Lecture 2: Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation PDF

Unit II NATURAL RESOURCES & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Dr. Sunita Varjani, PhD, FSAB Sr. Associate Professor, School of Engineering Jointly with SoHST Cabin 3, Block B, 2nd Floor, Hubble...

Unit II NATURAL RESOURCES & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Dr. Sunita Varjani, PhD, FSAB Sr. Associate Professor, School of Engineering Jointly with SoHST Cabin 3, Block B, 2nd Floor, Hubble UPES, Dehradun, India Adjunct Professor: Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Contact: +91-9909828684 (Mobile); 0135-2770137 (Ext: 1321) (Office) Highly Cited Researcher 2022 (Top 1% in the world), Clarivate’s Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher (Top 2% in the World), Stanford University and Elsevier Citation Report (2019-Continue)  NATURAL RESOURCES Any stock or reserves that can be drawn from nature is a natural resources. Air Water Forest Coal Minerals Soil  Based on their utility , natural resources can be classified source of food and raw materials etc. Based on their origin, they are classified as biotic and abiotic resources. Biotic resources obtained from any component of biodiversity include forest and forest products, crops, birds, animals, fish and other marine life forms. Coal, petroleum and mineral oils are also included in this category because they are originated from organic matter. Abiotic resources include air, water, land and minerals. Based on their quantity in nature and extent of continuous availability, natural resources are classified into two categories: inexhaustible resources and exhaustible resources Inexhaustible resources occur in abundance (unlimited amount), are not likely to be exhausted soon by human use and thus would last for fairly a longer period. These include wind, water, sun etc. Exhaustible resources occur in limited amount in nature therefore, likely to become exhausted one day due to continuous use. These include minerals, fossil fuels, forest and wildlife , water. These exhaustible resources are of the following two types: renewable and non-renewable.  Renewable resources-Although exhaustible, these can be regenerated simultaneously along with their exploitation , and hence always available for use for longer periods. They can be maintained themselves by natural recycling and reproduction or can be replenished if managed wisely.They include forest, wildlife, wind energy, biomass energy ,tidal energy, hydro energy Non-renewable resources – Cannot be replenished or regenerated and hence , they get exhausted due to unlimited continuous use. Example- coal ,Petroleum, minerals.  Natural Resources Forest resources Water resources Mineral resources Energy resources Land resources Biodiversity Wild life  Forest resources Natural resources Covering earth like green blanket Forest ecosystem is dominated by trees , their species- content varying in different parts of the world. Produces innumerable goods and also environmental services Forest contribute substantially to the economic development of our country by providing goods and services to the people and industry.  Uses of forest Commercial use – Timber, Pulpwood, Fruits, Spices, beverages, Fodder, Rubber, Gum, Fibres, Drugs & medicines, Minerals, bamboo canes Ecological use - Production of oxygen, Reducing global warming, Wildlife habitat, Regulation of hydrological cycle, Soil conservation, Pollution moderator  Deforestation Cutting down of the forest at large scale Total forest of the world in 1900 ------7,000 million hectare. 1975------ 2890 million hectare. 2000-------2,300 million hectare. https://www.google.com/search?q=deforestation&sxsrf=APq-WBtlccCSSkFutXIX1maM- bq6YXWV4w:1644847621919&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi04Nrxrv_1AhVz7HMBHQMNCOEQ_AUoAXoEC AkQAw&biw=1242&bih=597&dpr=1.1#imgrc=lUhNXftWfrJc8M  Causes of Deforestation Shifting cultivation Fuel requirements Raw materials for industrial use Development projects Growing food needs Overgrazing Forest fires  Shifting Cultivation: There are an estimated 300 million people living as shifting cultivators who practice slash and burn agriculture and are supposed to clear more than 5 lakh ha of forests for shifting cultivation annually. In India, we have this practice in North East and to some extent in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and M.P which contribute to nearly half of the forest clearing annually. https://www.bibalex.org/SCIplanet/en/Article/Details.aspx?id=5180 Fuel requirements: Increasing demands for fuel wood by the growing population in India alone has shooted