Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, along with the ecosystems they form. It includes: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Genetic Diversity: Variation of genes within a species.} \\ \bullet & \text{Species Diversity: Variety of species within a region.} \\ \bullet & \text{Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of ecosystems (forests, deserts, wetlands, etc.).} \\ \end{array}\] Need for Conservation: - Maintains ecological balance. - Provides food, medicine, timber, and raw materials. - Ensures ecosystem services like pollination, oxygen production, and climate regulation.
Methods of Conservation: \[\begin{array}{rl} 1. & \text{In-situ Conservation: Protecting species in their natural habitats, e.g., national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves.} \\ 2. & \text{Ex-situ Conservation: Protecting species outside their natural habitat, e.g., botanical gardens, zoos, seed banks, gene banks.} \\ \end{array}\]