Vital Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystems and Human Life

What is Biodiversity, and Why is it Important?

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, along with the ecosystems they create. This diversity is essential for maintaining ecosystem services that support human life, such as food production, clean water, climate regulation, and cultural benefits.

How Does Biodiversity Affect Food Security?

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in food security by ensuring vital processes such as pollination, soil fertility, pest control, and genetic diversity in crops. In India, various examples illustrate this:

• Pollinators like bees: They are essential for the pollination of crops such as mustard and apples.
• Traditional rice varieties: Varieties like Odisha’s flood-tolerant “Kalinga” rice are resilient to extreme weather conditions like floods and droughts.

How Does Biodiversity Support Livelihoods?

Globally, over 200 million people rely on fisheries for their livelihoods, including many coastal communities in India. For instance, the mangroves in the Sundarbans not only serve as a habitat for various fish species but also offer protection against cyclones, thereby supporting both biodiversity and local livelihoods.

What is the Impact of Biodiversity Loss on Ecosystems?

The loss of biodiversity can lead to significant imbalances within ecosystems. For example:

• Decline of vultures in India: The decrease in vulture populations has resulted in an increase in cattle carcasses, which in turn has led to a rise in stray dog populations and rabies outbreaks.
• Deforestation in the Western Ghats: This has caused water shortages and habitat loss for numerous endemic species.

How Does Biodiversity Affect Climate Resilience?

• Forests like the Himalayas: They play a critical role in carbon absorption and rainfall regulation, helping to mitigate climate change impacts.
• Wetlands like Chilika Lake: These ecosystems function as natural flood barriers, offering protection against extreme weather events.

How Does Biodiversity Benefit Human Well-Being?

There is a strong connection between biodiversity and human health. For example, engaging in activities like forest bathing—spending time in nature—has been shown to reduce stress levels. Additionally, herbal medicines derived from biodiversity-rich regions, such as the Western Ghats, contribute significantly to healthcare in India.

What are the Major Threats to Biodiversity in India?

• Deforestation: Driven by agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures pose threats to species, particularly in sensitive regions like the Himalayas.
• Pollution: Rivers such as the Ganga are severely impacted due to industrial waste.
• Overhunting and Poaching: This affects endangered species like the Bengal tiger and Indian pangolin.

What Can Be Done to Protect Biodiversity?

• Promoting Afforestation: Initiatives like the “Green India Mission” aim to restore forest cover.
• Strengthening Wildlife Conservation: Protecting natural habitats through National Parks and Sanctuaries, such as the Kaziranga and Gir forests.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Encouraging organic farming and the cultivation of traditional crop varieties.
• Public Awareness: Involving local communities in programs like the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme to foster conservation efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they create and inhabit.

Q2. How does biodiversity contribute to food security?
Answer: Biodiversity supports food security by ensuring important processes like pollination, soil fertility, and pest control, which are essential for sustainable agricultural practices and crop resilience.

Q3. What are the main threats to biodiversity in India?
Answer: Key threats to biodiversity in India include deforestation, climate change, pollution from industrial waste, and overhunting of endangered species.

Q4. How can individuals help protect biodiversity?
Answer: Individuals can help protect biodiversity by participating in afforestation projects, supporting sustainable agriculture, and raising awareness about conservation efforts in their communities.

Q5. Why is biodiversity important for climate resilience?
Answer: Biodiversity enhances climate resilience by maintaining ecosystem functions, such as carbon sequestration and flood regulation, which are vital in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the main benefit of biodiversity to ecosystems?
A) Increased pollution levels
B) Enhanced ecosystem services
C) Urban development
D) Overfishing
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity in India?
A) Afforestation
B) Sustainable farming
C) Deforestation
D) Wildlife conservation
Correct Answer: C