MODULE II
(BIODIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT)
This module presents the foundation of
biological diversity, ecosystem and
sustainability. It also includes the relation of
human population and other species,
urbanization, and the environment.
Lesson 1
Biodiversity
Biodiversity, is a vast range of living
things; the plants, animals and other
organisms which contribute to the
enhancement of natural ecosystems as well
as the health and stability of the world. All
have an essential role to play. No matter how
minute or big an organism is, we depend on
innumerable species directly for basic needs
such as food, shelter, clothing, medicine,
breeding stocks and future resources for
everything. In other words, biodiversity
ensures natural sustainability and survival for
all life on Earth.
It is virtually synonymous with "Life on
earth".
Biologists most often define "biological
diversity" or "biodiversity" as the "totality of
genes, species and ecosystems of a region".
It includes deserts, rainforests, coral reefs,
grasslands, tundra, and polar ice caps.
IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is significant to the welfare of
our planet. Most cultures, have recognized
the importance of conserving/preserving
natural resources
A healthy biodiversity provides several
essential services for everyone like the
following :
● Ecosystem services, such as
o Protection of water resources
o Soils formation and protection
o Nutrient storage and recycling
o Pollution breakdown and
absorption
o Contribution to climate stability
o Maintenance of ecosystems
o Recovery from unpredictable
events
● Biological resources, such as
o Food
o Medicinal remedies and
pharmaceutical drugs
o Wood products
o Ornamental plants
o Breeding stocks, population
reservoirs
o Future resources
o Diversity in genes, species and
ecosystems
● Social benefits, such as
o Research, education and
monitoring
o Recreation and tourism
o Cultural values
FACTORS THAT AFFECTS BIODIVERSITY
Diversity of species varies significantly from
place to place and depends on several
interrelated factors.
Factors are:
1. Overexploitation
Overexploitation – is harvesting species faster
than population can replenish themselves.
Overhunting, overfishing, overconsumption
and over-harvesting contribute significantly to
environmental degradation and eventually the
reduction of biodiversity, killing off numerous
species ,poaching and other forms of hunting
for profit increase the risk of extinction; the
extinction of an apex predator – or , a
predator at the top of a food chain- can result
in catastrophic consequences for ecosystems.
2. Deforestation and habitat loss
Deforestation, the clearing or clear-cutting of
forests loss is a direct cause of loss and
extinction of biodiversity. Million acres of
forest are lost due to logging, agriculture,
mining and other human practices, destroying
the ecosystems on which many species
depend.
Besides, habitat loss and fragmentation due to
development, urbanization, infrastructure and
pollution has a massive impact on biodiversity
as human populations continue to increase.
3. Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants
or harmful materials to the environment
which alter and destroy habitats and species
in numerous ways.
One major-source of pollution is industries
dumping waste into large bodies of water.
Water and hazardous waste materials affect
the environment. It impacts organisms by
killing them, weakening them and affecting
their ability to function.
From dumping of billion pounds of plastic
into the ocean to burning of fossil fuels each
year, pollution completely disrupts the worlds'
ecosystems.
4. Climate change
Changing climate regionally or globally have
altered the ecosystem and the species. For
environment is a significant factor in the
distribution of species across the globe;
climate forces them to migrate to places
where temperature are more conducive,
however, many species can not cope, causing
them to die. Rapid man-made climate
change speed up the process without
affording ecosystems and species the time to
adapt.
5. Invasive Species
Non- native, or alien species are plants,
animals or other organisms transferred from
one ecosystem to another, either intentionally
or unintentionally. They pose a threat to
biodiversity when they possess adaptations
that help them out to dominate, compete,
prey upon or interbreed with native and
domesticated species in their new
ecosystem.
IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY
Preserving biodiversity is an extraordinary
challenge that must be met by greater
understanding of biodiversity itself, changes
in human behavior, beliefs practices and
various preservation strategies.
The reasons to maintain biodiversity are as
follows –
1. Ecological Reasons :
Biodiversity is of vital importance to maintain
the stability of our ecosystems. Every species
has a specific niche, a particular role and
function in the environment. Roles include
producing organic material, capturing,
sequestering and storing energy, providing
food, predation, decomposing organic matter,
cycling water and nutrients, controlling pests,
preventing erosion, regulating the climate,
adding to soil fertility, pollination and for
plant growth. Removal of any species may
significantly affect others, for most species
are interdependent upon each other for
survival.
● Pollinators provide significant
environmental and economical benefits
to natural ecosystems, including adding
diversity producing our food and plant-
based industrial products. As many as
one-third of the world's food
production relies directly or indirectly
on insect pollination.
● Transpiration of plants contribute to
the water cycle - provides water for
drinking and irrigation
● Rainforests contribute both to the
process of soil formation and the
