Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms that develop in a natural environment. The definition includes all plants , animals , microorganisms , and the genetic material of each of them.
Both the species that inhabit the region and the ecological function that each one fulfills are important , which in some way allows the existence of all the others.
The most important value of biodiversity lies in the fact that it is a process undertaken by a variety of species over a large number of years, the time required to achieve something like biospheric equilibrium.
The survival of species is ensured by the biological system in which they exist, and in this context, humans are merely one species among others: the use and benefit of biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture.
- See also: Habitat and ecological niche
Biological systems
Biological systems tend to have their own dynamics, as species fulfill functions but also become extinct, so a naturally extinct species causes a disturbance in the ecosystem that can be replaced by another species.
However, various human actions tend to modify biological diversity from different angles: changes in climatic conditions, the persecution and overexploitation of species, the destruction and fragmentation of habitats , the introduction of invasive species and intensive agriculture are harmful to some of the Earth’s species.
Importance of biodiversity
When the loss of diversity is caused by human manipulation of natural systems, this recomposition does not occur automatically and the entire ecological system may be jeopardized.
This is why there are ongoing campaigns aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem preservation. To achieve this, a series of actions are recommended:
- Integrate economic development with environmental preservation.
- Related to the latter, abandoning production techniquesthat degrade living resources or the soil.
- Dimension the importance of each component of biological diversity, in addition to the system in general.
- Protecting native forests, both through individual behavior and public policies.
- Map and monitor environments, as well as their flora and faunapopulations .
- Avoid the introduction of exotic species unless they are especially beneficial.
Biodiversity indicators and examples
Various indicators are used to measure biodiversity : the Simpson index is one of the most common. Based on these indicators, a classification has been created containing seventeen so-called megadiverse countries, which together contain more than 70% of the planet’s biodiversity.
Below is the list, including some elements of the biodiversity of each of them:
- United States. The country’s vast expanse is home to 432 species of mammals, 311 reptiles , 256 amphibians , 800 birds , 1,154 fish, and more than 100,000 insects.
- India. Wildlife includes cattle, buffalo, goats, lions, leopards, and Asian elephants. The country has 25 wetlands and endemic species such as the Nilgiri monkey, Beddome’s toad, Bengal tiger, and Asiatic lion.
- Malaysia. There are approximately 210 species of mammals in the country, 620 species of birds, 250 species of reptiles (150 of which are snakes), 600 species of coral, and 1,200 species of fish.
- South Africa. With the third largest biodiversity in the world, it includes 20,000 different types of plants and 10% of the world’s known bird and fish species.
- Mexicohas 37 “wilderness areas” on the planet, with a great diversity of birds and fish (875 species, 580 of which are seabirds and 35 of which are marine mammals ).
- Australia. With 8% of its land area protected, the country’s endemic species include kangaroos and koalas, but also platypuses, possums, and Tasmanian devils. There is a wide variety of trees, most commonly eucalyptus and acacias.
- Colombia. It is the richest country in birdlife, with 1,870 species. It also includes more than 700 species of frogs, 456 species of mammals, and more than 55,000 species of plants (a third of which are found only in that country).
- China. It has more than 30,000 advanced plants and 6,347 vertebrates , representing between 10% of the world’s plants and 14% of the world’s animals.
- Peru. There are approximately 25,000 species, of which 30% are endemic. There are approximately 182 species of domesticated Andean plants.
- Ecuador. There are between 22,000 and 25,000 plant species, with a high rate of endemic species. There are also a large number of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
- Madagascar. It includes 32 species of primates unique in the world, 28 species of bats, 198 species of birds, and 257 species of reptiles.
- Brazilis the country with the greatest biodiversity in the world, with the largest number of mammals and more than 3,000 freshwater fish species, 517 species of amphibians, 3,150 species of butterflies, 1,622 types of birds, and 468 types of reptiles.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo. Large mammals such as elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, and giraffes are prominent.
- Indonesia. The so-called “Paradise Forests” are home to a large number of species, including 500 mammals and 1,600 birds.
- Venezuela. There are approximately 15,500 species of plants, as well as a large number of animals, including 1,200 species of fish.
- Philippines. Characterized by a large number of reptiles and amphibians.
- Papua New Guinea. Approximately 4,642 species of vertebrates live in the rainforests of New Guinea.