Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms on Earth. This chapter covers the types of biodiversity, the floral diversity of Nepal, and the basic ideas of taxonomy, classification and the five kingdom system.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity can be defined as the variety and variability of living organisms in a particular place at a particular time. It is of the following types:
- Species diversity: the variety of species found within a particular area.
- Genetic diversity: the variety within the genetic composition and structure of organisms, along with the variety of habitats and biotic communities.
Floral diversity of Nepal
Floral diversity is the variety and variability found among the plants of a particular geographical area. Nepal is very rich in floral diversity. Reported plant species in Nepal include:
- Lichens: 850 species (Miehe et al., 2015).
- Fungi: 2467 species (Adhikari, 2016).
- Algae: 1001 species (Prasad, 2013).
- Bryophytes: 1213 species (Pradhan, 2016).
- Pteridophytes: 580 species (Jenkins et al., 2015).
- Gymnosperms: 41 species (Shrestha et al., 2012).
- Angiosperms: 6973 species of flowering plants (Groombridge and Jenkins, 2002).
Scope of biodiversity
- It helps in finding different foods and drinks for human consumption.
- It helps in finding new medicines.
- It helps in maintaining natural beauty.
- It helps in the conservation of nature, plants and animals.
- It helps in controlling natural calamities.
- It is important as a direct source of income and economic development.