We often speak about our surroundings and environment to our friends and peers. But do you really know what our surroundings comprise of? Essentially, our environment comes together because of the different kinds of “life” that exists on this planet.

The culmination of different forms of life, or the species of animals, plants, microorganisms, and fungi, is what we understand as biodiversity.

When biodiversity comes in contact with one another, the geographical area where they co-exist is what we understand as an ecosystem.

What many do not know is that India is home to 8% of the world’s biodiversity. And it is the strength of biodiversity in general that helps determine the health of our ecosystem.

We, at Tribhuvan College, one of the leading environmental science colleges in Neemrana, believe it is vital for everyone, especially our youth, to understand this relationship and contribute to it in whatever way possible. This is the key aim behind our 3-year Bachelor’s program in Ecology, Environment, and Water Management.

Areas in which biodiversity has a contribution to make

• Economic:

In a country like India, where 70% of the population views agriculture as their primary livelihood, the importance of biodiversity strengthens even further.

The biodiversity provides humans with raw materials for both consumption and further production. Apart from farmers, fishermen and timber workers also depend on biodiversity to make a living.

Hence, there is no denying about the economic significance of biodiversity, not just to India but every economy out there. And this is exactly why, we, at Tribhuvan College, always encourage our students to put their best foot forward to preserve biodiversity so that neither they nor their future generation has to suffer from the economic turmoil of any kind.

• Ecological:

Do you know about 1 million plant and animal species are facing the threat of extinction?

Now just imagine having a lot of money to your credit but zero access to oxygen, clean water, and clean air! It is understood that survival in such conditions will become difficult, or let us say impossible.

If you wish to safeguard your interests and avoid finding yourself in such a situation, then it is necessary to live on a planet that boasts of a strong biodiversity.

• Scientific:

Research and Development is a crucial function for the survival and growth of any economy. Moreover, high-end scientific research helps in deriving measures that can support our economy. Such a research is conducted in and around nature and its repeat patterns.

However, in the absence of a strong and diverse biodiversity spread, it will become impossible to work around the scientific angle. This will, in turn, saturate the economy and lead to stagnancy.

Recreational:

Do you love to travel? If you said yes, is there a side to you that enjoys bird watching, trekking, camping, and fishing?

Just imagine what would happen in the absence of a strong biodiversity! The recreational activities you take pride in today may not even exist altogether!

Thus, if you expect biodiversity to keep contributing to your lives the way it does today, then it is imperative that you begin focusing on giving back to the environment by choosing to protect and care for it.

• Cultural:

The religious beliefs and sentiments of people residing in India are deep and heartfelt. But in the absence of a strong biodiversity, most cultural agendas will be put to the test. In fact, with a shaken belief system, people will face difficulties in surviving and sustaining.

From all of this, one point should have been clear by now, i.e., being aware of our biodiversity is crucial for all of us. After all, we cannot expect someone else to do our job. We need to take the reins in our hands and do whatever it takes to move in the direction of achieving our biodiversity-related objectives.

Here’s why biodiversity is important to every ecosystem

Declining biodiversity is a matter of concern in today’s times. This is because biodiversity can have a positive or negative impact on the ecosystem.

Let us now look into different parameters where biodiversity, directly and indirectly, contributes to the health and sustainability of an ecosystem. Read on.

• Boosts productivity:

Believe it or not, every species of plants or animals that resides in this ecosystem contributes to the bigger picture in some way possible. For instance, a large number of plants give birth to multiple crops. Overall, biodiversity brings natural sustainability to the table.

Hence, we can draw a conclusion that when biodiversity is in place and flourishing, productivity has to follow.

• Helps tackle natural disasters:

Not many know, but it is a fact that extensive coverage and presence of wetlands, forests, and coastal stretches can help avert natural disasters. For instance, climate change and global warming is a huge environmental issue in our country. Even though delaying this problem is not a solution, but having a rich biodiversity in place can definitely help in delaying and reducing the impact of such environmental problems.

In fact, the diverse ecosystem stands strong against weather events. This diversity comes from a healthy biodiversity, which we need to nurture.

Do you know India alone is home to around 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals!

At Tribhuvan College, a leading environmental science college, we firmly believe there is a dire need to introduce our youth, who are the nation builders of tomorrow, to the many environmental threats that our country is exposed to. Only when they know what they can do to save Mother Earth can they actually do their bit and develop into responsible citizens willing to take positive actions in this regard. After all, only collective goals can help achieve our environmental objectives faster!

• Acts as a natural water cleansing agent:

Farming, which is a highly prevalent occupation in our country, depends heavily on the use of fertilizers for better crop production in today’s times. Fertilizers possess heavy nitrogen content in the form of nitrogen compounds like nitrate.

