Category 6 · Environment & Ecology
Biodiversity Basics and Classification
12 micro topics in Environment & Ecology for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Definition and Types of Biodiversity (Genetic, Species, Ecosystem); Patterns of Biodiversity; and 10 more.
-
6.1
Definition and Types of Biodiversity (Genetic, Species, Ecosystem)
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes to species to ecosystems, and the ecological processes of which they are part. The term was popularised by Walter Rosen…
-
6.2
Patterns of Biodiversity
Patterns of biodiversity are the regular ways in which the number of species changes across space. The best known is the latitudinal gradient: species richness is highest in the tropics and falls towards the poles, with…
-
6.3
Bio-Geographical Classification of the World
Biogeographic classification divides the world into regions according to the distribution of plants and animals. Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876 divided the land into six zoogeographic regions, still widely used: Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical (Neotropic), Ethiopian (Afrotropical),…
-
6.4
Bio-Geographical Classification of India
India lies in the Indomalayan realm, with its northern fringe touching the Palearctic realm, and has been divided by the Wildlife Institute of India (Rodgers and Panwar, 1988) into 10 biogeographic zones and 25 biotic provinces.…
-
6.5
Functions of Biodiversity
Biodiversity provides the goods and services, called ecosystem services, on which human life depends. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) groups them into four types: provisioning services such as food, fibre, timber, fuel, fresh water and medicines;…
-
6.6
Biodiversity Hotspots
A biodiversity hotspot is a region with exceptionally high species richness and endemism that is also severely threatened by human activity. The concept was developed by the British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988 and adopted by…
-
6.7
Bioinformatics in Biodiversity Studies
Bioinformatics is the use of computers, databases and statistical tools to collect, store, analyse and share biological data, especially DNA, RNA and protein sequences. In biodiversity studies it helps identify species, map their distribution, understand evolutionary…
-
6.8
Eco-Regions
An ecoregion is a large area of land or water that contains a distinct assemblage of natural communities and species, with boundaries that follow the original extent of those communities before major land-use change. Ecoregions are…
-
6.9
Role of Traditional Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation
Traditional knowledge is the body of knowledge, practices and beliefs built up by indigenous and local communities over generations through close contact with nature, and passed on orally or through custom. It covers medicinal plants, farming…
-
6.10
Biopiracy
Biopiracy is the unauthorised or unfair use of biological resources or the traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities, usually by taking them from a developing country or community and obtaining patents or profit without prior…
-
6.11
Plant and Animal Kingdom Classification
Classification groups organisms by shared features and evolutionary relationships. Carl Linnaeus began modern taxonomy with binomial nomenclature, giving each species a two-part Latin name (genus and species). The ranks in order are domain, kingdom, phylum (division…
-
6.12
Marine Mammals, Egg-Laying Mammals and Marsupials
Mammals are classed by how they reproduce into three groups. Monotremes or egg-laying mammals, the platypus and echidnas, lay eggs but feed their young with milk. Marsupials such as kangaroo, koala and wombat give birth to…
← All Environment & Ecology categories
Frequently asked questions
Which topics are in Biodiversity Basics and Classification?
Biodiversity Basics and Classification has 12 micro topics in Environment & Ecology: Definition and Types of Biodiversity (Genetic, Species, Ecosystem); Patterns of Biodiversity; Bio-Geographical Classification of the World; Bio-Geographical Classification of India; Functions of Biodiversity; Biodiversity Hotspots; Bioinformatics in Biodiversity Studies; Eco-Regions; Role of Traditional Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation; Biopiracy; Plant and Animal Kingdom Classification; Marine Mammals, Egg-Laying Mammals and Marsupials.
Is Biodiversity Basics and Classification important for UPSC Prelims?
Biodiversity Basics and Classification is a part of the UPSC Prelims Environment & Ecology syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 12 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.