Explain types of biodiversity with class 10 examples

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the vast variety of life on Earth.It can be understood at three distinct levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

• Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variety of genes within a single species.More genetic diversity means a species is healthier and more resilient to diseases and environmental changes.
  • Example: India has over 50,000 genetically different strains of rice and over 1,000 varieties of mangoes (like Dasheri, Langra, and Alphonso). The different breeds of dogs (like a Pug, German Shepherd, and Labrador) are also an example of high genetic diversity within the dog species.
• Species Diversity: This refers to the variety of different species (plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) within a particular area.
  • Example: The Western Ghats have a very high species diversity, with thousands of different plant species, amphibians (like frogs), insects, and birds. This is much higher than a monoculture farm, like a wheat field, which has very low species diversity.
• Ecosystem Diversity: This is the variety of different habitats, communities, and ecological processes. It refers to the different types of ecosystems found in a region.
  • Example: India has a wide range of ecosystems, from the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and the hot Thar Desert to the lush tropical rainforests, coastal mangroves of the Sundarbans, and coral reefs of the Andaman Islands.