India is home to nearly 8% of global biodiversity on only 2.3% of global land area and contains sections of four of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. While the precise economic value of all ecosystem services provided by biodiversity is unknown, estimates suggest that India's forests alone may yield services worth more than a trillion rupees per year. It is also possible to imagine how much greater this value will be with the addition of grasslands, wetlands, freshwater, and marine. In this article, we will discuss Services provided by Biodiversity which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What are Ecosystem Services?

• Ecosystems are communities formed by the interaction of living (plants, animals, and microbes) and non-living organisms (air, water, mineral soil).
• Humans benefit from ecosystems in a variety of ways.
• The acquired benefits are referred to as ecosystem services.
• Wetlands, for example, provide fresh, clean water, regulate pollution and reduce climate risk and uncertainty for people, agriculture, and aquaculture (fisheries).
• They are also biodiversity hotspots and home to a diverse range of animals, particularly bird species.
• The interactions between ecosystem components are critical to a well-defined environment.
• Humans benefit greatly from the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. These advantages are known as ecosystem services. These services are essential for life and biodiversity on Earth.

What are the Services Provided by Biodiversity?

• Biodiversity provides a variety of services that are critical at the local, regional, and global levels. In general, biodiversity provides three types of services:
  • ecosystem services,
  • biological services, and
  • socio-cultural services.

Ecosystem Services

• Preservation of the water cycle - Water flow regulation is an important service provided by land cover and configuration, but most policymakers and land management organisations are unaware of its dynamics.
• Waste degradation, pollution reduction - The local climate and air quality are influenced by ecosystems.
  • Trees, for example, provide shade, while forests influence rainfall and water availability on a local and regional scale.
  • Trees and other plants also help to regulate air quality by removing pollutants from the atmosphere.
• Carbon sequestration and global climate regulation - By storing greenhouse gases, ecosystems help to regulate the global climate.
  • As trees and plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and effectively store it in their tissues.
• Possibility of pest and disease-causing species control
• Soil and sediment detoxification Land stabilisation against erosion - Through natural biological processes such as nitrogen fixation, vegetation cover prevents soil erosion and ensures soil fertility.
• Water resource conservation - Wetlands, for example, filter effluents, decompose waste through the biological activity of microorganisms, and eliminate pathogens.
• Ecosystem preservation - Wind and insects pollinate plants and trees, which is necessary for the growth of fruits, vegetables, and seeds.
  • Animal pollination is an ecosystem service that is primarily provided by insects, but it is also provided by some birds and bats.
  • Pollinators such as bees, birds, and bats affect 35 percent of global crop production, increasing outputs of approximately 75% of the world's leading food crops.
• Recovery from unforeseen events - Natural disasters are mitigated by ecosystems and living organisms. They mitigate the effects of floods, storms, tsunamis, avalanches, landslides, and droughts.
• Soil formation, soil protection, and soil fertility maintenance
• Cycling and Nutrient Storage
• Formation and preservation of soil
• Nutrient conservation and recycling
• Pollution decomposition and absorption
• Contribution to environmental stability

Biological Services

• Food - Almost all ecosystems provide the conditions for food cultivation, collection, hunting, and harvesting.
• Raw Materials - Ecosystems provide a wide range of materials, such as wood, biofuels, and fibres derived from wild or cultivated plant and animal species.
• Fresh Water - Without water, there is no life. Ecosystems are critical to the flow and storage of fresh water.
• Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs - Natural ecosystems support a diverse range of plants and mushrooms that provide effective treatments for a wide range of health issues.
• They are used in both popular and traditional medicine, as well as in the development of pharmaceuticals.
• Examples of commonly used modern drugs derived from natural sources:
• Quinine, an antimalarial drug, is derived from yellow cinchona.
• Penicillin, a general antibiotic, is derived from Penicillium fungi.
• Morphine, an analgesic, is derived from the Opium poppy.
• Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
• Ecosystems provide habitat for plants and animals, as well as a variety of complex processes that support the other ecosystem services.
• Some habitats have an unusually high number of species, making them more genetically diverse than others; these are referred to as "biodiversity hotspots."
• Genetic diversity (the variety of genes found between and within species populations) distinguishes different breeds or races, laying the groundwork for locally well-adapted cultivars and a gene pool for developing commercial crops and livestock.
• Wooden goods
• Plants used for decoration
• Stocks for breeding

Social Services

• Biodiversity provides us with opportunities for research and education.
• Nature-based recreation opportunities, such as walking and playing sports in parks and urban green spaces, play an important role in maintaining mental and physical health.
• The aesthetic value of biodiversity has led to tourism and recreational activities. This cultural ecosystem service provides visitors with benefits as well as income opportunities for nature tourism service providers.
• Animals, plants, and ecosystems have long inspired our arts, culture, and design; they are increasingly inspiring science as well.
• It is also significant in human culture—traditions and values.
  • For example, in several Indian states, tribal people have preserved a large number of sacred groves.

