Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. It is the range and variety of Earth’s plants , animals and micro-organisms and is vital to food security. ... A variety of different species help to control pests and parasites that affect food-producing plants and animals.
What is food security in biodiversity?
Although biodiversity underpins much of modern agriculture, the development of contemporary production systems has resulted in extensive land conversion and concomitant biodiversity loss. ... The nutritional and livelihood benefits of diverse production systems are one way of achieving food security.
Why is biodiversity important for food security?
Biodiversity is the basis of agriculture and our food systems. ... Agricultural biodiversity also performs ecosystem services such as soil and water conservation, maintenance of soil fertility, conservation of biota and pollination of plants, all of which are essential for food production and for human survival.
Why is biodiversity important in a food web?
Biodiversity is important to the stability of food webs because it increases the complexity of interactions between organisms and makes them better ...
Do we need biodiversity for security?
We depend on biodiversity and its ecosystem services such as air and water purification, soil protection, disease control and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters. ... It is critical that we understand that biodiversity is interlinked with poverty alleviation and food security.
How does biodiversity affect food production?
Biodiversity is the basis of agriculture and our food systems. ... Agricultural biodiversity also performs ecosystem services such as soil and water conservation, maintenance of soil fertility, conservation of biota and pollination of plants , all of which are essential for food production and for human survival.
What meant by food security?
Food security, as defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, means that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life .
What are the benefits of biodiversity?
Ecological life support— biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services . Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity , such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing.
What is genetics diversity?
Genetic Diversity refers to the range of different inherited traits within a species . In a species with high genetic diversity, there would be many individuals with a wide variety of different traits. Genetic diversity is critical for a population to adapt to changing environments.
What are two ways that pollution impacts food security?
Soil pollution has bad consequences: It impacts food security both by impairing plant metabolism and thus reducing crop yields , as well as by making crops unsafe for consumption by animals and humans.
What are 5 benefits of biodiversity?
Support a larger number of plant species and, therefore, a greater variety of crops. Protect freshwater resources. Promote soils formation and protection . Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.
What are 3 examples of decomposers?
The ones that live on dead materials help break them down into nutrients which are returned to the soil. There are many invertebrate decomposers, the most common are worms, flies, millipedes, and sow bugs (woodlice) . Earthworms digest rotting plants, animal matter, fungi, and bacteria as they swallow soil.
What are the 4 types of biodiversity?
- Species Diversity. Every ecosystem contains a unique collection of species, all interacting with each other. ...
- Genetic Diversity. Genetic diversity describes how closely related the members of one species are in a given ecosystem. ...
- Ecosystem Diversity. ...
- Functional Diversity.
What are the 5 main reasons for biodiversity decline?
Biodiversity loss is caused by five primary drivers: habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation (extreme hunting and fishing pressure) , pollution, climate change associated with global warming.
Why is biodiversity in danger?
Biodiversity is subject to many threats. The greatest is probably habitat destruction and fragmentation . But there are many other threats to biodiversity. Over-consumption by humans –by hunting, fishing, or collecting from the wild– threatens many species.
What are the causes of biodiversity loss?
- Climate change.
- Pollution.
- Destruction of habitats.
- Invasive alien species.
- Overexploitation of the natural environment.
- Extinction of species.
- Threat to human beings.
- Proliferation of pests.