up to 300-500 million tons in 2001 as compared to just 65 million tons during independence, thereby increasing the pressure on forests  Raw materials for industrial use: Wood for making boxes, furniture, railway- sleepers, plywood, match-boxes, pulp for paper industry etc. have exerted tremendous pressure on forests. Plywood is in great demand for packing tea for Tea industry of Assam while fir tree wood is exploited greatly for packing apples in J&K. Development projects: Massive destruction of forests occur for various development projects like hydroelectric projects, big dams, road construction, mining etc. / https://wrm.org.uy/articles-from-the-wrm-bulletin/viewpoint/infrastructure-and-extraction-a-host-of-deforestation Growing food needs: In developing countries this is the main reason for deforestation. To meet the demands of rapidly growing population, agricultural lands and settlements are created permanently by clearing forests Overgrazing: The poor in the tropics mainly rely on wood as a source of fuel leading to loss of tree cover and the cleared lands are turned into the grazing lands. Overgrazing by the cattle leads to further degradation of these lands https://lpfw.org/our-work/ending-resource-abuse/overgrazing/  Consequences of deforestation It threatens the existence of many wildlife species due to destruction of their natural habitat. Biodiversity is lost and long with that genetic diversity is eroded. Hydrological cycle gets affected, thereby influencing rainfall. Problems of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility increase. In hilly areas it often leads to landslides More carbon is added to the atmosphere and global warming is enhanced.  Forest management Afforestation: planting trees on barren land For one tree cut 10 tress should be planted Afforestation done by following ways : Commerical forestry Social forestry Agroforestry  COMMERICAL FORESTRY Involves intensive plantation of trees on available land or on land not under agriculture with the aim of fulfilling the commercial demand ,without causing denudation of natural forests. Generally fast growing trees (Eucalyptus, Acacia) are raised under modern techniques. The production forestry programmes include social forestry, agro forestry and urban forestry programme.  Social forestry Involves raising of trees for firewood ,fodder, agricultural implements and fruits on public, roads, rails and common land for the benefits of rural community. It reduces pressure on the existing forests. A number of indigenous and /or exotic species which can meet the requirement of rural community are used for plantation in social forestry.  Agro forestry This programme aims at surviving an ancient practice of using the same land for farming and forestry. Under this programme woody species are grown in combination with herbaceous crops ,either at the same time or in time sequence.  Minerals Are naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solids having a definite chemical composition and characteristics physical and chemical properties. Uses - Generation of power, Development of industrial plant and machinery, Construction ,housing and settlement , Formation of alloys for various purposes  Types of minerals Critical minerals are essential for the economy of a nation like aluminium, copper, gold Strategic minerals are those required for the defence of a country eg Manganese ,cobalt, platinum, chromium.  Mining Is the extraction of minerals and coal from earth surface Mining are of 2 types Surface mining Sub surface mining https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-ends-monopoly-over-coal-opens- mining-sector-to-private-players-120051700021_1.html  Based on properties Minerals are 2 types Metallic minerals Under this category are mainly iron, non-ferrous metals, silver and gold are important. Non Metallic minerals Eg graphite, diamond  Sub Surface mining is done to extract minerals ( or fossil fuels ) from deep deposit in soil by using sub surface mining. Surface mining Extraction of minerals from shallow deposit is known as surface mining. Surface mining can make use of any of three types Open pit mining Dredging Strip mining  Open pit mining In which machines dig holes and removes the ores ( example copper, iron, gravel, marble) https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/open-pit-mining-safety  Dredging In which chain buckets and draglines are used which scrap up minerals from underground water minerals deposits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredging  Strip mining In which ores is stripped off by using bull dozers, power shovels and stripping wheels( eg phosphate rocks) https://scied.ucar.edu/image/coal-strip-mine  Impacts of mining Devegetation and defacing of landscape Subsidence of land Groundwater contamination Surface water contamination Air pollution Occupational health hazards De-vegetation and defacing of landscape Topsoil and vegetation is removed from mining area to get assess of minerals Large scale deforestation or devegetation leads to ecological loss Landscape get badly affected Huge quantities of debris and alongwith big scar and disruption of spoil aesthetic value Make more prone to soil erosion.  