Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of plant, animals or micro-organisms in a region. Study of biodiversity has become very important recently after realising the value of biodiversity for our survival. It has many medicinal, commercial, economic and scientific uses.

Wild relatives of cultivated crop plants are the source of genes for disease resistance and several other attributes required for crop improvement.

Biodiversity also provides valuable services like water conservation, clean air, soil conservation and improvement of soil fertility, pollution break-down, aesthetic needs and so on.