Biodiversity and it’s
conservation
Dr. Ashima Sharma
Overview:
Introduction-Definition
Types- genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
Biogeographical regions and classification with special reference to India
Value of biodiversity
India as a mega diversity nation
Hot spots of biodiversity
Endangered and endemic species of India
Red Data book
Conservation of biodiversity- in-situ and ex-situ
Biodiversity <Biological Diversity>
Biodiversity, encompasses the variety of lifeforms found at all scales of biological
organization, ranging from genes to species to ecosystems.
The term “biodiversity” refers to the variety of living organisms. It brings together
the different species and forms of life (animal, plant, entomological and other) and
their variabilities.
Describes the richness and variety of life on Earth → The term biodiversity was
coined in 1985.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
There are the following three different types of biodiversity:
Genetic Biodiversity
Species Biodiversity
Ecological Biodiversity
Genetic diversity
It refers to the variations among the genetic
resources of the organisms.
Every individual of a particular species differs
from each other in their genetic constitution.
Genetic diversity is the reason that there are
different varieties in the same species of rice,
wheat, maize, barley, etc.
It strengthens the ability of species and
populations to resist diseases, pests, changes
in climate and other stresses.
According to the UN FAO, 75% of all crop
genetic diversity has been lost since the
previous century, primarily due to changes in
the agricultural food system which values
uniformity, due to an ability to obtain
maximized output, while minimizing the labor.
Species Diversity
Refers to the variety of different types of species found in a
particular area.
Defined as the number of species and abundance of each
species that live in a particular location.
It includes all the species ranging from plants to different
microorganisms.
No two individuals of the same species are exactly similar.
In a healthy ecosystem, diverse and balanced number of
species exist to maintain the balance of an ecosystem. In an
ecosystem, all the species depend on each other directly or
indirectly. So to make a more efficient, productive and
sustainable ecosystem, it is important to maintain high
species diversity.
Ecosystem Diversity
It is the diversity observed among the different ecosystems in a region →
like deserts, rainforests, mangroves, etc.
Focuses on both terrestrial & aquatic ecosystems.
Ecological diversity is the largest scale of biodiversity, and within each
ecosystem, there is a great deal of both species and genetic diversity.
It is important because it allows many different types of plants and
animals to live and thrive on Earth. Each habitat is unique and
provides different resources and benefits to the plants and animals
that live there. By protecting and preserving ecosystem diversity, we
can help ensure that all living things have a healthy and sustainable
home to live in. A diverse environment can constantly hold up against
environmental consequences.
It is essential for the survival of all species, including humans.
Without that diversity, ecosystems become more vulnerable to severe
change or extinction, which can have a butterfly effect on other
regions.
Biogeographical classification
(special reference to India)
It is the division of India according to biogeographic
characteristics. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of
species, organisms, and ecosystems in geographic space and
through geological time.
There are ten biogeographic zones in India:
Trans Himalayan zone.
Himalayan zone
Semiarid zone
Gangetic plain zone
Desert zone
North east zone
Deccan plateau zone
Coastal zone
Western ghat zone
Islands
Trans-Himalayas
Cold desert of Ladakh, Jammu
and Kashmir, North Sikkim and
Luhil-Spiti areas of Himachal
Pradesh.
Sparse vegetation.
Wild sheep, goat, Snow Leopard
etc.
Himalayas
This region extends from east to west →
upto 2400 kms from Kashmir to Arunachal
Pradesh.
Tropical rainforests predominate in the
Eastern Himalayas while dense
subtropical and alpine forests are typical
in the Central and Western Himalayas.
Oaks are common in West Himalaya. East
Himalaya is characterized by the presence
of more than 85 species of colored
rhododendrons, bamboos and variety of
orchid species. This region is characterized
by endangered species Bharal, Ibex, etc.
Semi-arid Zone
Adjoining the desert are the semi-arid areas, a transitional
zone between the desert and the denser forests of the Western
Ghats.
The natural vegetation is thorn forest. This region is
characterized by discontinuous vegetation cover with open
areas of bare soil and soil-water deficit throughout the year.
Thorny shrubs, grasses and some bamboos are present in
some regions.
A few species of xerophytic herbs are found. Jackals, leopards,
snakes, fox, buffaloes are found in this region, as well as birds
such as Great Indian Bustard, White-eared Bulbul, etc.
