Previous Year Question

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, their species, and Ecosystems found within a particular geographical region. It includes Plants, Animals, Fungi, Microorganisms, and other living organisms. The presence of different species, their abundance, and their interactions within a region represent its biodiversity. Biodiversity is not limited to the number of plants and animals, but also encompasses genetic variations among organisms and the diversity of their natural habitats.

Biodiversity is mainly studied at three levels—Genetic Diversity, Species Diversity, and Ecosystem Diversity. Genetic Diversity refers to variations in genes among individuals or populations of the same species, such as different varieties of rice. Species Diversity concerns the presence of different species within an area and their relative abundance. Ecosystem Diversity represents the variety of natural habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, and marine ecosystems.

In Biodiversity Assessment, Species Richness and Species Evenness are important indicators. Species Richness refers to the number of different species present in a particular region, whereas Species Evenness describes the relative uniformity in the abundance of individuals among those species. For example, Tropical Rainforests generally contain greater species diversity than temperate regions. Areas such as India's Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas are renowned for their rich biodiversity and numerous Endemic Species.

Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining Ecological Balance, Pollination, Nutrient Cycling, Soil Formation, water purification, and Climate Regulation. For biodiversity conservation, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves are established under In-situ Conservation, while Ex-situ Conservation includes Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks, and Seed Banks. In India, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 provides a legal framework for biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.