Many a time, agricultural processes like these end up letting out nitrogen into our water streams. What follows is the contamination of water. This water then reaches every household only to cause contaminated water-related health woes.

However, the nitrogen present in the water can be mopped out using a natural method. This is nothing but a heavy presence of biodiversity.

In fact, a study has proved that the presence of diverse species in water bodies has a pivotal role to play in nutrient cycling. This is a natural water filtration system, which is so good that no ecosystem would like to function without it.

• Contributes towards soil formation:

The impact of biodiversity on our ecosystems holds a deeper meaning, especially because soil organisms have a major role to play in every ecosystem. First and foremost, the soil organisms work wonders in cycling the many nutrients present in the ecosystem.

Secondly, it is because of these creatures that water can easily enter the soil and stay put within. Moreover, a rich biodiversity helps to break down the soil and rocks, which makes it easier for the water to enter. This is important because the water stored in the soil offers resistance against soil erosion.

It is crucial to create and maintain the structure of the soil, which is another area where biodiversity plays a key role.

• Makes dealing with disturbances and changes easy:

You may have heard of the collapse of many ecosystems, especially in times when disturbances and changes had struck. Why do you think this happened? The main reason behind the collapse was nothing but a lack of biodiversity.

It is observed that the greater the biodiversity, the higher are the chances of an ecosystem experiencing stability. That is what we otherwise term the diversity-stability hypothesis.

In fact, it is marked that an ecosystem that has a larger number of species is likely to see in the face of disturbances when compared to another ecosystem of the same size with a lower number of species.

Hence, whenever a disturbance strikes, you can rest assured about the recovery of an ecosystem that is characterized by a diversity of species. From this, we come to understand an important realization, i.e., ecosystems experience greater flexibility in the presence of rich biodiversity.

• Safeguards against the future:

In India, it has become important to tackle environmental problems. And this is mainly because of the impact they are likely to have on our future generations.

However, the question here is, why should you think of tomorrow instead of today?

If you are keen on introducing change and protecting your environment, then you should begin by focussing your attention on biodiversity today itself!

At Tribhuvan College, we firmly believe that if we lay collective efforts towards preserving our biodiversity, we will be in a far better position to save our ecosystem. Once we together start working in this direction, we no longer have to worry about the safety and security of our future generations.

One glance through the above pointers, and it is clear that biodiversity has a significant contribution to make towards any ecosystem. However, new statistical analysis has shown that 90% of India’s biodiversity hotspots have been already lost.

Hence, if you are still delaying your efforts towards doing your bit for maintenance of biodiversity and eventually the ecosystem, then understand, it is high time an action is taken!

“You” can contribute to the biodiversity and ecosystem goals!

The Government of our country has laid down multiple laws and regulations, the primary focus of which is to preserve our environment. Environmental protection is no different from backing the biodiversity spread and the ecosystem at large.

At this juncture, we, at Tribhuvan College, would like to emphasize this one fact again – Each one of us needs to act as a responsible citizen and work towards our nation’s environmental goals. After all, collective efforts help achieve faster results!

It is a known fact that different species of plants and animals thrive in different kinds of environments. Biodiversity and the ecosystem get disturbed when any species is moved in an unfavourable environment. Thus, it is advisable to take the opinion of experts, in this case, an ecologist, before moving any species to an unfamiliar region.

Though biodiversity loss is indeed a matter of concern, the good part is that it can be reinstated if you choose to do so. It might take time and efforts, but it is certainly not an impossible task.

Not many know, but we can restore a habitat by bringing back the natural species that were once found in the region. By following this process, we can still restore the lost biodiversity, and this means we still have the opportunity to bring back your ecosystem to its original shape.

So, all this while, if you have been living under the assumption that there is not much that you can do, then now is the time to get in action!

Biodiversity is vital for maintaining an ecosystem’s health

It is definitely not an overnight job to preserve biodiversity and eventually the ecosystem. The entire process has a lot to do with awareness and step-by-step planning.

First of all, each human being needs to step out of a limited mentality. Many a time, you assume that you cannot do much in your individual capacity. Following this, you end up giving up even before you start. What you can try to do differently is start building awareness in your immediate community. You should aim for smaller and more realistic goals. When each smaller community tries to strike one biodiversity and ecosystem related objective, you will be in a position to witness overall improvement in the days to come.

To further strengthen the efforts in this regard, it is vital that our upcoming generations possess the necessary know-how about biodiversity, ecosystem, their interrelation, and their significance. This is exactly what we, at Tribhuvan College, one of the leading environmental science colleges in India, are here for! Our specially curated program in environmental management not only prepares the youth with the requisite knowledge but also instils them with the kind of mindset that’s needed to work towards the bigger goal of protecting and saving our environment. After all, as Thomas Eisner once said, “Biodiversity is the biggest treasure we have. Its diminishment is to be prevented at all cost.”