Gangetic plain zone
The Gangetic plain stretches from eastern Rajasthan through
Uttar Pradesh to Bihar and West Bengal, is mostly agricultural
and has a dense human population.
The Ganga and the Brahmaputra form the main drainage axes in
the major portion. Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain is the
largest alluvial tract of the world.
• The Gangetic plain encompasses the Terai-Bhabar tracts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West
Bengal. im Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and Kaziranga National Park in Assam lie
in terai region
• Teak, shisham, sal, etc. found here. This region's fauna includes the Rhinoceros, Elephant,
Buffalo, Swamp Deer (Barasingha) etc.
• Topographic uniformity, except in the arid Western Rajasthan is a common feature
throughout these plains. The plain supports some of the highest population densities
depending upon purely agro-based economy in some of these areas.
Desert Zone
The extremely arid region west of the Aravalli hill range, & includes
both Gujarat's salty desert and Rajasthan's sand desert.
The Indian desert forms India's northern boundary, encompassing
primarily the western and northwestern regions of Rajasthan, as well
as a portion of the Kachchh region of Gujarat in the southwest.
It is 350-450 m asl in the east at the Aravalli range, 100 m in the south
and west, and 20 m in the Rann of Kachchh.
The climate is characterised by very hot and dry summer and cold
winter. Rainfall is <70 cm. The plants are mostly xerophytic. Babul,
Kikar, and wild date palm grow in areas of moderate rainfall.
It has large expanses of grassland that support several endangered
species of mammals such as Wolf, Caracal, etc. and birds of
conservation interest such as Houbara Bustard and the Great Indian
Bustard.
North east zone
The North East Region accounts for 5.2 % of
the total geographical area.
This region is a meeting point for the
Himalayan mountains and peninsular India.
There are significant levels of endemism in all
floral and faunal groups
The North-East is thus a biogeographical
'gateway' for much of India's fauna and flora,
as well as a biodiversity hotspot (Eastern
Himalaya).
Examples of species found here include hog
deer, pygmy hog and hispid hare.
Deccan plateau
zone
This is India's largest biogeographic region covering as much as 42 % of
the country.
The zone is relatively homogeneous, with climates ranging from semi-arid
to moist-deciduous/semi-evergreen.
The Vindhya and Satpura hill ranges are famous for their diverse flora.
The Deccan highlands constitute the principle catchment for a number of
South India’s main river systems (Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, and
Godavari).
Sal and teak, the precious timber species.
It supports some of the finest forests in India with abundant populations of
deer and antelope species such as Chital, Sambar etc. There are small
populations of Asian Elephants and Wild Water Buffaloes as well. Gharhial
is restricted to some rivers.
Coastal zone
Accounts for 2.5 % of total geographical area, and has sandy
beaches, mangroves, marine angiosperm pastures etc.
The coastline extends from Gujarat to the Sunderbans.
Sundarbans shared with Bangladesh is the largest mangrove area in
the world.
The fauna are Hump-back dolphin, varied turtles, especially
Batagur baska of Sunderbans etc.
Western ghat zone
Western Ghats is a mountain range running along the western coast of peninsular
India, to Kanyakumari in the south.
The moist evergreen forests are most extensive in the Western Ghats.
Constituting 4 % of the country’s geographical area, this zone supports tropical
evergreen forests that are home to approximately 15,000 species of higher plants,
of which around 4,000 are endemic.
The rainfall is heavy; possibly more than 2,000mm in most areas but can exceed
5,000mm in some areas.
Forests have been replaced by tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, cardamom, and other
plantations.
There are several endemic faunal species as well, such as the Nilgiri Langur and
the Lion-tailed Macaque. The Malabar grey hornbill is a good indicator of healthy
and mature deciduous forest along the Western Ghats
Islands
This zone covers only 0.3 % of the country’s geographical area.
The importance of this zone is its species richness and endemism of
plants and birds. The islands are home to unique flora and fauna.
The islands are divided into two major groups: the Lakshadweep
Islands and the Andaman Islands. The Lakshadweep Islands are a
group of 27 small islands located in the Arabian Sea. The Andaman
and Nicobar Islands are a 348-island group in the Bay of Bengal that
runs north-south.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have some of India’s finest tropical
evergreen moist forests and show high degree of endemism in flora
and fauna.
Some of the endemic fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar islands
include the Narcondam hornbill and the South Andaman krait.
