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1. Conservation of Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
2. Contribution to Global Food ProductionRole of Biodiversity in Food Production:
3. Benefits People Obtain from EcosystemsEcosystem Services:
4. Summary
What is Biodiversity?
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of all living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form.
- Ecosystem Stability: Biodiversity ensures ecosystems remain stable and resilient to changes.
- Resources: Provides materials for food, medicine, and shelter.
- Services: Supports pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
- Habitat destruction due to deforestation, urbanisation, and agriculture.
- Pollution, including air, water, and soil contamination.
- Overexploitation of resources like fishing and hunting.
- Climate change leading to habitat loss and species extinction.
- Protected Areas:
- National parks and wildlife reserves protect habitats and species.
- Sustainable Practices:
- Reduce overfishing, overhunting, and deforestation.
- Restoration Projects:
- Replanting forests and restoring wetlands.
- Education and Awareness:
- Teaching communities about the importance of biodiversity.
2. Contribution to Global Food ProductionRole of Biodiversity in Food Production:
- Pollinators:
- Bees, butterflies, and birds pollinate crops, ensuring food production.
- Soil Health:
- Microorganisms and decomposers recycle nutrients, improving soil fertility.
- Genetic Diversity:
- Wild species provide genetic material for breeding resilient and high-yield crops.
- Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides damages ecosystems.
- Climate change affects crop growth and leads to unpredictable weather patterns.
- Monoculture farming reduces biodiversity and increases vulnerability to pests.
- Crop Rotation:
- Reduces pests and improves soil health.
- Organic Farming:
- Minimises chemical use and protects biodiversity.
- Agroforestry:
- Combines trees and crops to promote ecosystem health.
- Aquaponics:
- Combines fish farming with plant cultivation for efficient resource use.
3. Benefits People Obtain from EcosystemsEcosystem Services:
- Provisioning Services:
- Food, fresh water, timber, and medicinal resources.
- Regulating Services:
- Climate regulation, flood control, and water purification.
- Cultural Services:
- Recreational, spiritual, and aesthetic benefits.
- Supporting Services:
- Nutrient cycling, soil formation, and oxygen production.
- Biodiversity supports industries like agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
- Healthy ecosystems reduce costs for water treatment and disaster recovery.
- Natural environments improve mental health and provide recreational opportunities.
4. Summary
- Conserving biodiversity is crucial for stable ecosystems, food security, and the health of the planet.
- Sustainable agricultural practices enhance global food production while protecting ecosystems.
- Ecosystem services provide essential resources and benefits for human survival and quality of life.
Questions:
Q1: What is biodiversity?
A: Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they form.
Q2: Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?
A: Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability, provides resources for food and medicine, and supports services like pollination and water purification.
Q3: Name three threats to biodiversity.
A: Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Q4: What is a national park, and how does it help conserve biodiversity?
A: A national park is a protected area that preserves natural habitats and species, helping maintain biodiversity.
Q5: How do pollinators contribute to global food production?
A: Pollinators like bees and butterflies help fertilise crops, ensuring fruit and seed production.
Q6: What role do microorganisms play in agriculture?
A: Microorganisms improve soil fertility by recycling nutrients and breaking down organic matter.
Q7: What is monoculture farming, and why is it harmful to biodiversity?
A: Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop, reducing biodiversity and increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Q8: Name two sustainable farming practices.
A: Crop rotation and organic farming.
Q9: What are provisioning services provided by ecosystems?
A: Provisioning services include resources like food, fresh water, timber, and medicinal materials.
Q10: How do ecosystems regulate the climate?
A: Ecosystems regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, controlling temperatures, and preventing extreme weather events.
Q11: What are the cultural benefits of ecosystems?
A: Ecosystems provide recreational opportunities, spiritual value, and aesthetic enjoyment.
Q12: How does reforestation contribute to biodiversity conservation?
A: Reforestation restores habitats, increases tree cover, and supports species dependent on forests.
Q13: What is agroforestry?
A: Agroforestry is a farming practice that combines trees and crops to promote ecosystem health and sustainable agriculture.
Q14: Name one economic benefit of conserving biodiversity.
A: Biodiversity supports industries like agriculture, forestry, and tourism, boosting economic growth.
Q15: Why is educating communities about biodiversity important?
A: Education raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity and encourages sustainable practices to protect ecosystems.
A: Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they form.
Q2: Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems?
A: Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability, provides resources for food and medicine, and supports services like pollination and water purification.
Q3: Name three threats to biodiversity.
A: Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Q4: What is a national park, and how does it help conserve biodiversity?
A: A national park is a protected area that preserves natural habitats and species, helping maintain biodiversity.
Q5: How do pollinators contribute to global food production?
A: Pollinators like bees and butterflies help fertilise crops, ensuring fruit and seed production.
Q6: What role do microorganisms play in agriculture?
A: Microorganisms improve soil fertility by recycling nutrients and breaking down organic matter.
Q7: What is monoculture farming, and why is it harmful to biodiversity?
A: Monoculture farming involves growing a single crop, reducing biodiversity and increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases.
Q8: Name two sustainable farming practices.
A: Crop rotation and organic farming.
Q9: What are provisioning services provided by ecosystems?
A: Provisioning services include resources like food, fresh water, timber, and medicinal materials.
Q10: How do ecosystems regulate the climate?
A: Ecosystems regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, controlling temperatures, and preventing extreme weather events.
Q11: What are the cultural benefits of ecosystems?
A: Ecosystems provide recreational opportunities, spiritual value, and aesthetic enjoyment.
Q12: How does reforestation contribute to biodiversity conservation?
A: Reforestation restores habitats, increases tree cover, and supports species dependent on forests.
Q13: What is agroforestry?
A: Agroforestry is a farming practice that combines trees and crops to promote ecosystem health and sustainable agriculture.
Q14: Name one economic benefit of conserving biodiversity.
A: Biodiversity supports industries like agriculture, forestry, and tourism, boosting economic growth.
Q15: Why is educating communities about biodiversity important?
A: Education raises awareness about the importance of biodiversity and encourages sustainable practices to protect ecosystems.