Why is it necessary to conserve the genetic diversity of species? Do protected areas serve any useful purpose in this context?
(UPSC geography optional paper 1 2019, 20 Marks)
Answer:
Simply meaning of Biodiversity is a variety of life forms.
There is three-level of Biodiversity:- Ecological Diversity
- Species diversity
- Genetic Diversity of Species
Ecological Diversity:
Ecological diversity of particular areas means a variety of ecosystems such as grassland, forest, desert, ponds, river, ocean, wetlands, etc exist.
For example,
- India is rich in ecological diversity because it has nearly all types of the ecosystem from rainforest to desert to polar types ecosystem.
Species diversity:
A species is a basic unit of lifeform. Different species of animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi are present in particular areas is called species diversity.
For example,
- Variety of Plant species
- Variety of Animal species
- Variety of bacteria, fungi, species.
- Areas of Rainforest are comprised of nearly 6 % of world land but having more than 50 % of total world species in the tropical rainforest.
Genetic diversity of species:
Genetic variation within species is called genetic diversity. Genetic variation leads to changes in physical appearance.
For examples,
For examples,
- There are thousands of rice varieties (genetically differ but same species) in India.
- There are many varieties of rose such as red rose, white rose, yellow rose, etc.
- There is much genetic diversity of the human population but species remained the same that is Homosapien.
Each species has a unique genetic architecture that is evolved from a million years and it passes through generation with some modification with time and space.
The following are the importance of species diversity:
There is two way to conserve the biodiversity of species:
- Genetic diversity plays an important role in the recovery of endangered species.
- For example, at present India Vulture population, is about 3 % off from 20 years ago, the Indian government is now planning to increase the vulture population up to 30 to 40 % from 20 years ago by captive breeding through the use of gene.
- Lack of genetic diversity of Tiger, Lion, and other animals, resulting in the threat of sustainability.
- Genetic diversity in humans and other life forms can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Greater the genetic diversity greater the immune response and stronger in the barrier to spread the disease.
- For example, Indian subcontinents are more genetically diverse as compare to western countries and the recovery rate against COVID-19 in Indian continents is more compare to western countries.
- Genetic diversity of Crops and livestock can improve crop variety and livestock breeding and that will help in to achieve nutritional security. That will help to achieve UN sustainable development Goal 2 that is Zero hunger and Aichi biodiversity target.
- Genetic diversity of crops also helps in the effective utilization of nutrition from the soil and would be more adaptive in climate change.
- Many species not only provides food but also help to conserve and clean the environment.
- Species diversity is a source of many medicine and herbs that prevent the disease outbreak.
There is two way to conserve the biodiversity of species:
- Ex-situ Conservation
- Insitu Conservation
Ex-situ conservation via botanical garden using high technology and artificial fertilization method and conserve the biodiversity of species. However, in the long run, ex-situ conservation methods are not as effective as they do not fully represent the actual natural environment.
Insitu or Protected areas such as Biosphere, national park, and wildlife sanctuary are important for conservative of biodiversity species in the following ways:
- Man-made fire, bush fire, hunting, land fragmentation are major problems in the conservation of species. The protected area provides habitat for many species and saves from habitat fragmentation.
- It protects from hunting for endangered species.
- It saves from anthropogenic pressure towards species.
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