, plants, and other components of
every ecosystem do many things for humans such as purifying water and
air, pollinating crops, maintaining a proper heat balance in the
atmosphere, and cycling critical nutrient .Biodiversity are based on the
idea of having intrinsic value irrespective of any potential human uses. It
would include conserving coral reefs or redwood forests on the basis that
these ecosystems have a right to exist, irrespective of how, if at all, they
might benefit human society.

Threats to Biodiversity

A number of factors negatively affect biodiversity. The effect maybe in

small scale or large scale.

1. Habitat destruction
This occurs when a particular area is converted from usable to
unusable habitat. Deforestation, industrial activities, agriculture,
mining and water extraction are the major cause of habitat loss.
2. Pollution
The discharge of toxic synthetic chemicals and heavy metals into
the environment has a huge impact on species abundance and can
lead to extinctions. The high concentration of the compounds can
make an environment unfavorable for the survival of a particular
organism.
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3. Introduction of non-native species and new varieties

This includes exotic micro and macro species introduced
accidentally or deliberately, to a place that is not a part of their
natural habitat. Example of invasive species affecting the
aquaculture industry include janitor fish and black head tilapia.

4. Global climate change

The increase in the world’s temperature threatens biodiversity. It includes

meltdown of icebergs which lead to rise of sea level. Climate change is impacting
ecosystems in several ways, including via temperature shifts. These shifts are
making it difficult or even impossible for many species to survive. As the climate
changes more and more, biodiversity will face ever greater threats.

5. Exploitation

Any form of abuse to organism threaten the biological diversity. This includes
targeted hunting, gathering, or fishing for a particular species as well as
incidental harvesting. Collecting in huge amount may threaten their
proliferation.

6. Overpopulation
As population increases, the demand and needs of human also
Increase thus need of natural resources also increases.

How can biodiversity loss be prevented?

Appropriate research, government legislation and awareness,
education, sustainable use of biodiversity are some ways to prevent the
biodiversity loss.

Several technologies are available to maintain biodiversity. These are:

1. Cell and tissue culture
2. Advances in molecular biology
3. Cryopreservation technology

What is the role of evolution in biodiversity?

Evolution is the underlying mechanism of biodiversity. Evolution

maybe micro or macro. Microevolution is the evolution below the species level
while macroevolution is the type that gives rise to new species or larger group.
The change of the genetic composition of species changes may
happen through artificial selection or by natural selection. In, artificial selection,
human determine which individuals breed as exemplified by the specific crops
that are bred and varieties come out. Natural selection is the process through
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which populations of living organisms adapt and change. Individuals in a

population are naturally variable, meaning that they are all different in some
ways. 
Speciation and extinction may happen and dictate biodiversity. There are
two kinds of speciation, the allopatric and sympatric. Speciation maybe
allopatric, if new species are created by geographic or reproductive isolation.
Sympatric if one species evolves into two species without being geographically
isolated.
The dying out or termination of species is called extinction. This happens
due to environmental forces such as habitat fragmentation, global change and
over exploitation of species.

Summing Up
Biodiversity refers to the variation and richness of living organisms.
Biodiversity matters to humanity and is also often considered to be valuable for
its own sake. Biodiversity tends to be concentrated in certain regions, with
rainforests having more biodiversity than any other type of ecosystem on land.
While there have been species extinctions throughout history, both because of
human activities and for other reasons; today, human activities are threatening
extinctions at unprecedented rates. Human activities are also active in protecting
biodiversity, such as in projects to protect tracts of land for wildlife .

Assessment

What Have You Learned

Answer the following:

1. What is biodiversity?
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2. Distinguish macroevolution and microevolution.
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3. Differentiate speciation and extinction.

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4. Enumerate and discuss the threats to biodiversity.

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5. How can biodiversity loss be prevented?

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Reflection

Prepare a drawing to share your thoughts about biodiversity.

Assignment

Propose a strategy to help save biodiversity in your locality.

References
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Ammann, K.(2004) The impact of agricultural biotechnology on biodiversity, a

review. Botanic Garden, University of Bern

Baum, R. (2017) Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone Depletion, University of

California,Irvine American Society.

Braun, R. and Ammann, K.(2002) Biodiversity: the Impact of Biotechnology

Grant, F., Mergeay, J.,Santamaria, L.,Young, J. and Watt, A.D.(Eds.)(2010)

Evolution and Biodiversity: The Evolutionary basis of biodiversity and its potential
for adaptation to global change. Repot of an e-conference

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Ecosystems and Human Well-being:

Biodiversity Synthesis. World Resource Institute, Washington,D.C.