Biodiversity in Plants and Animals: Definition, Examples, Importance, Threats

The diversity of organisms that make up our natural world, including animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms, is referred to as biodiversity. In intricate web-like ecosystems, these different species and creatures work together to maintain equilibrium and sustain life. Everything in nature that we require for survival, such as food, clean water, medicines, and shelter, is supported by biodiversity. Biodiversity in Plants and animals are important topics in Biology and they carry a weightage of 2-3% in NEET and 4-5% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

The diversity of Flora and Fauna

The diversity of flora and fauna is under severe threat all across the globe. There is a huge diversity of flora and fauna present on the planet and some of them even may extend before being discovered. According to the WWF 2022 Living Planet report, the population of mammals, fish birds, reptiles and amphibians have declined by 69% since 1970. Some of the major points are discussed below:

• Human activities like fishing, deforestation and water pollution are responsible for climate change and this is one of the major threats to biodiversity.

• The illegal wildlife trade also is one of the major factors for farming the flora and fauna on the commercial level for commercial gain.

• 66% of the ocean ecosystem and 75% of the land environment have undergone significant changes due to the change in biodiversity.

• About 1 million species are currently under threat of extinction according to the recent Global Assessment Report.

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The Importance of Biodiversity in Plants and Animals

Some important events regarding the importance of Biodiversity in Plants and Animals are discussed below in the table.

Biodiversity in Plants

Throughout human history, thousands of plant crop species have been discovered, created, utilised, and depended upon for food and agricultural output. Bushes, grasses, herbs, shrubs, trees, vines, ferns, and mosses are some of these plants. Thousands of plant species have been discovered and used throughout the history of humans for agriculture and food production purposes.

• The plant provides oxygen through photosynthesis and sugar which is essential for human energy.

• Due to the diverse biodiversity of humans, there is human interaction with the ecosystem which has been shaped into plant biodiversity for food, development and survival of the humans.

• Despite the biodiversity of flora and fauna, there is only a small number of crop species present that currently meet the Global food and energy requirements.

• Plant biodiversity helps humans to fight against diseases, climatic changes, drought and other environmental challenges.

Biodiversity in Animals

Like plants, animals have a diverse range of species, and many have been tamed, domesticated, and used for food production, agriculture, and as the primary source of natural capital for the growth of livestock. This is essential for both maintaining rural development and food safety. Its management, however, has been appalling. Some basic points about the biodiversity of Animals are discussed below:

• Animal species are important as they provide natural capital which is essential for lively stock growth and sustainable agriculture practices.

• Wildlife species contribute to ecosystem services like pollination first control and also maintain the balance between the food chains.

• Biodiversity loss is a threat to not only the ecosystem but also to the basic human needs that come from livelihood.

• Genetic diversity within the animal species also helps them to adapt to some severe environments that will change diseases and evolve climate.

Types of Questions Asked from Biodiversity in Plants and Animals

During exam preparation, different types of questions about the Biodiversity of Plants and Animals are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Biodiversity in Plants and Animals

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Biodiversity of Plants and Animals are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Importance of Biodiversity

"CREPE: Conservation, Resilience, Ecosystem Services, Preservation, Economic Value"

• C: Conservation of species and habitats is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

• R: Resilience of ecosystems helps them adapt to environmental changes and recover from disturbances.

• E: Ecosystem services provided by biodiversity include pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil fertility.

• P: Preservation of genetic diversity ensures food security and the availability of resources for future generations.

• E: Economic value derived from biodiversity includes agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and ecotourism.

Threats to Biodiversity

"HIPO: Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Overexploitation"

• H: Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation threatens many species.

• I: Invasive species disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native species for resources.

• P: Pollution from chemicals, plastics, and waste negatively impacts wildlife and habitats.

• O: Overexploitation of species for food, medicine, and other resources leads to population declines.

Conservation Strategies

"PARE: Protected areas, Awareness, Restoration, Education"

• P: Establishing protected areas helps conserve critical habitats and species.

• A: Raising awareness about biodiversity and its importance encourages public support for conservation.

• R: Habitat restoration involves rehabilitating degraded ecosystems to promote biodiversity recovery.

• E: Education initiatives foster understanding and engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystems

"FRIENDS: Food webs, Resilience, Interdependence, Diversity, Ecosystem stability, Nutrient cycling, Services"

• F: Food webs illustrate the complex relationships between species and energy flow in ecosystems.

• R: Biodiversity contributes to resilience, allowing ecosystems to withstand changes and recover.

• I: Interdependence of species highlights the importance of each organism in maintaining balance.

• D: High diversity increases the stability and productivity of ecosystems.

• E: Ecosystem stability is enhanced by diverse species fulfilling different roles.

• N: Nutrient cycling ensures the availability of essential resources for all organisms.

• S: Ecosystem services provided by biodiversity benefit humans and the environment.

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