Values of Biodiversity
• Consumptive Use Value Direct Values: These are those ways by which we
• Productive Use Value can directly use biodiversity for our benefit.
• Social Value
• Ethical Value Indirect Values: These are those ways by which we
• Aesthetic Value don't physically use a plant or animal, but by virtue of
• Option Value its existence it provides services that keep the
• Environment Service ecosystem healthy.
Value
Consumptive Use Value
The consumptive use values are products from nature that can be harvest
and consumed, for example, fishing for food, plants to produce medicines. These
resources are collected and consumed locally.
Consumptive use value is the value put on the products of nature which are
consumed directly without passing through a market.
A straight consumptive use is the direct utilization of timber, food, fuelwood and
fodder by local communities.
Humans use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals on a daily basis. Many
people around the world still depend on wild species for most of their needs like
food, shelter and clothing. The tribal people are completely dependent on the
forests for their daily needs.
Productive Use Value
This category comprises of marketable goods & is assigned to products that are
commercially harvested and marketed.
The productive use values are goods that go through a transformation in the
market and contribute to a country’s GDP, for example, the paper industry, the silk,
and the leather industry.
These may include the animal products like tusks of elephants, musk from musk deer,
silk from silkworm, wool from sheep, fur of many animals, lac from lac insects etc., all of
which are traded in the market.
Many industries are dependent upon the productive use values of biodiversity e.g. the
paper industry, plywood industry, railway sleeper industry, silk industry, textile
industry, ivory-works, leather industry, pearl industry etc.
Social Value
Social values include cultural, spiritual, values of biodiversity
Traditional peoples consider biodiversity as a part of their livelihood. They also value
biodiversity through religious and cultural sentiments
The social value of biodiversity includes motivated habitat conservation. E.g. Indigenous
people always protect the forests for their own benefit.
Many people across the world are still dependent on forests and the environment for
their livelihood, and they also meet their daily requirements from the environment
around them
Many cultures around the world are very much related to plants and animals. Trees like
Peepal, Banyan and Tulsi are still worshipped. Offering water to Tulsi, tying sacred
threads around Peepal and Banyan trees etc.
Ethical Values
Ethical values related to biodiversity conservation are based on the importance of
protecting all forms of life against illegal activities.
Every species has its moral right to exist on earth. Every human culture, religion and
society has its own ethical values.
We have in our country a large number of sacred groves preserved by tribal people in
several States. These sacred groves around ancient sacred sites and temples act as gene
banks for wild plants. These are considered holy and are preserved by local people of an
area.
L7 Video 1
Aesthetic Value
Flora and fauna present in the environment also increase the world’s beauty. Thus,
biodiversity provides aesthetic value for us.
Aesthetic value simply means the contribution of biodiversity towards increasing
the beauty of the environment.
Biodiversity is a direct source of pleasure and aesthetic satisfaction – its
contribution to quality of life, outdoor recreation and scenic enjoyment.
They provide opportunities for recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, river
rafting, rock climbing, trekking, parasailing, nature photography etc.
The designing of thousands of new horticultural species, wild life conservation,
landscape luxury, national parks, zoological and botanical gardens, butterfly parks, add to
the existing aesthetics.
Option Value
Keeping future possibilities open for their use is called ‘option value’. There are
many plants and animals which have not yet been discovered or even if they have
been discovered we do not know if they can be of any use to us. This untapped
potential is referred to as option value.
It is impossible to predict which of our species or traditional varieties of crops and
domestic animals will be of greatest use in the future.
Important ecosystem services and uses for plants and animals are still unknown and
await discovery.
For example, there might be a plant or animal which we can use in the future to find a
cure. So, if we destroy biodiversity then we lose this chance.
Thus biodiversity has great potential of being useful to us in the future.
Environment Service Value
Ecosystem services, include the establishment and maintenance of fertile soil, retention
of fresh groundwater resources through vegetation and the output of oxygen by ground
plants and microalgae.
In wetlands the vegetation captures water- carried sediment and the soil organisms
break down a range of nutrients and pollutants washed into the area. These processes
provide the ecosystem service of purifying water.
Wetlands also act as spawning and nursery grounds for some fish and provide a refuge
for animals in times of drought. Some ecosystem services are easy to overlook until the
underlying process is impaired.
Forests regulate the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by releasing oxygen as a by-
product during photosynthesis, and control rainfall and soil erosion.
