The range of all forms of life on earth, including plants, animals, humans, bacteria and other organisms
Components of biodiversity
Number of species
Genetic diversity of different species
Population of each species
Diversity of habitats and landscapes
Ethiopia has high geographic and climatic diversity, resulting in high diversity of plant and animal species, including many endemic species
Scope of biodiversity
Plant species including crop and forest genetic resources
Animal species including farm animal and wildlife genetic resources
Microbial genetic resources
Values and services of biodiversity
Food production
Firewood, fiber and construction materials
Medicinal resources
Climate regulation
Disease and pest control
Pollination
Water and air purification
Soil erosion control
Waste decomposition
Recreation, sports, hunting
Source of foreign currency
Education and research
Threats to biodiversity
Land use change
Unsustainable use of resources
Invasive species
Climate change
Environmental pollution
Population growth
Land use change, such as conversion of forests, grasslands and woodlands to cultivated land, results in the destruction of natural habitats and loss of plant and animal species
Unsustainable use of resources, such as overgrazing, overfishing, and overharvesting of timber, can result in the loss of plant and animal species and ecosystem services
Invasive species like Parthenium weed, Prosopis juliflora, and water hyacinth compete with local species and threaten biodiversity in Ethiopia
Climate change has led to increased temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and a decrease in crop varieties that require long growing seasons in Ethiopia
Environmental pollution, such as improper management of solid and liquid wastes, can destroy natural habitats and lead to the reduction or loss of plant and animal species
Unchecked population growth can result in the expansion of agricultural lands and overexploitation of resources, leading to biodiversity loss
Biodiversity conservation refers to the planned management of biodiversity in a particular ecosystem to prevent overexploitation, pollution, and other threats
Biodiversity
A wide range of life forms including plant and animal species and other organisms
Components of biodiversity
Plant and animal genetic resources
Microbial genetic resources
Habitat diversity
Roles of biodiversity
Provides various regulatory and cultural services
Enables development of improved plant and animal varieties for human use
Provides diverse plant species important for food production and medicine
Threats to biodiversity
Habitat destruction
Overexploitation
Invasive species
Climate change
Pollution
Population growth
Biodiversity conservation is important to reduce losses of vital plants, animals and microbial resources for the sustainability of agriculture, forestry, wildlife and other similar sectors
Biodiversity conservation
Planned management of biodiversity in a particular ecosystem to prevent overexploitation, pollution, destruction and to ensure biodiversity is maintained
Objectives of biodiversity conservation
Maintain sustainable use of species and ecosystems
Maintain life supporting systems
Maintain essential ecological processes
Human activities like habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species and harvesting of species has caused huge losses of biodiversity
Approximately 85% of Ethiopia's population lives in rural areas and their livelihood directly or indirectly depends on natural resources, so conservation is vital
Biodiversity resources in Ethiopia
Field crops
Horticultural crops (fruits and vegetables)
Wild plants
Medicinal plants
Forests
Rangelands and forage plants
Indigenous breeds of farm animals
Endemic mammal and bird species
Threats to biodiversity in Ethiopia
Deforestation
Habitat destruction
Poor forest regeneration
Expansion of invasive species
Forest fires
Illegal tree harvest
Overgrazing and over-browsing
Conversion of grazing lands to cultivated lands
Expansion of agriculture and grazing near wildlife habitats