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Biodiversity is the variety or diversity of living organisms at all levels, the biological diversity of life. In the most basic sense biodiversity refers to the diversity of species that occupy an area. While this is correct it does fall short of what biodiversity truly encompasses; the diversity of the units of life. Units that range in size from genetic material to landscape regions and even to the major biomes of the world. The basic components of biodiversity include a diversity of species, termed species diversity, as well as genetic diversity, taxonomic diversity, and ecological diversity (see table 1).
Why is Biodiversity Important?
There are many reasons that biodiversity is important. It affects all forms of life, even humans. Just as a diverse community means multiple resources for a black-capped chickadee it also means multiple resources for us. Some of the resources that come to mind are the medicines used when ill, foods, wood used for houses and furniture, and the paper we write and print on. Recreational resources include hunting, wildlife viewing, camping and other outdoor activities that we take pleasure in. Not only does biodiversity provide resources that are important to life, it also provides the setting for ecological services such as nutrient cycling, erosion control, cleaning air, filtering water and pollination.
Many of our biological resources are threatened with degradation. Some of the major threats to biodiversity are:
- Habitat Loss - area is converted from a natural state to a semi-natural or unnatural state.
- Habitat Fragmentation - large areas are divided into smaller often scattered units.
- Invasive Species - many are aggressive and out compete native species.
- Overuse and Exploitation of Resources - poor management can stress communities when resources are used faster than they can be replenished.
- Pollution - can affect communities and species in numerous way depending on the contaminant.
- Climate Change - changes in climate can stress natural communities to the point that species assemblages change.
Biodiversity threats can work in tandem and may escalate problems. For example, habitat loss often results in fragmented habitats scattered over an area. A fragmented habitat can be detrimental to biodiversity because there are more openings allowing invasive and naturally aggressive species to enter and compete with native species. Smaller habitat patches may not be large enough for species requiring large areas and they may disappear. Increased edges in fragmented habitats may also result in unnaturally high predation. Erosion and water contamination could increase from the removal of vegetation that acts as a soil anchor and water filter.
Different
Types of Biodiversity include: |
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| Species Diversity |
The diversity of species in an area of interest. This component of diversity includes the total number of species (species richness) as well as the distribution of individuals among species (species evenness). |
| Taxonomic Diversity |
The distribution of species among different groupings. Taxonomic categories (groupings) include phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. A place with high taxonomic diversity, for example, might include species from many different families. |
| Genetic Diversity |
The variation of individuals within species. Genetic variation is the raw material of evolutionary change. In general, the more individuals in a population and the larger the number of populations, the greater will be the genetic variation. |
| Ecological Diversity |
Ecology is the study of interrelations between organisms and their environment. Ecological diversity includes the diversity of different ecological communities and the complexity of species interactions in an area. |
- The Biodiversity Project
- Biodiversity Centers and Online Biota Databases
- World Resource Institute - Biodiversity and Protected Areas
- Union of Concerned Scientists - Greentips: Environmental Ideas in Action
Biodiversity Topics: Introduction . Plants . Animals . Mammals . Birds . Reptiles & Amphibians . Arthropods . Spiders . Insects
© 2001-2004 The Cofrin Center
for Biodiversity and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay,
All Rights Reserved
Last
updated on
January 12, 2006