Biological diversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. The loss of biodiversity is important because human existence depends on the biological resources and it is the essential component of several ecosystems. The natural resources are over exploited in many of the tropical islands in spite of fragile ecosystem to meet growing rural poverty and strive for economic growth. All these factors together with climate change are responsible for the extinction or threatened status of a number of species. In many of the tropical islands, loss of genetically distinct and unique species is due to human-induced selective pressures. Consequently, there has been a growing realization that the conventional method of conservation is no more effective in dealing with the socio-ecological complexity and political dimensions of biodiversity conservation. By conserving biodiversity, we not only ensure that our surroundings are richer and more diverse, but also we secure the resources that will continue to provide improvements in the quality of human life.
Elsevier, Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation in Tropical Islands, 2018, Pages 525-552
