What is Biodiversity all about?

What is Biodiversity (BD)? Biological Diversity or Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources including, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. It encompasses the variety of all forms of life on earth, which provides the building blocks for human existence and our ability to adapt to environmental changes in the future. Biological diversity involves genetic, species and ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity denotes the variation within species in the functional units of heredity present in any plant or animal, microbial or other origin of living things. Species diversity encompasses the variety of species - whether wild or domesticated, within a geographical area. Estimates of the total number of species (defined as a population of organisms which are able to interbreed freely under natural conditions) range from 5 million to 100 million globally; though less than 1.7 million have actually been described. In terms of species number alone, life on earth would appear to consist essentially of insects and microorganisms. Species diversity remains central to the evaluation of diversity at other levels, and is a constant point of reference in biodiversity conservation. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of life forms in a given territory or area and the ecological processes that make them function. Ecosystem diversity is often evaluated through measures of the diversity of the component species, the relative abundance of different species as well as consideration of the types of species. Biodiversity is critical to the maintenance of a healthy environment. Its role in meeting human needs directly while maintaining the ecological process upon which our survival depends is enormous. Biodiversity not only provides direct benefits such as food, medicines, and energy; it also affords us a “life support system.” Biodiversity is required for the recycling of essential elements, such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. It is also responsible for mitigating pollution, protecting watersheds, and combating soil erosion. Because biodiversity acts as a buffer against excessive variations in weather and climate, it protects us from catastrophic events beyond human control. In a fundamental sense, experiencing and increasing our knowledge about biodiversity transforms our values and beliefs. Knowledge about biodiversity is valuable in stimulating technological innovation and providing the framework for sustainable development. The immense economic value of biodiversity is well established. Many people visit forests, beaches, mountains, grasslands, lakes, ponds, estuaries and streams for extended vacations or short periods of relaxation. Around the world, the number of eco-tourists, people travelling to enjoy nature and various cultures, is increasing. All of these bring in large amounts of money each year. For example, medicine from wild products generates some $40 billion each year while nature tourism generates some $12 billion worldwide in annual revenues. Exports of agricultural products represent a very high proportion of foreign exchange earnings in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Examples include cotton, livestock, gum Arabic, and groundnuts in Chad; coffee, cotton, tea, and sisal in Tanzania: shrimp, cashew nuts, cotton, sugar, copra, and citrus in Mozambique; and cocoa, coffee, timber, bananas, and cotton in Côte d’Ivoire. Besides, before the discovery of petroleum in Nigeria, the national economy was largely dependent on three agricultural crops, namely: cocoa, oil palm and groundnuts. In addition, modern crop and animal improvement practices depend on genetic stock from natural ecological systems. Breeders and farmers rely on the genetic diversity of crops and livestock to increase yields and to respond to changes in environmental conditions. For example, genetic material for the improvement of the world’s major food crops, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, are sourced from the wild. However, despite the importance of biodiversity to the survival of the present and future generations of Nigerians, the country is experiencing a high rate of biodiversity loss. Some of the issues that pose a collective threat to biodiversity protection in Nigeria include: i. Exponential increase in population accompanied by intensified industrial activities for economic development; ii. Dependency of the rural population (about 70% of the total population) on biodiversity resources iii. Lack of clear and consistent national policy on biodiversity conservation; iv. Poor coordination among relevant institutions; and v. Insufficient funding of institutions, programmes and activities that contribute to biodiversity conservation. In line with article vi of the Convention on Biodiversity, the Federal Ministry of Environment initiated the Strategy and Action Planning process in order to guarantee the conservation of Nigeria’s biological diversity.