2. WHAT IS
BIODIVERSITY?
Biodiversity describes the
richness and variety of life
on earth. It is the most
complex and important
feature of our planet.
Without biodiversity, life
would not sustain.
The term biodiversity was
coined in 1985. It is
important in natural as well
as artificial ecosystems. It
deals with nature’s variety,
the biosphere. It refers to
variabilities among plants,
animals and microorganism
species.
Biodiversity includes the
number of different
organisms and their relative
frequencies in an ecosystem.
It also reflects the
organization of organisms at
different levels.
Biodiversity holds
ecological and economic
significance. It provides us
with nourishment, housing,
fuel, clothing and several
other resources. It also
extracts monetary benefits
through tourism. Therefore,
it is very important to have a
good knowledge of
biodiversity for a
sustainable livelihood.
3. THE BIG
THICKET
The BT is an ill-defined
region of southeast Texas
on the coastal plain of the
Gulf of Mexico lying
north of the city of
Beaumont.
Early estimates of its
aboriginal size vary from
10 to 15000km2 . Its
current size is regarded to
be approximately
2100km2.
It receives annual rainfall
of 1341mm, evenly
distributed throughout the
year; average annual
temperature is
approximately 10°C, with
an average of 240
consecutive frost-free
days per year (National
Climate Data Centre
1994).
The BT is home to more than
100 tree and shrub species,
more than 1000 herbaceous
plants—including 26 ferns,
20 orchids and four of five
species of North American
insectivorous plants—and
some 50 kinds of reptiles;
more than 300 species of
birds reside in or migrate
through the area (Parks &
Cory 1932; National Park
Service 2005).
4. THE FLORA AND
FAUNA IN BIG
THICKET
The predominant flora
and fauna of the BT are
characteristic of the
warm, humid North
American forests that
stretch from east Texas to
South Carolina
(Harcombe et al. 1993).
Because such forests have
extensively been logged
and/or converted to other
uses, any representative
remnant is a worthy
candidate for
preservation.
Topographic and edaphic
conditions in the BT have
powerfully influenced the
local segregation of this
rich concentration of
plant species into
distinctive plant
communities—adding
community- and
landscape-level to species
diversity.
The longleaf-pine (Pinus
palustris) plant formation
was once dominant, but is
now among the most
threatened in North
America (Marks &
Harcombe 1981).
5. MORE ABOUT
THE BIG
THICKET
Well drained landforms in the big
thicket have been replaced by more
limited mixed forests made up of
oak hardwoods and loblolly pines.
Southern magnolias and American
Beech predominate on the uplands.
The BT was less attractive to
indigenous agriculturists than the
better-drained and richer soils of
the uplands and river floodplains to
the north . High rainfall, coupled
with poor drainage characteristic of
low, flat terrain resulted in
extensive growth of wetland brush
bogs locally called ‘baygalls’—that
made human travel through the
region difficult.
Thus, the BT remained in a
condition of low human impact
throughout most of the Holocene,
neither inhabited nor often
frequented by American Indians.
6. LAND
EXPLOITATIO
N
Exploitation of the rich timber
resources of the BT began in
earnest during the last quarter of
the nineteenth century; at about
the same time, oil was
discovered in the region,
leading to a drilling boom
(Cozine 2004).
During the first quarter of the
twentieth century, much of the
land was acquired by big timber
companies, and the forests
began to be rapidly reduced,
especially the long-leaf pine.
As early as the 1930s, concerted
efforts to preserve a remnant of
the BT began. Of the aboriginal
BT, only approximately 2–5%
is legally protected—and in
highly fragmented parcels
7. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, biodiversity is not
just a scientific concept; it is the
very foundation of life on Earth.
Our planet's diverse array of
species, ecosystems, and genetic
variability provide us with
essential services such as clean air,
water, and food security. However,
human activities continue to
threaten biodiversity at an alarming
rate, leading to irreversible loss of
species and habitats.
It is imperative that we
recognize the value of
biodiversity and take urgent
action to conserve and
sustainably manage our natural
resources. By protecting
biodiversity, we not only
safeguard the intricate web of
life but also secure our own
future well-being.
Each of us has a role to play,
whether it's through supporting
conservation efforts, making
sustainable lifestyle choices, or
advocating for policy changes.
Together, we can strive to
create a world where
biodiversity thrives, ensuring a
healthy planet for generations
to come.
