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6.1 introduction of natural Resources

Those resources which are gifted by nature are called natural resources. We make the use
of different types of natural resources in our daily life. We cannot survive without natural
resources. For example, we use air for breathing, water for drinking, land for cultivation,
construction, etc. Similarly, we use plants, trees, birds, animals, etc. for food. Without
natural resources, life is not possible on the earth. They include both living and non-living
things. In this chapter, we will be dealing with only living things present in nature.

Concept of Biodiversity

We find large variety of living beings around
us. They may be unicellular or multicellular.
They may or may not be visible to the naked
eyes. All the living organisms of the earth are
called biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the
living organisms found per unit square area. It
indicates the total number of living species on
the earth, their status, their variation, systems
and structure. Biodiversity differs from place to Fig: 1
place and according to the types of ecosystem.
Different types of ecosystem are found in different places of Nepal. The variation in the
ecosystem supports the life of variety of biodiversity.

Biodiversity is also defined as “the measure of variety of earth ‘s animals, plants, microbes
species of ecosystem.” Biodiversity of a location means the existence of organisms and
species of living beings per square unit area of any place. Biodiversity is classified as:
a. Ecosystem Diversity
b. Gene Diversity

c. Species Diversity
d. Agricultural Diversity

a. Ecosystem Diversity
Ecosystem is the interaction between the living and non-living things present in the
environment. It provides natural habitat to different living beings. Various types of
ecosystems are found in different geographical belts of Nepal. Different types of biodiversity
are found in different ecosystems. There can also be different types of biodiversity within
a particular ecosystem. For example, within a pond ecosystem, there might be fishes,
tadpoles, algae, snakes, water weeds, etc. Similarly, variety of plants, animals, birds, trees,
etc. are found in different types of ecosystems of different geographical regions.
“Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety and frequency of distinct ecosystem including
variety of habitats, biotic communities and their changes in composition and structure
overtime.” It also refers to the differences between ecosystem types and diversity of
habitat and ecological process occurring within each ecosystem type.
GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 113