BIODIVERSITY

BIODIVERSITY

- is the abbreviated word for “biological diversity”, bio means “life or

living organisms” and Diversity means “variety”.
- is the total variety of life on our planet, the total number of races,
Varieties and species.
- sum of total of various types of microbes, plants and animals
(producers, Consumers and decomposers) in a system.

There are 1.4 million species known presently. But based on new discoveries
(in tropical area), taxonomists estimate there are between 350 million
different species may be alive today. Insects make up more than one half of
all known species and may comprise more than 90% of all species on earth.

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THREE LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY

 Ecosystem or ecological diversity → Diversity at the ecological or

habitat level is ecosystem diversity. Eg. River ecosystem.
 Species diversity – diversity between different species. (ex) plant
species = apple, mango, grapes, animal species = lion, tiger, elephant
etc.
 Genetic diversity – Diversity within the species is genetic diversity.(ex)
teak wood varieties, Indian, Burma, Malaysians

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptionally high levels of species

diversity, often found near the equator, especially in tropical rainforests and
coral reefs. A disproportionate amount of the world’s biodiversity is
concentrated in these areas. While North America and Europe account for
only 10-15% of global species.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

Biosphere is a life supporting system to the human race. Each species in the
biosphere has its own significance.

 It is the combination of different organisms that enables the biosphere

to sustain human race.
 Biodiversity is vital for a healthy biosphere.
 Biodiversity is must for the stability and proper functioning of the
biosphere
 Besides these biodiversity is so important due to having consumptive
use values, productive use values,
 Social values, ethical values and aesthetic values

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BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

We benefit from other organism in many ways. Even in significant organisms

can play irreplaceable roles in ecological systems or the source of genes or
drugs that some day become indispensable.

Food: Many wild plant species could make important contributions to human
food suppliers either as they are or as a source of material to improve
domestic crops. About 80,000 edible plants could be used by human.

Drugs and medicine: Living organisms provides many useful drugs and
medicines.

Productive values: Biodiversity products have obtained a commercial

value. These products are marketed and sold. These products may be
derived from the animals and plants.

Social Values: Social value of the biodiversity refers to the manner in which
the bio-resources are used to the society. These values are associated with
the social life, religion and spiritual aspects of the people.

Holy plants: Many plants are considered as the holy plants in our country.
Examples: Tulsi, peepal, lotus.

Aesthetic value: The beautiful nature of plants and animals insist us to

protect the biodiversity. The most important aesthetic value of biodiversity is
eco-tourism.
Optional values: The optional values are the potentials of biodiversity that
are presently unknown and need to be known.

Ecological benefits: Human life is inextricably linked to ecological services

provided by other organisms. Soil formation, waste disposal, air and water
purification, solar energy absorption, nutrient cycling and food production all
depend on biodiversity. In many environments, high diversity may help
biological communities to withstand environmental stress better and to
recover more quickly than those with fewer species

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THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

1. Habitat loss

Loss of population of interbreeding organism.

Factors:

 Deforestation:
 Destruction of wetlands
 Developmental activities
 Habitat fragmentation
 Raw materials
 Production of Drugs
 Illegal Trade
 (Insert Picture1)

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2. Man wild-life conflict

Examples:

Sambalpur – orissa:195 humans were killed by elephants, In retaliation- 98

elephants were killed, 30 injured by villagers.

Kote – Chamrajanagar –Mysore: Sugarcane & cotton crop, explosives

Royal Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu Man-eating tiger killed 16

Nepalese, 4 yrs child

Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Mumbai Leopards killed– 14 person.

Factors:

 Shrinking of forest compels wildlife to move outside the forest

 Electric wiring around crops
 Animals suffer pain and attack humans
 Female wildlife attack human more to safe its cubs.
 Forest dept. dont cultivate foods for wild
 Cash compensation by Government – 400/- per quintal. But market
price 2400/-
 Garbage near human settlement attract wild

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ENDANGERED & ENDEMIC SPECIES

Species are classified into various types:

 Extinct species → No longer found in the world

 Endangered species → A species is said to be endangered when its no
has been reduced to a critical level. Unless it is protected it is in danger
of extinction.
 Vulnerable species → when its population is facing continuous decline
due to habitat loss.
 Rare species → when it is localized within restricted area.

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ENDANGERED SPECIES

A species is said to be endangered when its no has been reduced to a critical

level. Unless it is protected it is in danger of extinction.

Factors:

• Pollution: Human disposal in nature. Travel through food chain and leads to
death.
• Over-exploitation: over usage of natural resources & poaching leads to
extinct of wild life.

• Climate change: ozone depletion, flood etc, threatens organisms and

ecosystem.

Remedial measures:

• CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species is signed

• 2900 and other 900 endangered species are restricted for trade.

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ENDEMIC SPECIES

The species, which are found only in a particular region are known as
endemic species.

Fauna: Animals present in a particular region or period is Fauna.

Flora: Plants present in a particular region or period is Flora

Factors

 Habitat loss
 Fragmentation
 Pollution

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CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

Advantages or Need of Biodiversity:

 Recreation, tourism, Drugs, herbs, food, important raw materials,

preserves plants & animals, hence leads to life supporting systems.

Types of Biodiversity Conservation:

• In-situ conservation (within habitat)

• Ex-situ conservation (outside habitat)In-situ or on-site conversion

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IN-SITU CONSERVATION

• Conservation of species in its natural habitat, in place where the species

normally occurs

• The strategy involves establishing small or large protected areas, called

protected areas

Today in world, there are 9800 protected areas and 1500 national parks.

Methods:

 Nature or biosphere reserves

 National park and sanctuary
 On farm and home garden conservation for plants, vegetables and
fruits to maintain traditional crop varieties.

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Ex- Situ Conservation

• It involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plant and animal

species under partially or wholly controlled conditions in zoos, gardens and
laboratories.

The crucial issue for conservation is to identify those species which are more
at risk of extinction.

Methods:

1. Long term captive breeding

2. Shortage term propagation and release

3. Animal translocation and re introductions

4. Seed bank
5. Reproductive technology