UNIT 4
IMPORTANT
TERMINOLOGY
&
CONSERVATION
STRATEGIES
Prepared by
Dr. Ashish Thomas
Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Studies
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi
1. KEYSTONE SPECIES
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What is a KEYSTONE
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KEYSTONE SPECIES
BEAVER RATS
MAKE DAMS
FROM STICKS
AND TWIGS
CREATING A
POND LIKE
ECOSYSTEM
IN STREAMS
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KEYSTONE SPECIES
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KEYSTONE SPECIES
Some Examples
Sharks
Tiger
African elephants
Humming birds
Honey bees
Snowshoe hare
Prairie dogs
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2. FLAGSHIP SPECIES
A flagship species is a species selected to act as an
ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat,
issue, campaign or environmental cause.
By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that
species, the status of many other species which share
its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats -
may also be improved.
• PROMOTES PUBLIC AWARENESS
• HELPS IN RAISING FUNDS FOR CONSERVATION
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FLAGSHIP SPECIES
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ALSO CALLED AS UMBRELLA SPECIES
3. BIO-INDICATOR SPECIES
An indicator species is an organism whose presence, absence or
abundance reflects a specific environmental condition. Indicator
species can signal a change in the biological condition of a
particular ecosystem, and thus may be used as a proxy to
diagnose the health of an ecosystem.
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BIO-INDICATOR SPECIES
Water Pollution
May Fly Larva Freshwater Shrimp
(Very clean water) (Low level pollution)
Water louse Rat Tailed Maggot 9
(High level pollution) (Very High level pollution)
Conservation strategies
IN-SITU CONSERVATION
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
IN-SITU CONSERVATION
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IN-SITU CONSERVATION
Conservation of animal or plant species within their
natural habitat
Such Areas are conserved through legal Acts by declaring them as
Protected Areas
² National parks (NP)
² Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS)
² Tiger Reserves (TR)
² Reserve Forests (RF)
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Protected Areas
² National parks: High level of Protection. Extremely
restricted entry to Humans. Use of forest
resources not allowed. No rights can be claimed.
² Wildlife Sanctuaries: High level of Protection. Entry
of humans and human habitation allowed. Use of
resources and some rights allowed to local
communities.
² Tiger Reserves: High level of Protection. Priority
species is Bengal Tiger. Entry of humans and
human habitation allowed to some extent. Use of
resources allowed to local communities.
² Reserve Forests: High level of Protection. Comes
under state legislation. Entry of humans allowed to
some extent. Use of resources not allowed to local
communities unless specified otherwise. 12
APPROACH TO IN-SITU CONSERVATION
Species Level Approach: Focus is on protecting a
particular species from the threats it faces like
poaching, hunting, over exploitation.
Ecosystem Level Approach: Focus is on
protecting the ecosystem or restoring degraded
ecosystem. Main threat that is dealt with is
habitat loss and human wildlife conflict.
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IN-SITU CONSERVATION
110 NP
540 WS
53 TR
BIOSPHERE
RESERVE
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BIOSPHERE RESERVES
Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal
ecosystems which promote the conservation of
biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are
internationally recognized within the framework of
UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme and
nominated by national governments.
714 Biosphere reserves in 129 countries
18 Biosphere reserves in India
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Conservation
Functions of
Sustainable management
Biosphere reserve
Research, education and
tourism
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IN-SITU CONSERVATION
Merits
ü Protection in native habitat
ü Protects a large amount of diversity
ü Protects the entire habitat and associated ecosystem
ü Aids in the process of evolution
ü Cheap and Convenient
Demerits
ü Large areas are needed for conservation
ü Areas cannot be used for Economic Purpose
ü Not suitable for Critically Endangered species, as
these animals can be prone to Natural disasters,
poaching and mutual fights
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EX-SITU CONSERVATION
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EX-SITU CONSERVATION
Conservation of animal or plant species, body parts or genetic
resources outside their natural habitat in human controlled
conditions to ensure maximum care and protection
² Zoological Parks
² Botanical Garden and Nursery
² Seed Banks
² Captive Breeding centres
² Cryopreservation
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ZOOLOGICAL PARKS
BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NURSERY
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SEED BANKS
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CAPTIVE BREEDING CENTRES
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CRYOPRESERVATION
PRESERVATION IN ULTRA COLD CONDITIONS (-80 C TO
-150 C) 24
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
Merits
ü Conservation in controlled conditions
ü Genetic diversity can be preserved for a long
duration
ü Viable for species that are on the verge of
extinction
Demerits
ü Very costly process
ü Alteration in natural behaviour and physiology
ü Inbreeding of animals results in very less genetic
diversity among the resulting population
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Conservation Projects
CASE STUDIES
Project Tiger
IN-SITU CONSERVATION PROJECT
• Launched in 1973 during tenure of Indira Gandhi
• Administered by the NTCA
• Designated reserves are divided into Core Area and
Buffer Area
7 identified habitats 1.Shivalik-terai conservation unit
2.North East conservation unit
3.Sunderbans conservation unit
4.Western Ghats conservation unit
5.Eastern Ghats conservation unit
6.Central India conservation unit
7.Sariska conservation unit
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Vulture Breeding program
EX-SITU CONSERVATION PROJECT
• Oriental white-backed vulture [Gyps bengalensis]
• Long-billed vulture [Gyps indicus]
• Slender-billed vulture [Gyps tenuirostris]
Diclofenac
Banned in India since 2006
Meloxicam
Jatayu Vulture Breeding centre, Pinjore
BNHS and GOI in 2001
9 Vulture Breeding centers in India 27
BEEJ BACHAO ANDOLAN
DUAL APPROACH CONSERVATION PROJECT
Jardhargaon, a small village in the Tehri-Garhwal district
of Uttaranchal, pioneered a people's movement to conserve
indigenous seeds and promote traditional agricultural
practices. The movement was known as the Beej Bachao
Andolan (BBA), or Save Our Seeds.
Started in 1980s by a farmer and social activist
VIJAY JARDHARI
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