Biological diversity (BD) is the totality of all forms of life inhabiting our planet. This is what makes the Earth different from other planets in the solar system. BR is the richness and diversity of life and its processes, including the diversity of living organisms and their genetic differences, as well as the diversity of the places where they exist. BR is divided into three hierarchical categories: diversity among members of the same species (genetic diversity), between different species, and between ecosystems. Research into global problems of BD at the gene level is a matter of the future.

The most authoritative assessment of species diversity was carried out by UNEP in 1995. According to this estimate, the most likely number of species is 13-14 million, of which only 1.75 million, or less than 13%, have been described. The highest hierarchical level of biological diversity is ecosystem, or landscape. At this level, patterns of biological diversity are determined primarily by zonal landscape conditions, then by local features of natural conditions (topography, soils, climate), as well as the history of the development of these territories. The greatest diversity of species is distinguished (in descending order): moist equatorial forests, coral reefs, dry tropical forests, moist forests of the temperate zone, oceanic islands, landscapes of the Mediterranean climate, treeless (savanna, steppe) landscapes.

In the last two decades, biological diversity has begun to attract the attention of not only biologists, but also economists, politicians, and the public due to the obvious threat of anthropogenic degradation of biodiversity, which far exceeds normal, natural degradation.

According to the UNEP Global Biodiversity Assessment (1995), more than 30,000 species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction. Over the past 400 years, 484 animal species and 654 plant species have disappeared.

Reasons for the current accelerated decline in biological diversity-

1) rapid population growth and economic development, making huge changes to the living conditions of all organisms and ecological systems of the Earth;

2) increased migration of people, growth of international trade and tourism;

3) increasing pollution of natural waters, soil and air;

4) insufficient attention to the long-term consequences of actions that destroy the conditions of existence of living organisms, exploit natural resources and introduce non-native species;

5) the impossibility in a market economy to assess the true value of biological diversity and its losses.

Over the past 400 years, the main direct causes of extinction of animal species have been:

1) introduction of new species, accompanied by displacement or extermination of local species (39% of all lost animal species);

2) destruction of living conditions, direct withdrawal of territories inhabited by animals and their degradation, fragmentation, increased edge effect (36% of all lost species);

3) uncontrolled hunting (23%);

4) Other reasons (2%).

The main reasons for the need to preserve genetic diversity.

All species (no matter how harmful or unpleasant they may be) have a right to exist. This provision is written in the “World Charter for Nature” adopted by the UN General Assembly. Enjoying nature, its beauty and diversity has the highest value, not expressed in quantitative terms. Diversity is the basis for the evolution of life forms. The decline in species and genetic diversity undermines the further improvement of life forms on Earth.

The economic feasibility of preserving biodiversity is determined by the use of wild biota to satisfy different needs industrial societies, agriculture, recreation, science and education: for the selection of domestic plants and animals, the genetic reservoir necessary for updating and maintaining the resistance of varieties, the production of medicines, as well as for providing the population with food, fuel, energy, wood, etc.

There are many ways to protect biodiversity. At the species level, there are two main strategic directions: in situ and out of habitat. Protecting biodiversity at the species level is an expensive and time-consuming path, possible only for selected species, but unattainable to protect the entire wealth of life on Earth. The main focus of the strategy should be at the ecosystem level, so that systematic ecosystem management ensures the protection of biological diversity at all three hierarchical levels.
The most effective and relatively economical way to protect biological diversity at the ecosystem level is protected areas.

In accordance with the classification of the World Conservation Union, there are 8 types of protected areas:

1.Reserve. The goal is to preserve nature and natural processes in an undisturbed state.

2.National park. The goal is to preserve natural areas of national and international importance for scientific research, education and recreation. These are usually large areas in which the use of natural resources and other material human impacts are not permitted.

3.Nature monument. These are usually small areas.
4.Managed natural reserves. The collection of some natural resources is permitted under the control of the administration.

5.Protected landscapes and coastal species. These are picturesque mixed natural and cultivated areas with the preservation of traditional land use.
Statistics on protected areas usually include lands of categories 1-5.