Subsidence of land Associated with underground mining It results in – Tilting of buildings Cracks in houses Buckling of roads Bending of rail tracks Leaking of gas from cracked gas pipelines  Groundwater contamination Mining pollutes groundwater Affects hydrological cycle Sulphur normally present as impurity in ore get converted into sulphuric acid through microbial action Some heavy metals leached into groundwater contaminated it Posing health hazards  Surface water pollution Acid mine drainage often contaminates the nearby streams and lakes. The acidic water detrimental to aquatic life Radioactive material affects the aquatic life Heavy metals contaminates the water body and affects the aquatic life  Air pollution Smelting is done to purify the metals from other impurities During smelting enormous quantities of air pollutant released affects vegetation and causes serious environmental impacts. Example SPM, soot, lead ,cadmium shoot up in smelter atmosphere causes health problems  Occupational health hazards Miners suffers from respiratory and skin problems due to constant exposure to SPM and other toxic  Floods Countries like India and Bangladesh rainfall does not occur throughout the year. Concentrated in June –September. Heavy rainfall often causes floods in the low lying coastal areas. Prolonged downpour causes the overflowing of the rivers and lakes resulting into floods.  Causes of floods Deforestation Overgrazing Mining Rapid industrialization Global warming Solution Networking of rivers Building of dams Afforestation  Drought When annual rainfall is below normal and less than evaporation, drought condition are created. Causes Overgrazing Deforestation Mining Solution Mixed cropping Social forestry and waste land reclamation.  Cyclones Recurring phenomena in the tropical coastal regions. Tropical cyclones in warm ocean formed because of heat and moisture. Requirement for tropical cyclones is that sea surface temperature should be above 26 degree Celsius. It moves like spinning top at the speed of 10-20 km /hr.  They may last for a week or so and have a diameter varying between 100 to 1500 km. Since in Western parts of the main ocean no cold current exist ,tropical cyclones originates here. Tropical cyclones are called ❖Hurricanes in the Atlantic, Caribbean and north eastern pacific ❖Typhoons in western pacific ❖Cyclones in Indian Ocean ❖Willy willies in the sea around Australia  The devastation is more when storm surge and normal astronomical tide coincide. Sea water with combines forces rushes inland and inundates the low lying areas. Management ❑Planting more trees on the coastal belt ❑Construction of dams, dykes, embankments, storm shelter, wind breaks ❑Proper drainage ❑Wide roads for quick evacuation  Tsunamis Japanese word Tsu means harbour Nami stands for waves Tsunamis are large waves generated when the sea floor is deformed by seismic activity ,vertically the overlying water in the ocean.  Tsunamis (Contd..) It occur due to volcanic eruption and landslides in the ocean bed. New phenomenon to Indonesia ,India, Srilanka ,Thailand An eroded beach front is more prone to onslaught of tsunami waves. Reduction in the thickness of the sand dunes Also reduces the availability of good quality of groundwater.  Tsunamis (Contd..) Mitigation measures Afforestation Quick Evacuation management  Agriculture Man was a just hunter or gatherer quiet like a animal. 10,000-12,000 years back he took agriculture by cultivating plant of his own choice He used slash and burn agriculture (Traditional Agriculture) Traditional agriculture and its impacts Used ❖Simple tools ❖Small plot ❖Naturally available water ❖Organic fertilizer ❖Mix crop Impacts of Traditional Agriculture Deforestation Soil erosion Depletion of nutrients  Modern agriculture Use ❖ Hybrid seeds of selected and single crop varieties. ❖High tech equipments ❖ Lots of energy subsides in the form of fertilizers, pesticides ,and irrigation water Output Food production is increased evidenced by green revolution.  