Question

Describe the significance of biodiversity in human lives.

Answer 1

Biodiversity refers to combined diversity at all levels of biological organization. It can be studied as genetic diversity, species diversity, community, and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity conservation is very important as it can be a source of food, medicine, drugs, and so on.

Complete answer:
-There are different types of plants, animals, insects in the world. This is very important and their variability is necessary for survival.
-Biodiversity is very important for humans as they provide sources for many resources necessary for the survival of humans.
-Uses of biodiversity are classified into narrowly utilitarian, broadly utilitarian, and ethical benefits.
-Under narrowly utilitarian, biodiversity acts as a source of new crops, new biodegradable pesticides, etc.
-Broadly utilitarian ecosystem services include gaseous exchange, pollination, water purification, nutrient recycling, and so on.
-Ethical benefits include ecotourism, gardening, cultural and religious beliefs, etc.
Additional information:
-Less than 20 species are cultivated to produce about $85\%$ of world food.
-Wheat, corn, and rice are three major carbohydrate crops that yield nearly two by third of food sustaining the human population.
-Botanochemicals are plant chemicals used in the preparation of synthetic products.
-$20\%$ of the total oxygen of the earth’s atmosphere is from Amazon forests. So they are called the lungs of the planet.
-Biodiversity conservation is of great relevance as species extinction is taking place at a rapid rate due to human activities.
-It can be in situ as well as ex-situ conservation.
-In situ conservation is carried out through biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected areas.

Note:
Indian share of global species diversity is about $8.1\%$. Maximum endemic amphibian species are found in western ghats. According to the IUCN red list, 784 species were extinct in the last 500 years. The year 2010 is declared as Biodiversity Conservation Year by UNO. 22nd May is world biodiversity day.