India as a mega diversity nation
Megadiversity nations refers to the countries with a high total number of species including a significant percentage
of endemic species. They account for 70% of total biodiversity present on Earth.
India is one of the recognized 17 mega-diverse countries of the world, harboring nearly 7-8% of the recorded
species of the world, and representing 4 of the 36 globally identified biodiversity hotspots.
Over 91,200 species of animals and 45,500 species of plants have been documented in the ten biogeographic
regions of the country.
Along with species richness, India also possesses high rates of endemism. In terms of endemic vertebrate groups,
India’s global ranking is 10th in birds, with 69 species; 5th in reptiles with 156 species; and 7th in amphibians with
110 species. Endemic-rich Indian fauna is manifested most prominently in Amphibia (61.2%) and Reptilia (47%).
India is also recognized as one of the eight Vavilov centres of origin and diversity of crop plants (Vavilov centers are
regions where a high diversity of crop wild relatives can be found, representing the natural relatives of domesticated
crop plants), having more than 300 wild ancestors and close relatives of cultivated plants, which are still evolving
under natural conditions.
The varied edaphic, climatic and topographic conditions and years of geological stability have resulted in a wide
range of ecosystems and habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, and coastal and marine
ecosystems.
Hot spots of
biodiversity
This term was coined by Norman Myers.
“Biodiversity hotspots” can be defined as the regions which are known
for their high species richness and endemism.
According to Conservation International, a region must fulfill the
following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot:
The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it
should have a high degree of endemism.
It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be
threatened.
There are 36 biodiversity hotspots around the world.
There are major 4 biodiversity hotspots in India:
The Himalayas
Indo-Burma Region
The Western Ghats
Sundaland
Endangered and Endemic species of India
Animals or plants are considered to be endangered if there are only a few members of
their species left in the wild, and if they are not properly protected, they will eventually
become extinct.
Endemism refers to the fact that a particular plant or animal species can only be found in
a specific region of the planet. These as well will vanish from the globe if conservation
efforts are not made.
Endemic Species of India
Purple Frog, Western
The Asiatic Lion, Gir Forest Ghats
Namdapha Flying
Kashmir Stag, Kashmir Valley Squirrel, Arunachal
Pradesh
The Lion-Tailed Macaque, Pygmy Hog, Assam
Western Ghats
Malabar Civet, Western
Sangai Deer, Manipur Ghats
Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills Nicobar imperial pigeon
Endangered Species of India
The Bengal Tiger The Snow Gharial Indian vulture Andaman white-
Leopard toothed shrew
Red panda Ganges river Asiatic lion Indian Sloth bear
dolphin rhinoceros
Red Data Book
The Red Data Book is a public document that helps in providing complete information for
research, studies and also for monitoring the programs on rare and endangered species and
their habitats. This book is mainly created to identify and protect those species which are
on the verge of extinction.
History: The name of this book has its origins in Russia, it was originally known as the Red Data
Book of the Russian Federation (RDBRF) & was based on research conducted between 1961 and
1964 by biologists in Russia.
Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red Data Book.
IUCN was founded in 1948 with an aim to maintain a complete record of every species that ever
lived.
Aim and objectives of the Red Data Book:
Provide evidence-based information with regard to the situation of all subspecies and
species worldwide.
Highlight the rate at which different species are becoming endangered and extinct in
the world.
Provide valuable insights into biodiversity.
Take effective actions for conserving biological diversity.
To serve as a channel for research and studies of all endangered species on the planet
Earth.
Biodiversity Conservation
In-Situ Ex-Situ
Conservation Conservation
In-Situ Conservation
Conservation of a species by protecting it in its own habitat or
own environment.
Along with it all the other species that live in its nature are also
protected.
Biodiversity can be best preserved in-situ by setting aside an
adequate representation of wilderness as protected areas.
PROTECTED AREAS
A clearly defined geographical
space, recognized, dedicated &
National Wildlife
managed, through legal or other Parks Sanctuaries
effective means, to achieve the long
term conservation of nature with Biosphere Sacred
Reserves Groves
associated ecosystem services &
cultural values.
NATIONAL PARKS
Area dedicated for conservation of wildlife along with its environment +
tourism, but without impairing environment.
Grazing of domestic animals, all private rights and forestry activities are
prohibited.
Has a properly marked boundary.
Establishment can only be done by the national government.