Land resources Is a finite and valuable resource Depend on land for fibre, fruits & fuel woods Soil especially the topsoil is considered as renewable resource because it is continuously regenerated by natural process through at a very slow rate  SOIL RESOURCES The top layer of the earth is called soil, which is very fertile because it contains minerals and humus Soil is natural habitat for plants and animals It provides water and nutrients to the living organisms Soil is much damaged through tree cutting running water and wind  SOIL RESOURCES (Contd…..) It has been estimated that from 1959 to 1969 there was a loss of 16.9 lacs of hectare of land Trees check the force of strong winds which causes the fertile soil to move from its original place. Thus, trees act as wind breakers Roots of the soil bind the soil firmly. This prevents the soil erosion from rain and floods and fertile soil is checked from damage SOIL RESOURCES (Contd…..) The lithosphere is the solid, rocky crust covering entire planet Also known as crust. This crust is inorganic and is composed of minerals. It covers the entire surface of the earth from the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Mariana Trench Silica and Aluminium dominate in this layer and hence it is sometimes called ‘Sial’ Its average thickness is about 20 Kms ( 8-40 Kms) It is thin below ocean beds and thick in continents Crust comprises 0.4 % of the total mass of earth SOIL RESOURCES (Contd…..) Soil is the topmost layer of earth’s surface which is composed of mineral and organic matter and is capable of sustaining plant life. Word soil has been derived from latin word ‘solum’ which means topmost layer of crust. It is a dynamic layer of crust which goes on changing and developing constantly. Soil is formed by wear and tear of the crust, a process which has been going on through the ages. This process is called weathering  Component of soil The main components of soil are: Inorganic material: It is parent material of soil. It is in the form of sand, silt, clay etc. which is formed by wear and tear of rocks and minerals. The chemical constituents of soil are nitrogen (helps in growth of plants), phosphorus (helps in the ripening of grain and increases the yield), potassium (determines the quality of grain), calcium (helps in growth of leaves which in turn provide food to plants) etc. Organic Material: Organic matter is added to soil by dead animals and vegetation matter. This matter is decomposed by microorganisms to form humus. Humus helps in cementing the lose particles of sand, silt and clay; provides food to plants; improves water retention power of soil.  Water Air Microorganisms: These decomposers decompose dead animals and plants. They utilize the organic matter, derive energy and release inorganic substances. They fix atmospheric nitrogen. Animals like earthworms keep the soil porous.  Soil erosion Wearing away of soil. Defined as movement of soil component especially surface litter and top soil from one place to other  Types of soil erosion Based on cause Normal erosion Accelerated erosion Based on Climatic agents Water Erosion Wind erosion Based on Biotic Agent Water Erosion Sheet erosion Rill erosion Gully erosion Slip erosion Stream bank erosion  Biotic Agent Excessive grazing Mining without land reclamation Irrigation techniques that leads to salt build up Water logged soil Farming on land with unsuitable terrain Soil compaction by agricultural machinery Deforestation without reforestation Top soil is disturbed ,devoid of vegetation cover - ---- land is directly exposed to action of various physical forces---- cause erosion  Overgrazing ---- 35% of world’s soil erosion Deforestation ---- 30% of earth’s seriously eroded lands. Unsustainable methods of farming ---28% of soil erosion.  Ways to Control soil erosion Soil fertility can be restored by supplementing manures and fertilizers Plants and animals when die are decomposed by bacteria and fungi, which increase the fertility of soil Contour farming On gentle slopes , crops are grown in rows across, rather than up and down , a practice is known as contour farming. Each row planted horizontally along the slope of the land acts as a small dam to help hold soil and slow down loss of soil through run off water  Ways to Control soil erosion (contd.) Terrace farming: It is used on steeper slopes are converted into a series of broad terraces which run across the contour. Terracing retains water for crops at all levels and cuts down soil erosion by controlling run off. Strip cropping: Here strips are alternated with strips of soil saving cover crops like grasses or grasses legume mixture.Whatever run off comes fro the cropped soil is retained by the strip of