6. Resource reserve created to prevent premature use of the territory.

7. An anthropological reserve created to preserve the traditional way of life of the indigenous population.

8.Territory for the multi-purpose use of natural resources, focused on the sustainable use of water, forests, flora and fauna, pastures and for tourism.
There are two additional categories that overlap with the above eight.

9.Biosphere reserves. They are created to preserve biological diversity. They include several concentric zones of varying degrees of use: from a zone of complete inaccessibility (usually in the central part of the reserve) to a zone of reasonable, but quite intensive exploitation.

10.World Heritage Sites. They are created to protect unique natural features of global importance. Management is carried out in accordance with the World Heritage Convention.

In total, there are about 10,000 protected areas (categories 1-5) in the world with a total area of ​​9.6 million km, or 7.1% of the total land area (excluding glaciers). The goal that the World Conservation Union sets for the world community is to achieve the expansion of protected areas to a size constituting 10% of the area of ​​each large plant formation (biome) and, therefore, the world as a whole. This would contribute not only to the protection of biodiversity, but also to increasing the sustainability of the geographical environment as a whole.

The strategy to expand the number and area of ​​protected areas is in conflict with the use of land for other purposes, especially in view of the growing world population. Therefore, to protect biological diversity, it is necessary, along with protected areas, to increasingly improve the use of “ordinary” inhabited lands and the management of populations of wild species, not only endangered ones, and their habitats on such lands. It is necessary to apply such techniques as zoning of areas according to the degree of use, creating corridors connecting land masses with less anthropogenic pressure, reducing the degree of fragmentation of biodiversity hotspots, managing ecotones, conserving natural wetlands, managing populations of wild species and their habitats.

TO effective ways protection of biological diversity include bioregional management of large areas and waters, as well as international agreements on this issue. UN Conference on environment and Development (1992) adopted the International Convention on Biological Diversity.

An important agreement is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. There are also a number of other conventions protecting various aspects biological resources and biodiversity: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands, Whale Protection Convention, etc. Along with global conventions, there are numerous regional and bilateral agreements regulating specific issues of biodiversity.

Unfortunately, for now it can be stated that, despite numerous measures, the accelerated erosion of the world's biological diversity continues. However, without these protections, the rate of biodiversity loss would be even greater.

Relevance Preserving the diversity of animal and plant species, landscapes and ecosystems is an urgent task of our time. Biodiversity conservation is not just a new area of ​​nature conservation, it is an integral component concept of humanity's transition to the principles of sustainable development. The protection of life on Earth is the task of all humanity. All people and all institutions of society must take part in the conservation of biodiversity. Unfortunately, understanding of the new trend has not yet reached the broad masses of decision-makers. Preserving the diversity of animal and plant species, landscapes and ecosystems is an urgent task of our time. Biodiversity conservation is not just a new area of ​​nature conservation, it is an integral part of the concept of humanity’s transition to the principles of sustainable development. The protection of life on Earth is the task of all humanity. All people and all institutions of society must take part in the conservation of biodiversity. Unfortunately, understanding of the new trend has not yet reached the broad masses of decision makers.

Goals and objectives Develop programs for the conservation of biological diversity Develop programs for the conservation of biological diversity Create systems of reserves, reserves, national parks Create systems of reserves, reserves, national parks Adopt laws for the conservation of species Adopt laws for the conservation of species Control the number of species Control the number of species

The main reasons for the loss of biological diversity, reduction in numbers and extinction of animals are disturbance of the habitat; overharvesting, fishing in prohibited areas; introduction (acclimatization) of alien species; direct destruction to protect products; accidental (unintentional) destruction; environmental pollution disruption of the habitat; overharvesting, fishing in prohibited areas; introduction (acclimatization) of alien species; direct destruction to protect products; accidental (unintentional) destruction; environmental pollution poaching poaching

Animal protection measures Creation of nature reserves, game reserves, national parks Creation of nature reserves, game reserves, national parks Creation of the largest animal protection organizations (Green Peace, PETA) Creation of the largest animal protection organizations (Green Peace, PETA) Ban on poaching Ban on poaching Listing endangered species of animals in the Red Book Listing of endangered animal species in the Red Book