How biodiversity helps human species

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How biodiversity helps human species

Posted On : May-18-2011 | seen (508) times | Article Word Count : 520 |

The degree in variation of various life forms is known as Biodiversity. This could be in a given planet, biome, or an ecosystem. You can also call it as a measurement of health of our ecosystems. Better and greater biodiversity indicates good health. Biodiversity plays an important part in climatic functions. Terrestrial habitats and tropical regions are very rich unlike the polar regions which support only a few species.

Since the time humans emerged, biodiversity has shown reduction. Along with this there has also been a loss of genetic diversity. This has been named as the Holocene extinction because it is mainly caused by humans, especially destruction of habitat. The impact of biodiversity on human health is now an international issue.

Biodiversity conservation is also called as conservation biology and it is a priority issue for many countries. Conservation strategies comprise local, regional as well as global concerns and the plans include methods that can sustain human well-being. The most useful technique is to preserve our habitat. Exotic species should be removed only if they have become a pest, which can be identified by taxonomy. Native species should be preserved and missing species should be introduced. Biodiversity conservation is also done through gene banks. Here, specimens and genetic material are collected and banked. These are introduced into the habitat whenever necessary, via nurseries.

Studies on the climatic effects on terrestrial species show consistent and alarming response to warming. This is visible from the early onset of spring, migrations etc. Biodiversity in ecosystems can be seen in large areas like the Mojave Desert or even in a small area like a pond. The important thing to remember is that a balance is maintained, among its supporters like water, air, food, fire, animals (predator and prey) etc. Climatic changes have the power to alter the biodiversity in our ecosystem. Many high altitude regions on earth have seen the affects of climatic changes. These changes can lead to either a beneficial or an adverse effect on the species. For example, while a climate change can be useful to a plant or insect species, the same can be detrimental to humans.

A Biodiversity hotspot is a region which has a great reservoir of biodiversity and which is in danger from humans. To be called a biodiversity hotspot, the region must have lost atleast seventy percent of primary vegetation and have 1500 (or 0.5%) species of endemic vascular plants. There are about 25 regions in the world that come under the hotspot definition, with nine more being possible ones. The World Wildlife Fund has a program called “Global 200 Ecoregions”. This is for the conservation comprising 14 terrestrial, 4 marine habitats and 3 freshwater areas. The regions are chosen considering their unusual ecological phenomena, global rarity, richness of species and other factors. Birdlife International, Plantlife International, Alliance for Zero Extinction, the National Geographic Society etc are some other organizations which are into biodiversity conservation.

For more information visit us @ biodiversityconservationsource.com

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<h1>How biodiversity helps human species</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_David Richard.aspx'>David Richard</a> The degree in variation of various life forms is known as Biodiversity. This could be in a given planet, biome, or an ecosystem. You can also call it as a measurement of health of our ecosystems. Better and greater biodiversity indicates good health. Biodiversity plays an important part in climatic functions. Terrestrial habitats and tropical regions are very rich unlike the polar regions which support only a few species.

Since the time humans emerged, biodiversity has shown reduction.  Along with this there has also been a loss of genetic diversity. This has been named as the Holocene extinction because it is mainly caused by humans, especially destruction of habitat.  The impact of biodiversity on human health is now an international issue.

Biodiversity conservation is also called as conservation biology and it is a priority issue for many countries.  Conservation strategies comprise local, regional as well as global concerns and the plans include methods that can sustain human well-being.  The most useful technique is to preserve our habitat.  Exotic species should be removed only if they have become a pest, which can be identified by taxonomy.  Native species should be preserved and missing species should be introduced.  Biodiversity conservation is also done through gene banks. Here, specimens and genetic material are collected and banked.  These are introduced into the habitat whenever necessary, via nurseries.

Studies on the climatic effects on terrestrial species show consistent and alarming response to warming.  This is visible from the early onset of spring, migrations etc. Biodiversity in ecosystems can be seen in large areas like the Mojave Desert or even in a small area like a pond.  The important thing to remember is that a balance is maintained, among its supporters like water, air, food, fire, animals (predator and prey) etc. Climatic changes have the power to alter the biodiversity in our ecosystem. Many high altitude regions on earth have seen the affects of climatic changes.  These changes can lead to either a beneficial or an adverse effect on the species.  For example, while a climate change can be useful to a plant or insect species, the same can be detrimental to humans.

A Biodiversity hotspot is a region which has a great reservoir of biodiversity and which is in danger from humans.  To be called a biodiversity hotspot, the region must have lost atleast seventy percent of primary vegetation and have 1500 (or 0.5%) species of endemic vascular plants.  There are about 25 regions in the world that come under the hotspot definition, with nine more being possible ones.  The World Wildlife Fund has a program called “Global 200 Ecoregions”.  This is for the conservation comprising 14 terrestrial, 4 marine habitats and 3 freshwater areas. The regions are chosen considering their unusual ecological phenomena, global rarity, richness of species and other factors.  Birdlife International, Plantlife International, Alliance for Zero Extinction, the National Geographic Society etc are some other organizations which are into biodiversity conservation.

For more information visit us @ http://www.biodiversityconservationsource.com
About the Author: David Richardson is an author of this article who writes about the functions of Biodiversity and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.biodiversityconservationsource.com/conservation-values/">Biodiversity conservation</a>. He has also emphasizes that to preserve the quality of life everybody should protect the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.biodiversityconservationsource.com/biodiversity-in-ecosystems/">Biodiversity in Ecosystems</a>. Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_How-biodiversity-helps-human-species_62388.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_How biodiversity helps human species_62388.aspx</a>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_How biodiversity helps human species_62388.aspx

Author Resource :
David Richardson is an author of this article who writes about the functions of Biodiversity and Biodiversity conservation. He has also emphasizes that to preserve the quality of life everybody should protect the Biodiversity in Ecosystems.

Keywords : Biodiversity, Biodiversity Conservation, Biodiversity in Ecosystems,

Category : Recreation and Sports : Recreation and Sports

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