- •Content
- •Preface
- •Biology as Science and Important Part of Our Life
- •Applying Life Science to Your Life
- •Careers, hobbies and element of personal culture
- •The scientific method
- •1. Basics of organisation of life
- •1.1. Nature and Properties of Life. Cell Theory
- •1.2. Energy and Energy Conversions. Chemistry aspects of life organisation
- •Ionic bonds
- •Ice floats
- •1.3. Life as Phenomenon of Universe
- •Fig. 1.6. Dna structure
- •2. Elements of general biology
- •2.1. Introduction to Cell Biology
- •Internal membranes
- •Pumping Molecules Through Cell Membranes (active transport)
- •Fig. 2.1. Diffusion into and out of cells
- •Fig. 2.2. Active transport of two different ions
- •Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Organisms
- •Stored energy from the sun
- •The role of photosynthetic pigments
- •Identifying Photosynthetic Reactants and Products
- •Respiration in the cells
- •Comparison of photosynthesis and respiration.
- •2.2. Introduction in Genetics
- •Fig. 2.3. Normal human (female) karyotype
- •Fig. 2.4. Dna ladder separates to form two identical dna ladders
- •Mitosis
- •Incomplete Dominance is Neither Dominant nor Recessive
- •X Chromosomes & y Chromosomes
- •Fig. 2.5. Process of meiosis
- •Fig. 2.6. Process of meiosis (continuation)
- •Inheritance of Blood Types
- •Variations and Mutations
- •Initiation of transcription requires a promoter and rna polymerase
- •2.3. The Introduction to Theory of Evolution
- •2.3.3. Classification and Identification
- •The system of Linnaeus
- •The scientific name
- •Bases of Modern Classification
- •Categories of Classification
- •Subdivisions of the Five Kingdoms
- •Identifying Photosynthetic Reactants and Products
- •3. Aspects of biology of viruses, monera, protists, algae, fungi and lichens
- •3.1. Viruses
- •3.1.1. Discovery of viruses. Sizes of viruses
- •Viruses differ greatly in size. They range in length from 0.01 to over 0.3 micrometers; yet over 500 of them can fit on the point of the pin.
- •3.1.2. Characteristics of viruses
- •3.1.3. Kinds of viral infections
- •3.1.4. Defenses against viral infections
- •3.2. Kingdom Monera. Bacteria
- •3.2.1. Bacteria are organisms
- •3.2.2. Main groupes of bacteria Archaebacteria
- •Photosynthetic bacteria
- •Chemosynthetic bacteria
- •Cyanobacteria
- •Some bacteria are helpful
- •Some bacteria are harmful
- •Prevention and control of bacterial disease
- •3.3. Plantlike Protists. Kingdom Protista
- •3.4. Algae
- •Plants that live in water
- •Economic importance of algae
- •3.5. Fungi
- •3.5.1. Terrestrial molds
- •3.5.2. Water molds
- •3.5.3. Slime molds
- •3.5.4. Club fungi
- •3.5.5. Sac fungi
- •3.5.6. Imperfect fungi
- •3.5.7. Fungi and habitats
- •3.5.8. Adaptations to life on land
- •3.5.9. Ecological and economic roles
- •3.6. Lichens
- •3.6.1.Structure
- •3.6.2. Habitats
- •3.6.3. Nutrition
- •3.6.4. Ecological role
- •3.6.5. Reproduction
- •Summary and test questions
- •4. Botany
- •Nonvascular and vascular plants
- •Seed plants
- •4.1. Bryophytes and Mosses
- •4.1.2. Mosses
- •4.2. Ferns
- •4.2.1. Physical structure
- •4.2.2. Life cycle of ferns
- •4.3. Gymnosperms
- •4.3.1. Conifers
- •Importance of conifers
- •4.3.2. Cycads
- •4.3.3. Ginkgoes
- •4.3.4. Gnetales
- •4.4. Angiosperms
- •Kinds of plant tissues
- •Root structure
- •Flowers and sexual reproduction
- •Leaves and water loss
- •Table 4.1 Comparative characteristics of monocots and dicots
- •5.1. Phylum Protozoa
- •5.1.4. Class Sporozoa
- •5.2. Phylum Porifera: Sponges
- •5.3. Phylum Coelenterata
- •5.4. Phylum Plathelminthes. Flatworms
- •5.5. Phylum Nemathelminthes: Roundworms
- •5.6. Phylum Annelids
- •5.7. Phylum Molluska: Mollusks
- •5.8. Phylum Arthropoda
- •Incomplete Metamorphosis
- •5.9. Phylum Chordata
- •Classification and Characteristics of Amphibians
- •The 4,500 species of mammals live throughout the world. Mammals can live in different environments because their flexible body plan has allowed the various species to undergo many special adaptations.
