The number of species of living organisms and plants available in any natural region is called bio – diversity. The term bio – diversity was first used by American entomologist E.O. Wilson in the year 1986.
Format of bio – diversity: On Earth, countless organisms are found. Based on the variations found in these organisms,
The following formats of bio – diversity are seen:
1. Genetic diversity.
2. Ethnic diversity.
3. Ecological diversity.
All these forms of bio – diversity are described as follows:
1. Genetic diversity: The properties of each organism are determined by genes at the genetic level. Presence of different forms of the same genes in any species of organisms is called genetic diversity. A species will be able to adapt itself to environmental changes if sufficient genetic diversity is present. On the contrary, if the genetic diversity is less, than species will be prone to extinction, because such species will fail to adapt itself to the environmental changes. Various species are born by genetic diversity in plants and animals.
2. Ethnic diversity: The description of the number of organisms of different species available in an ecosystem is called ethnic diversity.
3. Ecological diversity: The complexity of bio – diversity available in an ecosystem is called ecological diversity. Ecological diversity involves the processes of circulating energy from one nutritional level to another nutritional level, synchronized food traps and mineral substances. Diverse bio – diversity is found in the saline aquatic system of the sea as well as different aquatic systems. In saline water, large animals like whales, sharks are found, while there are no such creatures in the non – saline water. Similarly, there are different types of plants and wild animals found in forests, grasslands and deserts.