regulation of climate through
photosynthesis – both producing oxygen
(O2) and absorbing carbon dioxide
(CO2). Wetlands serves as sponge-like
reservoirs in dry weather and help in
filtering and purifying water.
Mangrove swamps and coral reefs
 guards the land they surround by
reduction effects of erosion.
● Clean air: From old-growth forests to
ocean phytoplankton, the oxygen we
breathe is generated by
photosynthesizing members of
ecosystems around the world. Plants
also absorb a variety of pollutants and
toxicants from the air, and
sequestering the excess carbon dioxide
emissions that fuel climate change.
● Clean water: Forests help soil absorb
more water, which can filter out
contaminants and refill aquifers.
● Healthy soil: Soil naturally bustles with
lots of arthropods, bacteria and other
microorganisms, which are easy to
overlook but provide a wide range of
benefits. They provide food for more
massive creatures, help nutrients cycle,
boost nutrient availability to roots and
enhance plant health, among other
things.
2) Conserving Biological Diversity in
Agricultural Systems:
high agricultural productivity and
human health alike depend on the activity of
a diverse natural biota. Food production relies
on biodiversity for food plants, pollination,
pest control, nutrient provision, genetic
diversity, and disease prevention.
● Without the presence of natural
enemies, crop losses by pests in
agriculture and forestry would become
catastrophic and would escalate costs
enormously. Thus, excess use of
pesticides will have an adverse effects
in the environment.
● A diverse group of nitrogen fixing
bacteria from the atmosphere are use
for crops and forests.
3) Health:
When more species are conserved there
are more chances of discovering something for
medical use and possibility that could hold the
answer to future medical cures. When a
species becomes extinct or its genetic
diversity is lost, we will never know whether
research would have given us a new vaccine,
medicine or drug.
● Higher biodiversity has also been linked
to lower instance of diseases, with
studies finding lower human rates of
Lyme disease, malaria, acute
respiratory infection and diarrhea
around protected natural areas.
● Both medicinal plants and
manufactured pharmaceuticals rely on
biodiversity. In developing new
medicines, modern researchers are
looking more and more towards our
natural biological resources. This
inspiration is especially prevalent in
rain forests, biodiversity hotspots that
contain half of all known species. For
example, the asthma drug theophylline
from cacao trees and about 70 percent
of plants with cancer-fighting
properties occur only in rain forests.
● Many marine species use chemical-
based, defense mechanisms, rich
source of new and economically
essential medicines.
4) Economic Reasons:
● The higher the diversity in an
ecosystem the greater the potential for
the manufacture of products in the
future. Large scale habitat and
biodiversity losses mean that species
with potential economic importance
may become extinct before they are
even discovered.
● Areas rich in biodiversity provide a
pleasing, attractive environment and
can promote tourism. Thus it becomes
a source of income and provides
employment and ultimately contributes
to economies.
● Biodiversity ecosystems supply us with
a diversity of raw materials, including
wood, biofuels and plant oils that come
from both wild and cultivated species.
Elements from different plants offer
 different properties, such as harder or
softer wood, or oils with varying smoke
points. The more diverse an ecosystem
is, the more stable it is, the more
productive it tends to be, and the
better it can withstand environmental
stress
5) Aesthetic reasons:
● Biodiversity and the protection of our
ecosystems is also essential to us all as
individuals. Landscapes and species are
beautiful and enrich the lives of
humans .We can all appreciate the
beauty of biodiversity whether we are
looking at a rock-pooling, going for a
walk in a wood or sitting in a garden.
Human beings like to live in a varied
natural environment with open spaces
to walk and play in, trees for shade,
colorful flowers, clean water for
swimming and paddling, birds and
animals.
o Natural world provides
inspiration for people such as
musicians and writers. Our
landscapes also reflect our
history.
● Studies have shown that patients
recover more rapidly from stress and
injury when supported by plants and a
relatively natural environment.
In addition to showing respect for other living
organisms on our planet, we should care
about biodiversity because it benefits humans
in the following ways:
● Natural products: Many of the
medicines, fertilizers, and pesticides
we use are derived from plants and
animals. We also get products such as
oils, adhesives, and silk from natural
sources.
● Environmental services: We rely on
plants and animals for essential
processes such as soil aeration,
fertilization, and pollination.
● Enjoyment: Biodiversity is often the
subject of aesthetic interest.
● Scientific interest: The diversity of
plants and animals inspires scientific
inquiry in many different realms.
Evolutionary science, anatomy,
physiology, behaviour, and ecology are
only a few examples.
● Self-perpetuation: Biologically diverse
ecosystems help to preserve their
component species, reducing the need
for future conservation efforts
targeting endangered species.
● Future potential for even more uses:
With new discoveries to come, there
will be many more practical reasons to
appreciate biodiversity!

● Genes: Wild animals and plants are

sources of genes for hybridization,
modification and genetic engineering.

● Biological control agents: Some

species of living things help us control
invasive/alien species without the use
of poisons.

● Food sources: Animals, plants,

mushrooms, etc.