National Mission for Biodiversity and Human Well-Being

• In 2018, the Prime Minister's Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, and other Ministries, approved an ambitious National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being.
• The Mission proposes a national effort to transform biodiversity science by connecting it to people's economic prosperity.
• It also aims to help India achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by utilising India's rich biodiversity to develop solutions to challenges in agriculture, health, and climate change.
• Under this Mission, research institutions, governments, and non-governmental organisations will collaborate to catalogue, map, assess, monitor, and use our vast but diminishing natural resources in a sustainable manner.
• The Mission will also assist in the development of a cadre of biodiversity science professionals to sustain and secure Indian biodiversity.
• Finally, the Mission hopes to spark a mass movement that will inspire India's vast population to take pride in its natural heritage and contribute to its restoration and conservation.

Conclusion

Millions of species live on Earth. Every organism relies on another for energy, survival, and other life processes. This reliance of organisms on one another and their surroundings create an interacting system known as ecosystem. Much of the use of the term "biodiversity" is value-laden. As a result, it is critical to recognize that there is more to the term than a formal definition in the Convention on Biological Diversity. This should always be kept in mind when interpreting what is said about biodiversity, especially now that the term has become a familiar feature of news programs and papers, and importance is attached to it by environmental groups, political decision-makers, economists, and ordinary citizens alike.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is an example of a provisioning service provided by biodiversity?

A) Climate regulation
B) Pollination
C) Water supply
D) Disease regulation

2. What is one of the major consequences of habitat destruction on biodiversity?

A) Increase in species diversity
B) Decrease in species extinction rates
C) Loss of species and genetic diversity
D) None of the above

3. Which of the following is NOT a cultural service provided by biodiversity?

A) Aesthetic value
B) Recreation
C) Food production
D) Spiritual benefits

4. What is the primary role of pollination in biodiversity?

A) Pollination helps in nutrient cycling
B) Pollination supports the reproduction of plants
C) Pollination provides shelter to species
D) Pollination regulates the climate

5. How does biodiversity contribute to climate change mitigation?

A) By increasing greenhouse gas emissions
B) By promoting soil degradation
C) By maintaining ecosystems that absorb carbon
D) By supporting urbanization

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of biodiversity in supporting the functioning of ecosystems and human well-being.

Answer: Biodiversity plays an essential role in supporting ecosystem services, which are crucial for human survival. Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem functioning by ensuring the stability and resilience of ecological processes such as pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling. The loss of biodiversity can lead to the breakdown of these services, affecting food security, water availability, and human health. Biodiversity also offers cultural, recreational, and aesthetic benefits, improving quality of life. Therefore, preserving biodiversity is integral to maintaining ecosystem functions and supporting sustainable human development.

Q2: Evaluate the impact of human activities on biodiversity. What measures can be adopted to conserve biodiversity?

Answer: Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, urbanization, and climate change have significantly impacted biodiversity, leading to habitat loss, species extinction, and disruption of ecological balance. Habitat destruction, especially in tropical forests and wetlands, has resulted in the decline of many species. Additionally, the introduction of invasive species, over-exploitation of resources, and industrial activities further threaten biodiversity. To conserve biodiversity, measures such as protecting natural habitats, implementing sustainable land-use practices, enforcing environmental laws, and promoting awareness about biodiversity conservation are essential. International cooperation through agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is also critical for global biodiversity protection.

Q3: Analyze the importance of biodiversity conservation in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Answer: Biodiversity conservation is directly linked to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Biodiversity is essential for food security, as diverse ecosystems provide a wide range of crops, fish, and livestock. Healthy ecosystems contribute to clean water, climate regulation, and soil fertility. The conservation of biodiversity ensures that ecosystems continue to provide vital services, which are critical for achieving sustainable development. By focusing on biodiversity conservation, nations can address poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation while promoting prosperity for all.

Previous Year Questions on Biodiversity

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Which of the following is a direct result of the loss of biodiversity?

A) Increase in agricultural productivity
B) Decrease in the availability of ecosystem services
C) Improvement in ecosystem resilience
D) Increased genetic diversity

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The loss of biodiversity leads to a decrease in ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling, which are critical for the well-being of humans and ecosystems.