“Aid for trade is about helping developing countries, in particular, the least developed to build the trade capacity and infrastructure they need to benefit from trade opening”

Ecosystem:

Biodiversity encompasses all biological entities occurring as an interacting system in a habitat or ecosystem and plants constitute a very important segment of such biological systems. Biodiversity of plants collectively known as “plant genetic resources” is a key component of any agricultural production system, indeed, of any ecosystem, without which natural evolutionary adjustment of the system to the changing environmental and biotic conditions would be impossible. Plant biodiversity is an irreplaceable resource, providing raw materials for introduction, domestication as well as improvement programmes in agriculture and forestry. Conservation and use of genetic diversity for sustainable ecosystem or agro-ecosystem should be continuous to meet food, clothing, shelter and health requirements of India's growing population.

Why is biodiversity important?

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops. Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.

How do humans affect biodiversity?

Humans affect biodiversity by their population numbers, use of land, and their lifestyles, causing damage to habitats for species. ... Through proper education, and by demanding that governments make decisions to preserve biodiversity, the human population will be able to sustain life on earth longer.

Types of ecosystems:

-  Coral reefs, coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet. Many aquatic animals use coral reefs for shelter and food sources. Example of a coral is the great barrier reef

Ecosystem loss

Ecosystem loss is due to many reasons, one being global warming.Global warming increases the temperature of the planet sparking wildfires which ruins the ecosystems of rainforests, global warming also increases the temperature of the sea which makes the corals to die off ruining the coral reef ecosystem.

Biodiversity loss:

Biodiversity loss, also called loss of biodiversity, a decrease in biodiversity within a species, an ecosystem, a given geographic area, or Earth as a whole. Likewise, biodiversity loss describes the decline in the number, genetic variability, and variety of species, and the biological communities in a given area. This loss in the variety of life can lead to a breakdown in the functioning of the ecosystem where decline has happened.

An area’s biodiversity increases and decreases with natural cycles. Seasonal changes, such as the onset of spring, create opportunities for feeding and breeding, increasing biodiversity as the populations of many species rise. In contrast, the onset of winter temporarily decreases an area’s biodiversity, as warm-adapted insects die and migrating animals leave. In addition, the seasonal rise and fall of plant and invertebrate populations (such as insects and plankton), which serve as food for other forms of life, also determine an area’s biodiversity.Biodiversity loss is typically associated with more permanent ecological changes in ecosystems, landscapes, and the global biosphere. Natural ecological disturbances, such as wildfire, floods, and volcanic eruptions, change ecosystems drastically by eliminating local populations of some species and transforming whole biological communities. Such disturbances are temporary, however, because natural disturbances are common and ecosystems have adapted to their challenges (see also ecological succession).

Indian biodiversity

India is a treasure chest of biodiversity which hosts a large variety of plants and has been identified as one of the eight important “Vavilorian” centres of origin and crop diversity. Although its total land area is only 2.4 percent of the total geographical area of the world, the country accounts for eight percent of the total global biodiversity with an estimated 49000 species of plants of which 4900 are endemic (Kumar and Asija, 2000). The ecosystems of the Himalayas, the Khasi and Mizo hills of northeastern India, the Vindhya and Satpura ranges of northern peninsular India, and the Western Ghats contain nearly 90 percent of the country's higher plant species and are therefore of special importance to traditional medicine. Although, a good proportion of species of Medicinal Plants (MP) do occur throughout the country, peninsular Indian forests and the Western Ghats are highly significant with respect to varietal richness (Parrota, 2001)

Links:

http://www.fao.org/3/Y4586E/y4586e09.htm

Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture.