In the name of Allah the most beneficial the most merciful.

Hello Steemians 💕 how are you all, hopefully you are all fine. I am also fine by the grace of Allah. Welcome to another episode of Basic Knowledge In Agriculture contest. First of all we understand the term of Biodiversity and then Biodiversity Conservation.

1. What is Biodiversity?

The term "Biodiversity" was coined by "Walter G. Rosen in 1986".
It is the combination of two words - "Bio = Life" and "Diversity = Variety".

It means the variety and variability of all living organisms - plants, animals, microorganisms - and the ecological complexes in which they occur.

Biodiversity is considered at 3 levels:

a) Genetic Diversity:

Variation of genes within a single species.
For example: There are more than 50,000 varieties of rice and 1,000 varieties of mango in India alone. This is genetic diversity.
It helps in developing disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties.

b) Species Diversity:

Variety of species in a particular region.
For example: Western Ghats have more species diversity than the Thar Desert.
It is measured by species richness and species evenness.

c) Ecosystem Diversity:

Variety of ecosystems - forests, deserts, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, oceans.
For example: India has Himalayan ecosystem, desert ecosystem, coastal ecosystem, rainforest ecosystem - so India has very high ecosystem diversity.

2. What is Biodiversity Conservation?

Biodiversity Conservation is defined as:

The protection, preservation, management and restoration of biodiversity, natural habitats, and ecosystems to prevent extinction, maintain ecological balance, and ensure sustainable use for present and future generations.

Main Objectives:

1. To preserve the continuity of species
2. To maintain the ecological balance
3. To preserve genetic resources for future improvement
4. To provide sustainable utilization of biological resources

#:3. Why is Conservation Needed? - Threats to Biodiversity

1. Habitat Destruction:

Deforestation, urbanization

1. Over-exploitation:

Over-hunting, over-fishing

1. Climate Change:

Global warming, sea level rise

1. Pollution:

Air, water, soil pollution kills species

1. Introduction of Exotic Species:

Foreign species destroy native species

Due to these, species are disappearing at 100-1000 times faster than natural rate. This is called the "6th Mass Extinction".

4. Methods of Biodiversity Conservation

There are two major methods:

A) IN-SITU CONSERVATION - Conservation in Natural Habitat:

Conserving species where they naturally live. This is the best and most effective method.

"National Parks:

Highly protected area, no human activity allowed. Ex: Jim Corbett National Park, Gir National Park.

Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Some human activity allowed. Ex: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

Biosphere Reserves:

Large area protecting whole ecosystem. Ex: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Sundarbans.

Biodiversity Hotspots:

Areas with very high and unique biodiversity. World has 36 hotspots, 4 are in India - Western Ghats, Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundaland.

Sacred Groves:

Forests protected by local communities due to religious beliefs.

Advantages:

Species can evolve naturally, whole ecosystem is protected.

B) EX-SITU CONSERVATION - Conservation outside Natural Habitat

Conserving species by removing them from threatened habitat and placing them in a new location.

Botanical Gardens & Zoological Parks (Zoos)

Gene Banks / Seed Banks:

Seeds are stored at low temperature. Ex: National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway:

World's largest seed vault storing seeds from all over the world.

Cryopreservation:

Preserving gametes, embryos at -196°C in liquid nitrogen.
Tissue Culture:

Growing plants from cells in laboratory.

Advantages:

Provides safety from natural disasters, useful for research and breeding programs.

5. Legal and Global Efforts

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature):
Publishes Red Data Book listing endangered species.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - 1992 Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro.

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India.

Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992) in India.

Conclusion

Biodiversity is our life support system. It provides us oxygen, food, water, medicines, and regulates climate. Without biodiversity, human life is impossible.
Conservation is not just about saving animals and plants, it is about saving ourselves.

"If we save biodiversity, biodiversity will save us."

This is my today's wonderful blog hopefully you like it .

Invitation friends 💕

I want to invite some of my friends 💕 @ sadaf02,@meehu,@green015,@lirvic.

With Best Wishes 💕

Allah Hafiz 🌞
@fatima9