Wildlife & Biodiversity - Juniper Publishers
Biodiversity is a complete term for the extent of
nature’s variety or variation within the natural system, both in number
and frequency [1]. It’s often being understood in terms of the wide
variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain
and the ecosystem they form [1]. Today’s biodiversity is the result of
billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and,
increasingly, by the influence of humans [1]. It forms the web of life
of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully dependent.
Biodiversity also includes genetic differences within each species - for
example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock.
Chromosomes, genes, and DNA-the building blocks of life-determine the
uniqueness of each individual and each species [2]. It is necessary to
know Current scenario about wildlife protection and conservation at
national and international level [2]. Habitat conservation is the key
solution to conserve biodiversity [3]. Lot of efforts has been done to
encourage forestation and decrease deforestation and practices has been
done in many areas[3]. Similarly, by discouraging the pet trades, over
shooting as well as hunting by applying different banes, marine
pollution by different laws and regulations, and public awareness are
the main concerns. Conservation of biodiversity is a great challenge in
current scenario [3].
Keywords: Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Natural forests; Wildlife; Ecosystems
Biodiversity is a short form for biological diversity
which refers to the sum total of all the variety and variability of
life in a defined area. The term biodiversity was used to emphasize the
many complex kinds of variations that exist within and among organisms
at different levels of organization. It refers to the totality of genes,
species and ecosystems of a region [4].
Biodiversity is considered at three major levels:
i. Genetic diversity: This is the variety of genetic
information contained in all of the individual plants, animals and
microorganisms occurring within populations of species. Simply it is the
variation of genes within species and populations [4].
ii. Species diversity: This is the variety of species
or the living organisms. It is measured in terms of Species Richness.
This refers to the total count of species in a defined area.
iii. Ecosystem diversity: This relates to the variety
of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes in the
biosphere [4].
Ethical and moral benefits includes every form of
life on earth is unique and warrants respect regardless of its worth to
human beings; this is the ecosystems right of an organism [5]. Every
organism has an inherent right to exist regardless of whether it is
valuable to human beings or not [5]. Planted forest also plays
significant role in biodiversity conservation and also reduce the
pressure on natural forests. Both FRA (Forest Resources Assessments) and
FAOSTAT data shows that if globally planted forests get increased by
2.4% per annum from 2010-2050 it might restore natural forests for
fibers as well as timber [5]. Humankind is part of nature and the
natural world has a value for human heritage [6]. The well-being of all
future generations is a social responsibility of the present
generations, hence the existence of an organism warrants conservation of
the organism [6]. Human beings derive great enjoyment from natural
environment. The shapes, structure and colour stimulate our senses and
enrich our culture [7].A lot of money is paid to conserve wildlife for
their value in nature through so many organizations. The greatest threat
to biodiversity is habitat loss [7]. Variations in Biodiversity occurs
with changes in latitude or altitude. As we shift from the poles to the
equator, the biodiversity increases and vice versa . The latitudinal
gradient in species refers to the increase in species richness or
biodiversity that occurs from the poles to the tropics. Latitudinal
gradient in species is one of the most widely recognized patterns in
ecology. Like latitudinal variation, changes in the biodiversity also
occurs due to altitudinal variation. A decrease in species diversity
occurs when shifted from lower to higher altitudes on a mountain. There
are various benefits of biodiversity [8]. More than 60 wild species have
been used to improve the world’s 13 major crops by providing genes for
pest resistance, improved yield, and enhanced nutrition (IUCN, 2012)
[8]. Fisheries alone account for at least 15% of animal protein directly
consumed by humans. Like in USA (technologically-advanced country) most
of the drugs are provided by medicinal plants and animal’s people use
[9]. More than 70,000 different plant species are used in traditional
and modern medicine [9]. Microbes have given us nearly all of our
antibiotics such as penicillin as well as the cholesterol lowering
strain. Ecosystem services are the processes and conditions of natural
systems that support human activity [10]. The function of the ecosystem
and the services they provide are completely governed by biodiversity
[10]. A major role in mitigating climate change by contributing to long
term sequestration of carbon in a numb is played by biodiversity [11].
Absorption and breakdown of pollutants and waste materials through
decomposition, e.g., in food webs and food chains where the flow of
energy goes through production consumption and decomposition without
which breakdown and absorption of materials will not be complete [12].
In an ecosystem there is no waste as because decomposition will take
place to purify the environment by converting the waste to other forms
of biodiversity [13]. Every form of life on earth is unique and is
respectable regardless of its worth to human beings; this is the
ecosystems for an organism [14]. Whether an organism is valuable to
human beings or not it has an inherent right to exist [14]. Humankind is
part of nature and the natural world has a value for human heritage
[15]. The well-being of all future generations is a social
responsibility of the present generations; hence the existence of an
organism warrants conservation of the organism [16]. Human beings derive
great enjoyment from natural environment [17]. Our senses are being
stimulated by the shapes, structure and colour which enriches our
culture [17]. This illustrates majorly in the popularity of biodiversity
conservation measures and the myriad of the many organizations which
fight for the protection of different organisms [18]. Many organizations
pay to conserve wildlife for their value in nature [18]. Wild species
enhance our appreciation and enjoyment of the environment through
leisure activities, for example bird watching and nature trailing;
Spotting activities for example spot hunting, sport fishing, diving and
mushroom picking; hearing, touching or just seeing wildlife [19]. There
are principle threats to biodiversity, which refers to any process or
event whether natural or human induced that is likely to cause adverse
effects upon the status or sustainable use of any component of
biological diversity [19]. Due to factors such as habitat alteration and
destruction by the land use change, over exploitation of biological
resources, climate change, pollution and invasive species Biodiversity
is declining rapidly [20]. Such natural or human induced factors tend to
interact and amplify each other [20]. The contemporary biodiversity
decline will be leading to subsequent decline in the functioning and
stability of ecosystem. Ecosystem functioning often depends on species
richness, species composition and also on species evenness and genetic
diversity. Stability often depends on species richness and species
composition. Thus, contemporary changes in biodiversity will likely lead
to subsequent changes in ecosystem properties [20].
Biodiversity conservation is all about saving life on
Earth in all its forms and keeping natural ecosystems functioning and
healthy [21]. Biodiversity is the life support system of our planet- we
depend on it for the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we
drink [21]. Medicines originating from wild species, including
penicillin, aspirin, Taxol, and quinine, have saved millions of lives
and alleviated tremendous sufferings [22]. Wetlands filter pollutants
from water, trees and plants reduce global warming by absorbing carbon.
Bacteria and fungi break down organic material and fertilize the soil
[22]. It has been observed that native species richness and the health
of ecosystems are linked, as is the quality of life for humans [22]. The
connections between biodiversity and the sustainable future appear
closer and closer the more we look. We literally need to conserve
biodiversity as our lives depend on it [23]. We should address the
underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity
across government and society , reduce the direct pressures on
biodiversity and promote sustainable use, Improve the status of
biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity ,
Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services,
Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge
management and capacity building [24].
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