There are 101 existing national parks in India covering 1.23% of the
geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, December,
2019).
JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK,
UTTARAKHAND
Image Source: https://www.exoticmiles.com/cities/jim-corbett/
GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK,
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Image Source: http://natureconservation.in/great-himalayan-national-park-complete-detail-updated/
BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL
PARK, KARNATAKA
Image Source: https://www.karnataka.com/bangalore/bannerghatta-national-park/
DESERT NATIONAL PARK, JAISALMER
Image Source: https://www.thrillophilia.com/desert-national-park-jaisalmer
NAMDAPHA NATIONAL PARK,
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Image Source: https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/india/complete-travel-guide-to-
namdapha-national-park/
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Private ownership rights are permissible.
Forestry operations are also allowed.
Do not have a properly marked boundary.
Establishment can be done through a competent authority (eg. chief conservator
of forests).
There are 553 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India which is 3.64 % of the
geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, December, 2019).
CHILIKA WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY, ODISHA
Image Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/orissa/chilika-wildlife-
sanctuary/ps47986458.cms
GUDAVI BIRD SANCTUARY,
KARNATAKA
Image Source: https://www.karnataka.com/bangalore/bird-sanctuaries-around-bangalore/
KACHCHH DESERT WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY, GUJARAT
Image Source: https://kachchh.nic.in/tourist-place/kachchh-desert-wildlife-sanctuary/
KHAWNGLUNG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY,
MIZORAM
Image Source: https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/khawnglung-wildlife-sanctuary-mizoram-
attractions-things-to-do-and-how-to-reach-005672.html
ASOLA BHATTI WILDLIFE
SANCTUARY, DELHI
Image Source: https://www.thrillophilia.com/tours/day-trip-to-asola-bhatti-wildlife-sanctuary-from-
BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Areas of terrestrial & coastal ecosystem
promoting an integrated management of land,
water and biodiversity.
Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere
reserves in India.
Has 3 zones:
CORE ZONE
BUFFER ZONE
TRANSITION ZONE
Image Source: https://upscdecode.com/trick-to-remember-biosphere-reserves/amp/
NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE, TAMIL NADU
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Pic_from_Doddabetta_Peak.jpg/1200px-
Pic_from_Doddabetta_Peak.jpg
NOKREK BIOSPHERE RESERVE,
MEGHALAYA
Image Source: https://www.nativeplanet.com/west-garo-hills/attractions/nokrek-biosphere/
NANDA DEVI BIOSPHERE RESERVE,
UTTARAKHAND
Image Source: https://www.tourmyindia.com/heritage/nanda-devi-national-park.html
SUNDARBAN BIOSPHERE
RESERVE, WEST BENGAL
Image Source: https://www.thetravelmagazine.net/tiger-sunderbans-national-park-west-bengal-india.html
PANNA BIOSPHERE RESERVE,
MADHYA PRADESH
Image Source: https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/unesco-allots-indias-panna-tiger-reserve-biosphere-reserve-
status/
SACRED GROVES
Any grove of trees that are of special religious
importance to a particular culture → A piece of
natural vegetation protected by a certain community
due to religious reasons.
The area is usually dedicated to a local deity → local
communities take responsibility to protect & nurture.
It could be only a few trees or an entire forest.
Immense Value → Repositories of rich medicinal
plants, wild relatives of crops and many important
species, which act as the valuable gene pool. They give
much ecological and genetic significance and play an
important role in wildlife conservation also.
Ex-Situ Conservation
Conservation of a species by protecting it outside its own habitat
or own environment, in a carefully controlled situation.
Human controlled artificially managed conditions → successful
breeding programme → reintroduction of species into its
original wild habitat.
Also requires rehabilitation of the degraded habitat & removal of
other threats.
ZOOLOGICAL PARKS
A place where various
living animals are kept
within enclosures,
displayed to public and
may be used for study.
Gene Banks or Seed Banks
• A type of biorepository to preserve genetic material.
For plants, this is done by in vitro storage, freezing
cuttings from the plant, or stocking the seeds. For
animals, this is done by the freezing of sperm and eggs
in freezers until further need.
• A seed bank preserves dried seeds by storing them at
a very low temperature & needed to develop a new
variety of crop that is resistant or can tolerate
changing climates and environments.
1. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
(NBPGR), New Delhi
2. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources
(NBAGR), Karnal