cover crop and this reduces soil erosion. Nitrogen fixing legumes also help in restoring soil fertility of soil. Ways to Control soil erosion (contd.) Alley cropping : It is a form of intercropping in which crops are planted between rows of tress or shrubs.this is also called agro forestry.Even when crops are harvested the soil is not fallow because tress and shrubs still remains on the soil holding the soil particles and prevents soil erosion Windbreakers: They help in reducing erosion caused by strong winds.tress are planted in long rows along the cultivated land boundary so that wind is blocked. Wind speed is substantially reduced which help in preventing wind erosion Biodiversity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_biodiversity  Biodiversity Refers variety and variability among all groups of living organisms and the ecosystem complexes in which they occur. Or In the convention on Biological Diversity (1992) ,biodiversity has been defined as the variability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystem and the ecological complexes of which they are a part.  Levels of biodiversity Genetic Species Ecosystem https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.springernature.com%2Foriginal%2Fspringer- static%2Fimage%2Fprt%253A978-3-319-95981-8%252F7%2FMediaObjects%2F978-3-319-95981-8_7_Part_Fig1- 53_HTML.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2F10.1007%2F978-3-319-95981- 8_53&tbnid=MijFRO0QpNe_qM&vet=12ahUKEwibh- 3fuP_1AhUR_DgGHaLFCZgQMygEegUIARC_AQ..i&docid=N3N__Paw0RFuLM&w=1016&h=740&q=genetic%20div ersity&ved=2ahUKEwibh-3fuP_1AhUR_DgGHaLFCZgQMygEegUIARC_AQ Genetic diversity Basic source of biodiversity Gene found in organisms can form enormous combinations each of which give rise to some variability. Gene are basic source of hereditary Gene within same species show different versions due to new combination ,it is called genetic variability. Species diversity Variability found within the population of a species or between different species of a community. Represent species richness and abundance. Two index for measuring species diversity are Simpson index Shannon wiener index  Ecosystem diversity This is the diversity of ecological complexity showing variation in ecological niches ,trophic structure, food webs, nutrient cycling. The ecosystem also show variation in moisture, temperature ,altitude, precipitation Based on the spatial distribution the biodiversity at local level is classified as follows (i)Point richness refers to the number of species that can be found at a single point in a given space. (ii)Alpha (α-) richness refers to the number of species found in a small homogeneous area (iii)Beta (β-) richness refers to the rate of change in species composition across different habitats. (iv)Gamma (γ-) richness refers to the rate of change across large landscape gradients. India as Mega Biodiversity 47000 species of plant 89451 species of animal India is considered as a Mega Diversity region because it has wide variety of endemic flora and fauna.  Bio Geographical Classification India has different types of climate and topography in different parts of the country. These variation have induced enormous variability in flora and fauna. India occupies 10th position among plant rich nation in the world Biogeography comprises both phyto geography and zoogeography deals these aspects of plants and animals.  Occurrence of plants and animals in a particular area is dependent upon its environment. Similar plants and animals found in a separate areas but having similar climate. Such areas form a bio-geographical type. In order to gain insight about the distribution and environmental interaction of flora and fauna of the country India is divided into 10 Biogeographical region Bio Geographical Classification Trans Himalayan Himalayan Desert Semi arid Western Ghat Deccan Pennisular Gangetic Plain North-East India Islands Coasts  Trans Himalayan Biogeographic Zone Upper region Important flora and fauna Pine ,deodar wild sheep, Yak, Tibtean ass, Snow leopard Marmot, Wolf ,Black necked crane. Himalayan Desert Biogeographic Zone Biogeographic Zone North West Himalayas Kutch, West Himalayas Thar , Central Himalayas Ladakh East Himalayas Important Flora and Important Flora and Fauna Fauna Pine, cork tree, Sal, Dhaak, Acia, Zizyphus Castor ,Khejri, Date palm Wild bear ,Sambar, leopard, Camel, Bastard ,Ass, Sikkim Stag, Musk Deer Desert, Cat ,Fox ,Rat Semi arid Western Ghats Biogeographic Zone Biogeographic Zone Central India ,Gujarat – Malabar Coat ,Western Rajwara Ghat Mountain Important Flora and Important Flora and Fauna Fauna Acacia, Date Palm, Peepal