Biodiversity What is biodiversity ?

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is a term used to describe the variety of living organisms in our natural environment. It includes all organisms, from mi croscopic bacteria to more complex plants. Biodiversity is everywhere. It occurs both on land and in water, from high alti tudes to deep ocean trenches. The importance of biodiversity The ecological balance of biodiversity is very important for man s survival . By cha nging biodiversity , the human well being as well as the well being of every oth er living creature will come in danger . For example , plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxyge n for our survival but by cutting down the trees and clearing the forests we hav e created a problem of unhealthy environment for us . There are also organisms that have great values . For example , there are insect s which are pollinators and are extremely important for the successful fruiting of plants but by the careless elimination of these beneficial species , by using toxic pesticides , we have negatively affected the agricultural production and the health of our ecosystem . So it is very - very important to conserve the bio diversity of this beautiful planet . Reasons In order to stop the degradation of biodiversity , it is necessary to find out t he factors responsible for this situation . Some of them are 1. Rapid growth in population - The growth in human population has touched about every environmental issue and has made worse about every environmental pro blem. It poses a threat to other species, directly and indirectly. More people m eans more habitat alteration, more pollution, more exploitation of natural resou rces . With more growth in resource consumption by affluent societies, human pop ulation growth is the ultimate reason behind many threats to biodiversity. With the increase in world population , we 2. Emission of green house gasses observe that there is an increase in carbon dioxide emission and fossil fuel con sumption resulting in global warming . 3. Unsustainable approach The unsustainable approach of biological resource e xtraction has also been a reason of degradation of biodiversity . At its roots , there are two main problem a) Too many people want the same resource b) Extractor have short term profit goals 4. Ignorance People are not educated and aware on this issue . They lack in i nformation about the ecological consequences . 5. Over consumption of resources The world population is consuming resources faster than the earth can replace them . It has increased to the point where the earth is unable to keep up in the struggle to regenerate . Effects Continuous decline in the quality of biodiversity has left a lot of effects whic h are very harmful for all . For example The pressures driving from biodiversity loss are 1. Global warming and climate change 2. Extinction of species 3. Over exploitation of natural resources 4. Pollution resulting in health hazards 5. Unsustainable growth in all fields All this clearly indicates that human activities are adversely affecting the bio diversity of the world . This is an alarming trend for planet earth . How can we hope to survive as a result what are we doing today ?

The measures to save biodiversity If we , the humans , do not want to be extinct like dinosaurs , dodo and other s pecies , we must take some measures to save the biodiversity of the earth . 1. Education and awareness Education is a key to the success of saving biodiversity for a number of reasons . Generally , citizens are unaware of the problems facing biodiversity or how t hey could help . If awareness is created , no doubt their activities can reduce impacts on the environment . 2. Industrial management In developing countries like India , industries are a great polluter but they ca nnot be shut down as they play a significant role in the progress of the country but they must make efforts to protect air , water and land from being polluted through proper waste management . 3. Legislation Protection of biodiversity requires concrete actions . Thus government has a cri tical role to play . It is government s duty to 1. Draft the legislation . 2. Setting up of protected areas . 3. Informing people about the status and value of biodiversity . 4. Creating awareness how people can help to protect the environment . There must be a commitment by the government to identify , protect and recover t he species which are at risk . Legislation must also enforce tighter controls on the illegal trade of wildlife and plants .

4. International cooperation Successful biodiversity conservation efforts require international cooperation a nd agreements because wildlife and pollution do not respect political boundaries . This goal must seek to establish cooperative efforts at the international lev el to protect the biodiversity . Some simple measures Here are some simple tips for a common man which can make a big difference in sa ving the environment 1. Plant more and more tress . 2. Be vegetarian 3. Use plastic judicially 4. Use CFL instead of bulbs and tube lights 5. Do most of the work in sunlight instead of artificial lights 6. Clean the filter of the air conditioner at regular intervals 7. Buy bigger packing of eatables than smaller ones 8. Take fresh food instead of readymade or frozen food 9. Throw vegetable and fruit peels direct into the compost pits instead of dustbins 10. Switch of electronic appliances when they are not in use 11. Use cloth napkin instead of paper napkin 12. Use bucket water instead of running water 13. Use glass bottles instead of canes or plastic bottles 14. Pay bills online 15. Use bicycle 16. Use car on pool system if going in the same direction 17. Use public transport instead of private vehicle Conclusion Today whatever can not be absorbed will remain in the atmosphere which will resu

lt in an increase of the world temperature , climate change and a worse weather pattern . The conservation of biodiversity is very essential for human survival . Our live s are in inextricably linked with it and ultimately its protection is essential for our own survival . At the global level , from the perspective of political , geographical , national , cultural and religious differences are insignificant . We all share the same home called the blue planet . It is very fragile and it is ou r responsibility to take care of it and to protect it .