- •5.10. Classification of Kingdom Animalia
- •6. Human Biology
- •Introduction
- •6.1. The skeleton system
- •6.2. The muscular system
- •6.3. The integumentary system
- •6.4. The respiratory system
- •6.5. The excretory system
- •6.6. Nervous control and coordination
- •Introduction
- •6.7. Sense organs
- •Introduction
- •Vision, Hearing, and Balance
- •6.8. Endocrine system
- •Introduction
- •6.9. Circulatory system
- •Introduction
- •Immune Response
- •Immunity
- •6.10. Nutrition and digestion
- •Vitamins
- •Vitamins and Minerals
- •6.11. Reproduction and development
- •Introduction
- •Influence of external environmental factors on human health
- •6.12. World populationand its regulation
- •World population, total quantity and annual increase, 1950–2000 (us Bureau, 2001)
- •7. Biodiversity as phenomenon of life
- •Introduction
- •7.1. Biodiversity and problems of its preservation
- •Biodiversity components and levels (Global, 1995)
- •Quantitative assessment of the species diversity of the planet (Global, 2001)
- •7.2. Biodiversity conservation in Ukraine: conceptual developments and challenges
- •7.3. Protected Areas and Econet of Ukraine as instruments of conservation and innovation
- •7.4. Transboundary protected areas and opportunities for cooperation
- •Carpathians case (successful story)
- •The greening of local environment
- •Conclusion
- •Annex 1. Classification of living organisms
- •Bibliography
- •Additional references
- •Other information resources
- •Terms and definition index
7. Biodiversity as phenomenon of life
Outline: biodiversity conservation, legal system, sustainable development, use of natural resources, biomes, ecosystems, population, species, conventions, econet (ecological network), landscapes.
Introduction
All previous evolution of mankind resulted in exhausting use of nature resources including biodiversity, high level of environmental pollution, harmful impact on human health, deterioration of biocoenoses, landscapes and ecosystems and is lacking in prospects. In spite of extraordinary efforts of international environmental community and a large number of the international and regional initiatives reflected in conventions, programmes and projects, the deterioration of bio- and landscape diversity is increasing since uncompensated impressments or destruction of ecosystems and nature resources is continuing for the transient benefit of human population or as a result of its activity.
7.1. Biodiversity and problems of its preservation
Biodiversity means the variety of life forms on the planet. During last 30 years, researchers and public leaders came to understanding that evident threats to biodiversity are threats to humanity.
In 1992, representatives of 150 states have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) during the Earth Summit in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil. 187 states and European Union have ratified the CBD and integrated this legally binding international treaty in national legal systems, which is an evidence of crucial importance of the biodiversity for the planet and for human life and development.
Thus, juridical status was given to the term “biological diversity” practically everywhere. The CBD provides following definition of this term: "Biological diversity" means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems». Fundament of biodiversity is based on species, which are discrete communities of living organisms having the same set of genes (genotypes) and capable to reproduce organisms similar to themselves.
Complex of living organisms of different species, which are in interactions with surrounding environment and each others in order to exchange the energy and substances, represents ecosystem. Sustainability and evolution of the ecosystems depends on the balance of the processes of assimilation and dissimilation of the energy and substances as well as on organisms’ resistance and adaptability to external impact.
General scheme of the levels and composition of biodiversity is depicted in the table 7.1.
Table 7.1.
Biodiversity components and levels (Global, 1995)
Ecological diversity |
Genetic Diversity |
Organisational diversity |
Biomas |
|
Kingdoms |
Bioregions |
|
Phylum |
Landscapes |
|
Families |
Ecosystems |
|
Genus |
Habitats |
|
Species |
Niches |
|
Subspecies |
Populations |
Populations |
Populations |
|
Individuals |
Individuals |
|
Chromosomes |
|
|
Genes |
|
|
Nucleotides |
|
Cultural diversity: Human relations at all levels |
||
Totality of the ecosystems constitutes special part of the planet occupied by living organisms which are key peculiarity of this field. The term biosphere was given to this part of the planet.
From human point of view, biological productivity is key characteristic of ecosystem. Biological productivity depends on the composition of biodiversity and environmental conditions. From human point of view, natural environment is a source of raw materials for processing the food, clothes and footwear, construction of dwellings, means for health treatment and other purposes. According to the definition given in the Convention, “biological resources” includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations, or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value for humanity.
As it follows from the table 7.2, about 1.75 mln species of living organisms are discovered and described by present. However, according to modern scientific assessments, this constitutes only the eighth part of total biodiversity of the planet and many new species will be discovered in future.
Table 7.2.