1) What is species biodiversity? Discuss at least one reason why you think species diversity is important. What would happen if there were no species diversity?

2)      what is ecosystem diversity? Discuss at least one reason why you think ecosystem diversity is important. What would happen if there were no ecosystem diversity?

3)    what is genetic diversity? Discuss why genetic diversity is important. What would happen if there were no genetic diversity?

4)      Brainstorm and discuss two ways you can actively (directly) support biodiversity, as described above, in your neighborhood.

Introduction

A general definition of biodiversity is simply the number of species in a region or on Earth; for example, in North and Central America, the American Ornithologists' Union lists 2078 species of birds. This is one indicator of the continental biodiversity of birds. Relative abundances of organisms are taken into account by more sophisticated tests of diversity.

Species diversity

Species diversity is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species that live in a particular location. For instance, a forest with 50 similarly common species of trees is more diverse than a forest with 50 species of trees in which 95% of the trees are made up of only one of those species, rather than being equally distributed. Alternate biodiversity interventions, some of which are critical in preparing how to conserve biodiversity, have also been described by biologists.

There are two constituents of species diversity which include:

Species richness referring to the number of different species present in an ecosystem. The species diversity varies in a different geographical location with tropics having highest and declines as we move towards poles. For example, the most species-rich environments are tropical rainforests, coral reefs and ocean bottom zone have large species richness because the environment is more conducive for a large number of species.

Species evenness is another constituent of species diversity and it refers to the relative abundance of individuals of each of those species. For example, if the number of individuals within a species is fairly constant across communities, it is said to have a high evenness and if the number of individuals varies from one species to another, therefore, is said to have low evenness. High evenness leads to greater diversity in species.

Importance of Species Diversity

Species diversity is important in many ways. greater species richness and productivity makes an ecosystem more stable and sustainable. For example, a more ecosystem with species richness of producers will produce large biomass to support a large variety of consumer species. Pollinators, symbiotic relationships, decomposers, each species perform a unique role, which is irreplaceable.

An ecosystem with species richness and evenness is able to withstand environmental stresses and catastrophes like drought, invasive infestations and natural fires. Healthy biodiversity has many importance such as nutrients storage and recycling, soil formation and protection as well as absorption of harmful gases such as carbon(iv) oxide that has potential of causing greenhouse gas effects. Through this process therefore the climatic stability is ensured.

Humans get lots of products from those natural species. Some of the products are fruits, meat, fibre, medicinal services, wood and many more.

Consequences of lack of species diversity

There are numerous reasons why species diversity is essential. Each species has a role in the ecosystem. Bees are the primary pollinators, for instance. For one the danger would be immense if bees were extinct. Next may be fruits and vegetables, and subsequently the animals that eat from them - this chain interacts with humans all the way. In addition to supplying us with food, various plants also contribute to clean water, breathable air, fertile soils, climate stability, pollution absorption, construction materials for our homes, disease epidemic prevention, medical services, and more.

Ecosystem diversity

An ecosystem is the basic unit of the field composed of biotic components( set of living organisms such as animals, plants and micro-organisms) and abiotic components( particular physical environment with specific physical characteristics such as climate, concentration of nutrients, humidity and more) that constantly interact with each other.

Ecosystem diversity is the number of different ecosystems on earth or in a geographical area and examples are categorized into terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems(marine ecosystems are offshore systems like the ocean surface, the deep sea, pelagic oceans or the seafloor. But there are also nearshore systems like coral reefs, mangroves or seagrass meadows) . Ecosystems are the life supporting basics where many species of both non-living and living things interact together to sustain each other. When this natural interactive mechanism is interfered with by anthropological activities, the ecosystems are lost. The loss of an ecosystem means the loss of the interactions between species, the loss of unique features of coadaptation, and the loss of biological productivity that an ecosystem is able to create.