Gir Lion ,Tiger Sheesham, Peepal, Sariska ad Ranthambore Tuna , Bahera ( tiger Reserve ) Tortoise, Frog ,Lizards ,Snakes Deccan Peninsula Gangetic Plain Biogeographic Zone Biogeographic Zone Deccan Plateau Upper Gangetic and South Central Plateau Lower Gangetic plain Eastern Plateau Important Flora and Chhota Nagpur Fauna Central Highlands Sal ,Acacia, Jamun, Important Flora and Mango Fauna Stag, Rhinoceros Acacia ,Palash , tuna ,Gazzel, Turtle , Black Chinkara Tiger, Cheetal ,Four horned Stag North East India Islands Biogeographic Zone Biogeographic Zone Brahmaputra valley Andaman and North East hills Nicobar Island , Important Flora and Lakshadweep Island Fauna Important Flora and Fauna Bamboo, Sal , Jack fruit Coconut, Clove, Cardamom Yak ,Deer, Rhino Dolphin Molluscs  Hot spots of Biodiversity The area that are extremely rich in biodiversity that harbor great diversity of endemic species and at the same time they have been significantly degraded by human activities. Norman Meyer (1988) coined this hotspot concept. Hotspots region must satisfy the following condition It must support 15000 endemic plant species. that have lost 70 % of its original habitat There are 25 hot spots in the world. India’s Hot– spots are Eastern Himalaya & Western Ghat  Endemic Species The species which are confined to a certain region. It may be continent, country, state or even small ecosystem.  Soil Formation and protection Soil can be preserve by maintaining biodiversity, retaining moisture, preventing erosion. Plant body provide organic matter to soil through decay. Root system facilitate microbial activity and increase porosity of soil  Nutrient Storage and Cycling All the nutrient are recycled in nature. These nutrient found in air, water, soil. Plant take up these nutrient from air, water, soil which enter in the animals body through food chain. After the death of plant and animal these nutrient come back in the environment through decomposition process which is carried out by bacteria and fungi. Some bacteria and fungi convert the atmospheric nitrogen into nitrate, nitrite through biological nitrogen fixation. For eg. Rizobium Leguminous relationship. Rhizobium is one of the main N2 – fixing bacteria living in the nodules of root of leguminous plants. Maintaining Climate Stability Vegetation affect climate at macro and micro level. Dense forest promote rainfall by recycling of water vapor. Reducing Pollution Different kind of bacteria , fungi and protozoa are well known for the decomposition and break down micro – organism. These microorganism absorb the pollutant like sewage, garbage and oil spills. Natural and artificial wetland are being used to filter effluent to remove nutrient. Maintenance of Ecosystem All species are equally important in our ecosystem. Disruption of one species can lead to destruction of whole ecosystem. According to food chain and food web all species of plant and animal are interrelated with each other. For e.g Plant ---- deer------lion If the population of lion is destroyed the population of deer can increase in excess and overpopulation of deer will eat up whole grasses in grassland ecosystem thus making into degraded ecosystem. If the population of deer decreased it can lead to overgrowth of plant that will lead to competition between the various species of plants and in this way whole ecosystem can be degraded.  Habitat loss and fragmentation Increasing population is leading to urbanization and industrialization which require more land every year. There is destruction of natural habitat through filling of wetland , cutting tree, ploughing grassland burning forest. https://sustain.round.glass/explainers/explainer-habitat-fragmentation/#images Disturbance and degradation Natural disturbance like flood, earthquake, forest fire, pest infestation like coast attack Man made disturbance like felling of trees, litter accumulation pollution lead to degradation of habitat and loss of biodiversity. Selective Forestry Due to profit motive there is tendency to grow economically lucrative tree for economic benefit. Eg. Sal, Teak, Eucalyptus Due to this tendency other species are driven away from the area. Over Exploitation Due to overexploitation of natural resources some time many species become endangered and vulnerable which may extinct in near future. Intensive Agriculture Grassland , forest and wetland are destroyed to make way for cultivation of land. Destruction of biodiversity mainly caused by excessive use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides Application of Hybrid varieties of plant which are genetically modified that resulted loss of traditional varieties.  