The Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Rose Ann C.Olaer

B.S in Tourism and Management
1st year
Science and technology
(Term paper)
-Jasmine Zyra Erandio
INTRODUCTION:
Biodiversity is the variety of living species on Earth – plants, animals and microorganisms –
and the ecosystems they form. An ecosystem is the name given to all living species that live
together in a stable community, interacting with one another and their physical environment.
Biodiversity includes the diversity within species and between different species within
terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Ecosystems need a balanced and diverse
number of species to thrive.
Biodiversity, abbreviated from the terms 'biological' and 'diversity', encompasses the variety
of life forms found at all scales of biological organization, ranging from genes to species to
ecosystems. The greatest biodiversity is found in the tropical regions of the world,
particularly among tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Biodiversity is increased by genetic
change and evolutionary processes and reduced by habitat destruction, population decline and
extinction. There is a growing recognition that the level of biodiversity is an important factor
in influencing the resilience of ecosystems to disturbance.
Biodiversity is a complex term that includes not only the variety of different animals but also
the difference between animals of the same species and between ecosystems which is the
ecosystem
Genetic Diversity is the diversity of genetic characteristics (expressed or recessive) within a
species (i.e. between individuals and populations of the same species). This component of
biodiversity is important because it allows populations to adapt to environmental changes
through the survival and reproduction of individuals within a population that have particular
genetic characteristics that enable them to withstand these changes. The maintenance of high
genetic diversity within populations is therefore a conservation and management priority as
this provides the greatest capacity for any population to adapt to a broad range of
environmental changes. Conversely, failure to maintain genetic diversity limits the capacity
for a population to adapt, making it vulnerable to even small changes in the environment and
increasing the likelihood of extinction.
Species Diversity is simply the number and relative abundance of species found in a given
biological organization (population, ecosystem, Earth). Species are the basic units of
biological classification and hence, this is the measure most commonly associated with the
term 'biodiversity'. Worldwide, about 1.75 million different species have been identified.
However, many environments and groups of organisms are not well studied and estimates of
species numbers range from 3 to 100 million. Diversity in species is important for economic,
biological, social and cultural reasons. Major threats to species diversity are loss of habitat
and fragmentation, over exploitations (fishing, hunting, extraction), pollution, the
introduction of invasive species and global climate change. In order to conserve species
diversity, natural resource management and habitat protection are vital.

Ecosystem Diversity can be defined as the variety of different habitats, communities and
ecological processes. A biological community is defined by the species that occupy a
particular area and the interactions between those species. A biological community together
with its associated physical environment is termed an ecosystem.
BODY / CONCLUSION
Our environment really is the most significant part in our life that is also needed our love and
care in order to conserve it for the next generations. Through the enough knowledge
regarding on how we must take care of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Ecosystem, we are be
able to have a planet that is green and healthy, not only its physical features but the
atmosphere of its living creatures.
When people think of conserving biodiversity, they often think of efforts to save animals
such as the polar bear or the tiger. While protecting single species is important, it is equally
important to protect ecosystems. When there is a shift in the balance of an ecosystem, such as
the loss of a plant or an animal or an introduction of new species, this shift can lead to
irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand what makes an ecosystem
thrive.
Biodiversity plays a critical role in sustaining human populations across the globe. We
depend on it for sustained food growth, for clean air and water and for medicine and shelter.
It is no surprise then that ecosystem degradation threatens our most basic necessity – a
healthy environment to live and thrive in. This is especially true of biodiversity hotspots,
which house some of the largest diversity of species in the world and provide important life-
support services to the people who live in and around them.
Biodiversity is necessary for all species on Earth, including humans, to function properly. We
cannot have healthy ecosystems that give us with the air we breathe and the food we consume
without a diverse range of animals, plants, and microorganisms. People also place a high
value on nature.
Healthy ecosystems clean our water, purify our air, maintain our soil, regulate the climate,
recycle nutrients and provide us with food. They provide raw materials and resources for
medicines and other purposes. They are at the foundation of all civilisation and sustain our
economies. It's that simple: we could not live without these “ecosystem services”. They are
what we call our natural capital.
Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans.
Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy
ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. And
people also value nature of itself.
Lastly, biodiversity is embedded in human cultures and is fundamental for our understanding
of the world. Biodiversity enriches our lives – it has economic, cultural, recreational,
religious and aesthetic importance across the world.