Biodiversity PDF

# BIODIVERSITY The total number of varieties of organisms or living things present in an area forms biodiversity of that area. Biodiversity was given by Edward Wilson. ## Levels of Biodiversity: The biodiversity is divided into 3 levels of biological organization. These are: - **Genetic diversit...

# BIODIVERSITY The total number of varieties of organisms or living things present in an area forms biodiversity of that area. Biodiversity was given by Edward Wilson. ## Levels of Biodiversity: The biodiversity is divided into 3 levels of biological organization. These are: - **Genetic diversity**: It is the measure of variety in genetic information contained in the organism. There are more than 150,000 genetically different strains of rice and 1000 varieties of mango in India. - **Species diversity**: It is a measure of variety of species present in a particular region. Western Ghats have greater amphibian species diversity as compared to Eastern Ghats. - **Ecological diversity**: It is a measure of diversity of ecosystems or community on earth. Ecological diversity is greater in India than Norway, due to the presence of a large no of ecosystems present in India. ## Loss of Biodiversity: Loss of biodiversity caused by overpopulation, urbanization and industrialization. - According to IUCN RED LIST in 2004, 784 species including 338 vertebrates, 359 invertebrates and 487 plants were enlisted. In last 20 years, about 27 species are disappeared. ## Causes of Biodiversity Loss: There are major causes of biodiversity loss, also known as “The Evil Quartet”. These are: - **Habitat loss and Fragmentation**: Habitat loss is the main cause of biodiversity loss. Over exploitation of natural resources has also been a dominant reason for the loss of habitats of species. - **Alien Introduction**: Introduction of new species into an ecosystem is a major threat to the native population. - **Co-extinction**: If two species are highly interdependent, the extinction of one leads to an extinction of the other. - **Environmental pollution and global climate change**: These are some major causes of biodiversity loss that are gradually affecting the lives of organisms ## Conservation of Biodiversity: Biodiversity can be conserved by two basic approaches. These are: - **In-situ conservation**: In this process, plant and animal species are protected in their natural habitat such as national parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, sacred groves, etc. - **Ex-situ conservation**: This means off-site conservation. In this process, the endangered plants and animals are protected by human culture techniques such as zoo, botanical garden, tissue culture technique. ### National Parks: A national park represents a well demarcated boundary for the protection of both plants and animals. Here, cultivation, forestry, grazing and habitat manipulation are not allowed. Private ownership is permitted in India. India has 102 national parks such as: - Corbett National Park (Uttarpradesh) - First National park in India - Kaziranga National Park (Assam) - Bhatikanska National Park (Odischa) - Gir Forest (Gujrat) - Periyar National Park (Kerala) ### Sanctuaries: It is an area reserved for conservation only for the well-being of wild animals. - Boundary is quite well demarcated. - Hunting is strictly prohibited. However, grazing, and collection of minor forest products are allowed, without any disturbance of the animals' life. - Private ownership is permitted. India has 412 sanctuaries such as: - Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan) - Chillika Sanctuary (Odischa) - Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary (Kerala) ### Biosphere Reserves: A biosphere reserve is a protected area in which multiple use of land and sustainable development of ecosystem is permitted. - It is divided into 3 zones: - **Core zone**: It is the central zone where no human activity is allowed. - **Buffer zone**: Some limited human activity is allowed. - **Transition zone**: Multiple human activities are allowed without disturbing ecosystem. - There are 14 biosphere reserves in India such as: - Simlipal biosphere reserve (Odischa) - Niligiris biosphere reserve (Odisha) - Kanchenjunga biosphere reserve (Sikkim) ### Sacred Groves: Here, forest fragments are protected based on religious beliefs. Some examples: - Kharo and Jaiñtia hills (Meghalaya) - Aravalli hills (Rajasthan) - Sanguja, Chanda and Baster area (Madhyapradesh) ### Zoo / Zoological Park: - Zoo is a man-made area where animals are kept within an enclosure, and displayed for public viewing. - Animals are allowed to breed. - Zoo is an example of in-situ conservation. Examples: - Nandankanan Zoo (Odisha) - National Zoological Park (New Delhi) - Alipore Zoo (Kolkata) ### Botanical Garden: - Botanical garden is an area where endangered plant species are kept. - Human activity is involved: - Scientific research, conservation, education and display to the public are made. - The plant are labeled with their botanical name. Examples: - Botanical garden Sarangpur (Chandauganj) - Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden (Pashan, Pune) - Exatia kanan botanical garden (Odisha) ## Hotspot of Biodiversity: - Hotspots are the areas with a high density of living species. - They are also called Mega-biodiversity. - Ecologically, hot spots are determined by the following factors: - Number of species (Species richness) - Variety of Species - Degree of endemism - Degree of threats to habitat. - In the world, there are 34 hotspots. Out of them, 3 hotspots found in India: - Western Ghats - Himalayas - Indo-Burma ## Reason for Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity can be conserved due to following reasons: - **Utility values**: - **Human derives economic benefits from nature like food, firewood, construction materials, industrial products, medicines, perfumes and medicines.** - More than 25% of drugs/medicine are derived from plants - **Broadly utilitarian arguments**: - Biodiversity plays a major role in providing O2 from plants. - About 20 % of total O2 is produced from the Amazon forest. - Pollination through bees, birds, bats etc. - Aesthetic pleasure. - **Ethical arguments**: - Every species has an intrinsic value. - We have a moral duty to care for their well-being.