biodiversity

AMİNE HAVLE CAN

8/F 610

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

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Biodiversity is the total variety of living things on Earth, consisting of genes, species, ecosystems, and ecological processes. In short, it can be defined as nature's "library of life."

Biodiversity is addressed under 3 main headings:

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1. Genetic Diversity:

Genetic diversity refers to the genetic differences that individuals within the same species possess. For example, the fact that all people in the world, despite belonging to the same species, have different eye colors or heights is a result of genetic diversity. This diversity helps organisms adapt to changing environmental conditions.

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2. Species Diversity

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• Species diversity is the number of different species (plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms) in a particular region or throughout the world. Pine trees, squirrels, ants, and various types of fungi found in a forest constitute the biodiversity of that region.

3. Ecosystem Diversity

It is the diversity of different habitats (forests, seas, deserts, wetlands, lakes) in a region and the interactions of the organisms within these habitats with each other and with the non-living environment.

SO WHAT IS FLORA???

• Flora is the name given to the entirety of plant species growing in a particular geographic region, ecosystem, or time period; it is also called vegetation. It is generally used to describe the plant life specific to that region. While biologically it can include fungi and bacteria, the community of beneficial microorganisms found in the human body is also called "normal flora".

The term flora is commonly used in botany and geography to study and classify the vegetation structure of a region.

�What is fauna???�

• Fauna (or fauna) is the totality of all animal species that naturally inhabit a particular geographic region, ecosystem, or time period. It is the equivalent of the term "flora," which refers to vegetation, and is also called the "animal kingdom." Fauna is vital for ecosystem balance.

Although flora and fauna seem like two different terms, they are actually interconnected and complement each other.

HOW DO PLANTS HELP OTHER LIVING THINGS?

1. Source of Energy and Nutrients

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• Plants are among the rare living things that can convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. The sugars and starches they produce in this process become the primary energy source for herbivores and, indirectly, carnivores. Thus, they form the first link in the world's food chain.

2. Shelter and Protection (Habitat)

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Plants are natural homes for animals. Birds build nests in tree branches. Insects live among the leaves. Many animals use dense vegetation (camouflage and concealment) to protect themselves from predators.

3. Soil Conservation and Enrichment

Plant roots form a network around the soil, preventing erosion (soil slides). Additionally, fallen leaves and dead plant parts decompose into the soil, enriching it with minerals and thus providing nourishment for other plants and organisms underground.

4. Medical Support

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For humans, plants are also a treasure trove of medicine. Many modern medicines are produced from plant extracts or by mimicking the chemical structure of plants.

5. OXYGEN CYCLE

• Photosynthesis: The Starting Point of the Cycle Photosynthesis is the most critical stage of the oxygen cycle. Plants use sunlight to process carbon dioxide and water from the environment. At the end of this process, they produce glucose as a nutrient while releasing free oxygen into the atmosphere as a byproduct.

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The functioning of the oxygen cycle and the contribution of plants to this process can be summarized with this simple cycle:

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Production: Plants produce oxygen from sunlight and release it into the air.

Consumption: Humans, animals, and even the plants themselves (at night) use this oxygen for respiration.

Recycling: Carbon dioxide is released as a result of respiration.

Regeneration: Plants take this carbon dioxide back in, restarting the cycle.

AS A RESULT;

• Plants clean the atmosphere by filtering the air through the pores in their leaves. By trapping dust and certain pollutants in the air, they help keep the oxygen we breathe cleaner. Clean air improves the quality of oxygen and its positive effects on living things.

NITROGEN CYCLE

In the nitrogen cycle, if plants didn't exist, living things would mutate because, especially without legumes, nitrogen wouldn't be able to enter our bodies. As a result, our DNA would mutate. Therefore, plants play an important role in both the nitrogen and oxygen cycles.

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• Therefore, plants play a vital role in the nitrogen and oxygen cycles. Even small disruptions in these cycles can affect the entire world. Plants maintain the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water on Earth, and changes in these cycles are what cause this balance.

�What happens if the number of plants decreases?

1. The food chain collapses. When plants decrease, herbivores (rabbits, deer, insects, etc.) that feed on them cannot find food. This leads to a decrease in the number of herbivores, which in turn causes carnivores (wolves, eagles, etc.) that feed on them to starve. Ultimately, the entire food chain is damaged.

2. Air quality deteriorates. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis. When the number of plants decreases:

*The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, which triggers global warming.

* Oxygen production in the air slows down.

*Air pollution increases because plants cannot filter dust and polluted air.

3. Erosion and Soil Loss Increase: Plant roots hold the soil together like a network. When plants die, rainwater and wind easily wash away the fertile topsoil. This leads to soil degradation and, over time, desertification of the area.

• 4. Water sources dry up. Plants retain water in the soil, replenishing groundwater, and moisten the air through transpiration, triggering rain. When vegetation decreases, drought occurs in that region, and the water cycle is disrupted.

5. A shelter problem begins. Many animal species build their nests in trees or bushes. The decrease in vegetation causes animals to become homeless, leading to the migration or extinction of the fauna (animal diversity) in that area.

6. The temperature balance is disrupted when trees and plants keep the environment cool through their shade and the moisture they release. A barren area absorbs sunlight directly, making that area much hotter and more difficult to live in.

In summary : The decline of plants means not only the loss of greenery, but also a decrease in food, water, and clean air.

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY AND SOLUTIONS�

Factors contributing to biodiversity decline are urbanization and habitat loss. Solutions:

�1. Vertical Urbanization and Boundary Demarcation:

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Instead of cities expanding horizontally into forests and agricultural lands, they should be kept within defined boundaries.

2. Creating Habitat Corridors

Cities fragment natural areas. Connecting these fragments allows animals to migrate and preserves genetic diversity.

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Ecological Bridges: Wildlife passages covered with vegetation should be built over or under highways.

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Green Pathways: Tree-lined walking and cycling paths connecting parks and woodlands create safe passage areas for small animals.

3. Ecosystem-Based Urban Design

Cities should be designed not just as concrete jungles, but as living ecosystems.

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Roof Gardens and Vertical Forests: Planting vegetation on the roofs and facades of buildings provides new habitats for birds and insects and reduces city temperatures.

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Use of Native Plants: Parks and gardens should use plants native to the region's natural flora. This supports the feeding of local insect and bird species.

4. Smart Infrastructure and Water Management

Habitat loss is not only related to soil, but also to water resources.

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Permeable Surfaces: Groundwater resources should be replenished by using materials that allow water to seep into the soil instead of concrete.

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Rain Gardens: Small wetlands should be created that filter city water and provide a water source for living things.

5. Conservation Areas and Restoration

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Wetlands, lakes, and old-growth tree communities within cities should absolutely not be opened up for development.

Point Conservation: Even a small marsh or a group of centuries-old trees can be home to hundreds of species.

Habitat Restoration: Degraded lands should be returned to their "natural state" through reforestation and the reintroduction of native species.

CONNECTION WITH THE BOTANICAL PARK�

The botanical park is a garden where the ecosystems, cycles, flora, and fauna mentioned in the presentation coexist in harmony and order. Organisms from different ecosystems live together; when humans are not present, the habitat renews itself, recovers, and maintains its order.

However, we humans are disrupting this order. To prevent this, we must take precautions and remember that the ecosystem has an order, and that order is as delicate as a thread.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. ☺