BIODIVERSITY & ITS CONSERVATION

What is BIODIVERSITY ?
Refers to the numbers, variety and variability of living organisms and ecosystem. Includes all terrestrial, marine and other aquatic organisms. Covers diversity within species, between species as well as variations among ecosystems.

Factors determining Degree of Diversity

Habitat stress Geographical isolation Dominance by one species Availability of ecological niches Edge effect Geological history

Types of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity - Diversity of genes within a species. i.e. genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species. Species diversity- Diversity among species in an ecosystem. Biodiversity hotspots are excellent examples of species diversity. Ecosystem diversity- Diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. To do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth.

Importance of Biodiversity.
Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture, and, in turn, human communities have played a major role in shaping the diversity of nature at the genetic, species, and ecological levels.

Important Role of Biodiversity

Ecological Role..

Economic Role..
Scientific Role..

Ecological Role of Biodiversity

All species provide at least one function in an ecosystem. Each function is an integral part of regulating the species balance, species diversity and species health: all aspects which are intrinsic for the ecosystem as a whole to survive and prosper

Economic Role of Biodiversity .

Food: Crop Biodiversity or agrobiodiversity. Goods: Various things like timber, paper, medicines. Recreation: Wildlife tourism, trekking nature photography,birdwatching.

Scientific Role of Biodiversity

Genetic resources: Biotechnology and genetic engineering use the genes of organisms to make new crops and medicines. Evolution: Each species can give scientist some clue as to how life evolved and will continue to evolve.

Causes of Biodiversity losses

At least 40 per cent of the worlds economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change.

Habitat loss and degradation. Habitat fragmentation.

Habitat and Degradation

Destruction of biodiversity rich areas like tropical forests. Destruction of coral reefs and Wetlands. Ploughing of grasslands. Aquatic ecosystem is threatened. Pollution of freshwater streams, lakes, and marine habitats.

Threats to Reefs
10% of the coral reefs around the world are already dead. Coral bleaching is another manifestation of the problem and is showing up in reefs across the planet.

Threatened Tropical Forests

A world imperiled- forces behind the forest losses

Habitat fragmentation
Emergence of discontinuities in organisms preferred environment. Fragmentation and destruction of Great Ape habitat in Central Africa.

Other causes of decline

Pollution of wetlands.
Over-exploitation of resources. Construction of large dams. Commercial hunting and poaching.

BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
Himalayas - This majestic range of mountains is the home of a diverse range of flora and fauna. Eastern Himalayas is one of the two biodiversity hotspots in India.

Chilika - This wetland area is protected under the Ramsar convention.

Sunder bans - The largest mangrove forest in India.

Western Ghats - One of the two biodiversity hotspots in India.

Thar desert - The climate and vegetation in this area is a contrast to the Himalayan region.

244/18664 88/390 72/458 25/521 03/231 09/5749

Comparative statement of recorded number of animal species in India and the World

Taxa Protista Mollusca Arthropoda Other Invertebrates Protochordata Pisces Amphibia Reptilia Aves Mamalia

Species 2577 5070 68389 8329

World 31259 66535 987949 87121

Percentage of India to the world 8.24 7.62 6.9 9.56

119 2546 209 456 1232 390

2106 21723 5150 5817 9026 4629

5.65 11.72 4.06 7.84 13.66 8.42

IS THE BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA UNDER THREAT?

10% of Indias plant species are under threat. More than 150 medicinal plants have disappeared in recent decades. About 10% of flowering plants, 20% of mammals and 5% of the birds are threatened.

Conservation of Biodiversity
It is the management of the biosphere in such a way that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefits to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspiration of future generations.

Objectives of Conservation
To maintain essential ecological processes To maintain life supporting system i.e. air, water & soil To preserve the diversity of species To ensure a continuous (everlasting) use of species

Conservation Strategies
Ex-situ Conservation
It is done through establishment of gene bank. Which include genetic resource centers, zoos, botanical gardens, culture collections, etc.

In-situ Conservation
It is achieved by protection of population in nature. It includes a system of protected areas of different categories, e.g. National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, etc.

Ex-situ Conservation
DNA BANKS SEED BANKS FIELD GENE BANKS POLLEN STORAGE TISSUE CULTURE CRYOPRESERVATION BOTANICAL GARDENS ZOOS

In-situ Conservation
National Parks Sanctuaries Biospheres Reserves

WILDLIFE ORGANIZATION
IUCN- International Union For Conservation Of Nature And Natural Resources WWF- The World Wildlife Fund IBWL- Indian Board For Wild Life BNHS- The Bombay Natural History Society WPSI- The Wildlife Preservation Society Of India UNEP- United Nations Environment Programme NMNH- National Museum Of Natural History ZSI- Zoological Survey Of India BSI- Botanical Survey Of India PETA- People For Ethical Treatment Of Animals IBP- International Biological Programme

Impact of loss of Biodiversity

Increased vulnerability of species extinction
Ecological imbalance

Reduced sources of food, structural materials, medicinal and genetic resources

Cost increase to the society

Five mass extinctions

End Ordovician (~445 MYA) Late Devonian (~365 MYA) End Permian (~250 MYA) End Triassic (~210 MYA) End Cretaceous (65 MYA)

And we are moving towards the

SIXTH..

Chapin, 2000

Plant Tree Save Life! Plant Tree Save Life! Plant Tree Save Life!