Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : How Biodiversity Can Increase the Resilience of Cities

Revision Notes

Critical role of organisms: Every organism in nature is essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Human connection: Humans are just one part of this larger ecosystem and are beginning to understand their role.

Complex ecosystem: Forests are ecosystems where diverse organisms interact.
Ideal conditions for life: Forests provide shade, water, and food, ideal for survival.
Individual vs ecosystem roles: Organisms aim to survive and reproduce, while collectively maintaining ecological balance.
- Example: Reintroduction of wolves helped revive Yellowstone National Park in the 20th century.

Diverse ecosystem: A forest supports a variety of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, unlike human-made parks.
Resilience and adaptability: The diversity within forests strengthens the ecosystem’s ability to adapt to changes and stress.
Ecosystem services: A biodiverse forest provides clean air, water, and food, and aids in managing natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and climate change.

Underground fungal network: Fungi found on the roots of plants and trees connect trees and facilitate communication.
Defense mechanism: If a tree is attacked by a disease, it sends signals through this network to nearby trees, which either protect themselves or disconnect.
Wood wide web: This underground communication system, crucial for forest survival, is referred to as the wood wide web.

Step 1: Study native species: Understand the trees and organisms that are native to the region.
Step 2: Reintroduce native species: Restore ecosystems by reintroducing native plants and organisms.
Step 3: Protect natural spaces: Focus on forest protection and conserving biodiverse areas.
- Coastal protection: Mangroves and natural marine habitats must be protected to counter erosion.
- Sewage treatment: Invest in sewage treatment plants to prevent ocean waste pollution.
- Artificial reefs: New initiatives like artificial reefs can enhance marine biodiversity.
Green corridors in cities: Creating green corridors helps mitigate climate change effects.
- Example: Medellin, Colombia: The city built a network of green corridors, leading to cleaner air and a 2°C drop in temperature.

Biodiversity in Mumbai: Mumbai has rich biodiversity with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and mangroves along its coast.
Threat from over-concretisation: Rapid urbanisation, with the development of buildings and roads, threatens this biodiversity.
Mumbai Coastal Road: The new coastal road improves connectivity but presents an opportunity to create a biodiverse green corridor between the road and land.
Connecting biodiversity: Planting native trees in this corridor could link Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s biodiversity with the entire city.

Biodiversity is crucial for urban resilience, helping cities cope with environmental challenges and climate change. Sustainable development, alongside natural conservation, will secure the future of cities.