Importance of Ecosystem Diversity

Interaction between the different organisms that make up the ecosystem contribute to natural stability. In the terrestrial type of ecosystem such as grassland ecosystem, herbivores consume grass, but also feed the soil with their droppings which allows the grass to grow back hence creating some sort of balance. Ecosystems provide many products to human being that enhance social, economic and health wellness.

For example, the agriculture that provides our food depends on the characteristics of a specific ecosystem. Cereals or vegetables grow only under certain conditions of temperature and humidity. They also need certain natural processes, such as pollination, to take place.For example, the provision of healthy food and clean water, the control of disease and climate, the encouragement of crop pollination and soil development, and the provision of recreational, cultural and spiritual benefits make human life possible. Planet habitats such as woodland ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, marine ecosystems or agroecosystems need to operate well in order for all this to be possible. But the fact is that at present, certain ecosystem resources are under pressure.

Consequences of lack of Ecosystem diversity

The collapses may be so serious that they threaten human extinction. This is demonstrated by the present honey bee colony collapse scenario. Humans will struggle - and even try - to cultivate several essential crops without honey bees. We will find ourselves realizing the hard way how important it is to our society and indeed our own life when more biodiversity is lost.

Genetic diversity

Genetic diversity functions as a means of adapting societies to changing conditions. For more variety, certain people in a group are more likely to have combinations of alleles that are ideal for the environment. In order to produce offspring carrying the allele, certain persons are more likely to survive.

In a population, genetic diversity is derived from a large range of genes and alleles. The survival of societies through evolving ecosystems over time depends on their ability to respond to external circumstances that evolve. The addition of a new allele to a population often makes it more capable of survival; or sometimes makes it less capable. The addition of a new allele to a species has little effect at all at other moments, but the new allele would have little effect.

Nucleotides (although not necessarily entire genes) are shuffled and recombined in the course of inheritance to form new combinations that are distinct from ancestors. Each organism is a special combination of his parents' alleles.

Importance of Genetic diversity

Naturally occurring genetic changes between individuals of the same species are characterized through genetic diversity. In the face of shifting environmental conditions, this variety allows for a population's resilience and longevity. Consequently, genetic diversity, since it is a form of planning for the unpredictable, is also considered an advantage.

Genetic diversity is significant because by including alleles that can be useful in resisting pathogens, pests and other stresses, it helps sustain the health of a population. Maintaining diversity provides a protection against transition for the community, allowing the ability to adapt. A population that has a greater diversity in alleles would be more able to evolve to respond to the changing world if the environment evolves. Diversity may also mean that in severe conditions (e.g. drought, disease) an organism can have the ability to flourish.

Consequences of lack of genetic diversity

Genetic variation is the raw material of evolution. Without genetic variation, a population cannot evolve in response to changing environmental variables and, as a result, may face an increased risk of extinction. For example, if a population is exposed to a new disease, selection will act on genes for resistance to the disease if they exist in the population. But if they do not exist the population will not evolve and could be wiped out by the disease.

Ways to actively support biodiversity in our neighborhoods.

We are part of nature, so we rely on what it provides us with such as food, drink, medication, and supplies. We need to preserve and promote the lives and ecosystems in which life rests, not only for our own survival and the survival of our offspring, but also to give back what we and centuries before us have taken away.

Proper disposal of waste- all sorts of waste may affect an ecosystem and the species living in them, in different ways. Untreated sewerage if directed towards rivers and streams, eventually end up ruining the life of water organisms.

Controlled farming methods- in many cases chemical fertilizers are used by farmers to increase food production. Though this is good when used properly, it may finally result in adverse consequences. These chemicals infiltrate into the soil and get carried away by surface runoff hence polluting water downstream used for animals as well as human consumption.

Planting more trees- trees act as micro-climate enhancers. They play important role in hydrological cycles and also act as carbon sinks hence controlling climate change. Trees also control soil erosion by providing strong roots anchorage. Birds and animals like monkeys depend on trees as their primary habitats.