Poaching Trade pay large amount of money to poacher and smuggler. Trade for live specimen , furs, hides, skin Although strict law have been made yet these product are widely traded Pollution Excessive use of pesticides pollute the water which prove harmful to certain species. Runoff fertilizer may lead to Eutrophication Air pollution, soil Pollution and water pollution cause deleterious impact on various species of flora and fauna Disease Pathogen may attack certain species and destroy entire population. The incidence of disease in wild species is on rise due to human activities.  Red Data Book IUCN publishes the red data book which includes the list of endangered species of plants and animals. Red symbolizes warning signals for those species which are endangered and if not protected are likely to become extinct in near future.  EXTINCT SPECIES A species is not seen in the wild for 50years at a stretch. Example Dodo ,Passenger Pigeon  ENDANGERED SPECIES A species is said to be endangered when its numbers has been reduced to critical levels or whose habitat, have been drastically reduced and if such a species is not protected and conserved, it is in immediate danger of extinction. https://visualdictionary.org/endangered-species/  VULNERABLE SPECIES A species is said to be vulnerable if its population is facing continuous decline due to overexploitation or habitat destruction. Such a species is still abundant, but under a serious threat of becoming endangered if casual factors are not checked.  RARE SPECIES Species are not endangered or vulnerable at present ,but are at risk are categorized as rare species. These taxa are usually localized within restricted areas i.e. they are usually endemic. Sometimes they are thinly scattered over a more extensive area. https://www.thebetterindia.com/25528/7-rare-and-exotic-wildlife-species-that-can-be-found-in-india/ Conservation of biodiversity includes all human efforts to preserve wild animals and plants from extinction. It involves the protection and wise management of wild species of plants an animals at their environment. Their 02 basic categories in this regards- In situ conservation Ex situ conservation  / https://stellariasacademy.online/conservation-of-biodiversity/21/02  In situ conservation In- situ conservation means the conservation of the species in it natural ecosystem. In –order to promote in –situ conservation protected area have been developed like National park, Sanctuaries and Biosphere reserve etc. National Park It is habitat oriented. It has been developed for the conservation of habitat of particular species. Activities like forestry, grazing and cultivation are not permitted here. No private ownership of land is allowed here. National park usually devoted to habitat and betterment of particular wild species like Tiger, Lion. Limited human activities is allowed in buffer zone but no biotic interference is tolerated. National Park Sanctuary This is more generally species oriented as for Great Indian Bustard and Pitcher Plant Human activities like collection of fuel , fodder, litter are allowed but they should not interfere life of animal. Biosphere Reserve Biosphere programme have been launched under MAB (Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme in 1971. It is ecosystem oriented. It is a special category of protected area of land devoted to totality of all term of life. It may be divided into three categories 1. Core Zone : This area is legally protected and remain undisturbed. 2. Buffer Zone: It can be used educational activities and research. 3. Transition Zone: Here is active co-operation between reserve manager and local in habitant. All kind of activities can take place here provided that they do not disturb the harmony of Biosphere. Name of the site 1. Nilgiri – Silent Valley and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) 2. Nanda Devi -Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Almora Districts (Uttaranchal) 3. Nokrerk -Part of Gora Hills (Meghalaya 4. Manas - Assam 5. Sunderbans -West Bengal 6. Gulf of Mannar : Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu) Great Nicobar 7. Similpal - Orissa 8. Dibru Saikhowa - Arunachal Pradesh 9. Dehang Debang-Madhya Pradesh 10. Pachmarhi - Madhya Pradesh 11. Kanchanjanga- Sikkim Ex-situ Conservation Conservation of the species from outside their natural habitat. In other word it is in captivity under human care. The endangered species of animals are collected and bred under controlled condition in Zoo, Farm and Aquarium. Plant Species are kept in botanical garden, Botanical Garden, Zoological Garden, Seed Bank ,Pollen Storage. Thank you !!!