The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize this as being integral to any approach to preserving biodiversity. Almost all cultures have their roots in our biological diversity in some way or form. Declining biodiversity is therefore a concern for many reasons. Back to top Why is Biodiversity Important? Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity in wildlife. Back to top A healthy biodiversity offers many natural services Ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest are rich in diversity. Deforestation threatens many species such as the giant leaf frog, shown here. (Images source: Wikipedia) A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone: Ecosystem services, such as Protection of water resources Soils formation and protection Nutrient storage and recycling Pollution breakdown and absorption Contribution to climate stability Maintenance of ecosystems Recovery from unpredictable events Biological resources, such as Food Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs Wood products Ornamental plants Breeding stocks, population reservoirs Future resources Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems Social benefits, such as Research, education and monitoring Recreation and tourism Cultural values That is quite a lot of services we get for free! The cost of replacing these (if possible) would be extremely expensive. It therefore makes economic and development sense to move towards sustainability. A report from Nature magazine also explains that genetic diversity helps to prevent the chances of extinction in the wild (and claims to have shown proof of this). To prevent the well known and well documented problems of genetic defects caused by in-breeding, species need a variety of genes to ensure successful survival. Without this, the chances of extinction increases. And as we start destroying, reducing and isolating habitats, the chances for interaction from species with a large gene pool decreases.

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2. Introduction
The term Biodiversity was first coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986.
The biosphere comprises of a complex collections of innumerable organisms,
known as the biodiversity, which constitute the vital life support for survival of
human race.
Biological diversity, abbreviated as biodiversity, represent the sum total of
various life forms such as unicellular fungi, protozoa, bacteria and multi
cellular organisms such as plants, fishes and mammals at various biological
levels including gens, habitats and ecosystem.
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3. Concept of Biodiversity & it’s types
Biodiversity is the variety of life on the earth.
For any kind of animal or plant – each individual is not exactly
the same as any other; nor are species or ecosystems.
Biodiversity is generally described at three levels: Genetic
diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
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4. Types of Biodiversity
• There are three types of biodiversity
Genetic Biodiversity
Species Biodiversity
Ecosystem Biodiversity
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5. Genetic Biodiversity
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6. Species Biodiversity
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7. Ecosystem Biodiversity
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8. Ecosystem or Habitat Biodiversity
• Ecosystem is the structural and the functional unit for the
biosphere.
• Ecosystem diversity is defined as, “The aggregation of
various habitats, community types and abiotic environment in
a given area”.
• Bangladesh has one of the biggest ecosystem diversity,
ranging from the deserts, plains, hills, mangroves and
rainforests.
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9. Distribution of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is not only evenly distributed, rather it
varies greatly across the globe as well as within
regions.
• Terrestrial biodiversity is thought to be up to 25 times
greater than ocean biodiversity.
• The study of the spatial distribution of organisms,
species and ecosystem is the science of biogeography.
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11. Threats to Biodiversity
 Habitat Destruction – Important to protect habitat in order to protect biodiversity
within it. Huge pressure from the worlds rapidly increasing population.
 Global climate change – Change in abiotic elements of ecosystem leading to biotic
change.
 Population – Introduction of pollutants such as nutrient overloading with nitrate
fertilizer as well as more immediately harmful chemicals.
 Disease – Reduction in habitat causing high population densities, encourages
spread of diseases.
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14. Habitat Loss
Habitat loss can be described when an animal loses their home. Every
animal in the animal kingdom has niche, a their in their animal
community and without their habitat they no longer have a niche.
Reason of habitat loss by human
 Agriculture, farming
 Harvesting natural resources for personal use
 For industrial and urbanization development
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15. Example:
The impact upon china’s panda, ones found across the nation . Now
it’s only found in fragmented and isolated regions in the south west
country as a result of wide spread deforestation in the 20th century .
There are natural causes too…
Habitat destruction through natural processes such as volcanism , fire
and climate change is well documented in the fossil record . One study
shows that fragmentation of tropical to a great loss of amphibian
diversity.
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17. Solution for this
• Protecting remaining intact section of natural habitat
• Reduce human population and expansion of urbanization and
industries.
• Educating the public about the importance of natural habitat
and bio diversity
• Solution to habitat loss can include planting trees, planting
home gardens so as to reduce need for man to need large
lands for agricultural farms which lead to habitat loss.
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18. Poaching
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19. Poaching –
• Poaching is the hunting and harvesting taking of wild plants or animals
such as through hunting, harvesting, fishing, or trapping.
History of poaching –
• Millions of years ago, in the stone age.
• Followed through the ages, to even the tribal natives.
• But it was during the late middle ages that poaching became a
punishable offense.
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20. Conservation of Biodiversity
• Restoration of Biodiversity
• Imparting Environmental education
• Enacting, strengthening and enforcing environmental
legislation
• Population control
• Reviewing the agriculture practice
• Controlling Urbanization
• Conservation through Biotechnology.
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21. Conclusion
• Biodiversity is a concept that has no general definition.
Usually it is used in a context that stresses the need for
attention on our living environment and the sustainable use of
natural resources.
• Biodiversity can be divided in different types such as habitat,
species and genetic diversity.
• The integrated approach used in coastal zone management is
an adequate method in dealing with the matter of biodiversity.
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22. Thank You
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