Introduction to Biodiversity

Introduction to Biodiversity

• Biodiversity includes every living organism on Earth.
• Biological variability includes the diversity among freshwater sources, as well as terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystems.

Types of Biodiversity

• Genetic Variation: Differences in DNA among individuals of the same species.
  • Allows populations to evolve and adapt to environmental changes.
  • Can be measured by considering the variety of phenotypes, genotypes, and alleles present in a population.
• Ecosystem Diversity: The variations in ecosystems that lead to specific species occupying each of these diverse environments.
  • Differences in ecosystems are dictated by species' range and habitat.
  • Ecosystem activities are geographically bound within a country or state.

Values of Biodiversity

• Social Value: Tied to social life, spiritual beliefs, and religious practices.
  • Several plants, including mango, banana, and tulsi leaves, have sacred significance across some countries.
  • Social value differs from society to society.
• Ethical Value: Every species has value intrinsically, even if it has no known use.
  • Some species are not directly useful to humans yet are valued simply for their presence.
• Aesthetic Value: The beauty of wildlife and natural landscapes encourages tourism.
  • People invest time and money to visit natural areas and view wildlife.
  • Tourism focused on nature is frequently called ecotourism.

Threats to Biodiversity

• Habitat Loss: Most habitat loss is a direct consequence of human population expansion.
  • Habitat loss is worsened by poaching, industrialized activities, and human-wildlife conflict.
  • Natural ecosystems are frequently misused and overused.
• Poaching: Particular species are threatened because of the substantial economic gains that can be made from them.
  • Rhinos are killed for their horns, elephants for their ivory, tigers for their skin and bones, and musk deer for their perfume.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Occurs when wildlife endangers or damages human property or lives.
  • Villagers and forest departments are frequently in conflict because of inadequate government compensation.

Endangered and Endemic Species

• Endangered Species: Plants and animals whose continued existence is threatened by human activities.
  • Endangered species are categorized as vulnerable, rare, intermediate, or threatened.
  • Threatened species are imminently close to extinction.
• Endemic Species: Restricted to a particular region or locality.

Biodiversity Conservation Methods

• In-situ Conservation: Preservation of species within their original habitats.
  • National parks, biosphere reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries are examples of in-situ conservation.
• Ex-situ Conservation: The preservation of species under controlled settings outside of their natural habitat.
  • Zoological parks for animals and botanical gardens for plants are examples of ex-situ conservation.
  • This conservation takes place under artificial conditions.

Need for Conserving Biodiversity

• Both current and future uses of biological diversity must be maintained.
  • Future generations must be able to use these resources.
• Earth’s life support systems must be maintained.
  • Human life and the biosphere depend on a healthy, biodiverse planet.

Case Study: Project Tiger

• The Government of India launched this centrally-sponsored scheme on April 1, 1973.
• Project Tiger aims to sustain a viable tiger population in their natural habitats.
  • Protecting areas of biological importance for education and employment and preserving tigers for their scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural, and ecological significance are all tied to this aim.
• The project initially encompassed 268 tigers and nine reserves, adding up to 16,339 square kilometers.
• There are 2,967 tigers living in 27 tiger reserves today, adding up to 37,761 square kilometers.
  • The area of these reserves makes up around 1.14% of the country's total geographical area.

Important Terms

• Botanical Gardens: Centers of conservation, education, and development that protect plant variety outside of nature in the largest areas.
  • Around 12,000 to 15,000 threatened species are grown.
• Zoological Parks: Centers for environmental education and ex-situ wildlife conservation that foster knowledge of ecological balance.
• Biosphere Reserves: Areas recognized internationally to foster a harmonious relationship between people and the biosphere.
  • They highlight the significance of sustainable use and nature conservation.
• Hotspots of Biodiversity: Areas with exceptional biodiversity that are in danger due to human habitation.
  • British biologist Norman Myers first used this phrase in 1988.
  • They have high rates of habitat loss and endemism.
• IUCN Red List: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is responsible for assessing species worldwide.
  • Plants and animals are classified according to surveys.
  • The Red List provides information on the current status of species.