Page 114 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

Different types of ecosystems like grassland ecosystem, forest ecosystem, glacial lake
ecosystem, etc. are found in Nepal. But due to lack of sea and desert in Nepal, the marine
ecosystem and the desert ecosystems are not found. However, the ecosystem of Mustang
and some northern parts of Nepal are compared with the desert ecosystem. According to
the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation(2014 A.D.), there are 118 types of ecosystems
(basically two types of ecosystems) found in Nepal.

b. Gene Diversity
All living beings inherit the characteristics from their parents. These characters are
transmitted by means of the genes present in the nucleus of the cells. The characteristics
differ from one type of living being to another. The variation brought in the living beings
due to the genes present in the living beings is known as gene diversity or genetic diversity.
It covers genetic variation between distinct population of the same species.
Gene diversity is also defined as the range of genetic variation and variability found
within the population of single species and between the species, among living organisms
in a given habitat. Dogs, cats, cows, tigers, lion, etc. are some examples of gene diversity.

c. Species Diversity

i. Concept of Species Diversity
The earth consists of different types of plants, animals, birds, trees and many other living
beings. These living beings are classified under (i) Plant kingdom and(ii) Animal kingdom.
Different types of vegetations like bryophytes, pteridophytes, trees, algae, lichens, fungi
etc. are found on the earth. Similarly, animals like goats, snake, lizard, cows, buffaloes,
birds, etc. are also found in nature. Various types of living beings are found within their
own species too. For example, among the goats, Jamunapari, Sanan, etc. and cows like
local and jersey are found in Nepal. This diversity on the basis of species of plants and
animals is called species diversity.
Species diversity also refers to the variety and frequency of living species within a specific
ecological area. Due to geographical diversity, variation in the climate and availability of
different types of ecosystem, large variety of species of living beings are found in Nepal.

ii. Status of Species Diversity in Nepal
Nepal covers 0.1% of the land and 0.03% of the total area (including the area covered
by water) of the earth. Due to the variation in land topography, climate, altitude, etc.
different types of ecosystems are found in Nepal. Especially, the hilly region of Nepal has
different types of ecosystem which provide suitable habitat for variety of biodiversity. The
availability of different types of ecosystems has made Nepal rich in biodiversity. Among
867 ecologically important places, 12 are located in Nepal.

In 2002 A.D. the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Nepal Biodiversity Strategy
(NBS) was published in Nepal with the support of Global Environment Family and
UNDP. It also published Nepal Fourth National Report to the convention on Biological
Diversity in 2009 A.D . As per these publications, the biodiversity of Nepal is given below.

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