Resource Conservation PDF

Resource Conservation  “The globe without natural resources will be as the globe without nature. The resources not only add our lives, they serve the real of progress”. What is a resource? Anything which can be used for satisfying human needs. Includes Land resource Water resource Biotic...

Resource Conservation  “The globe without natural resources will be as the globe without nature. The resources not only add our lives, they serve the real of progress”. What is a resource? Anything which can be used for satisfying human needs. Includes Land resource Water resource Biotic resource Need to conserve resource? To prevent them from getting exhausted. To save for the future generations. To get continuous supply for a long time. Land Resources benefits include: > agricultural land > underground water > mines and minerals > forest Problems with land resource > improper land use (farming systems) > land degradation > erosion > deforestation Land resource conservation Process of protecting land to its natural state land use policy strict actions are taken to check overgrazing practice contour ploughing reforestation (rainforestation) construction of dams Water resources sources of water that are potentially useful for agricultural, industrial, household, and environmental activities a renewable resource that is important to life and the environment Threats to water resources pollution agricultural runoff habitat destruction hazardous wastes population growth sewage urbanization resource extraction Water conservation Biotic resources resources derived from the biosphere and the materials derived from them resources from living organisms including organic matter Threats to biotic resources  Levels of biodiversity Genetic Species Ecosystem genes within same represents species diversity in complex species show richness & systems in physical, variation abundance in a ecological, food community web, nutrient No. of plants, cycling animals, birds in diversity in forest an area. Values of biodiversity Consumptive use Value > in the form of food, drugs, fiber pulp, fuel, and wood > Food: 80,000 edible plants species are there. About 90% of present day food crops have been domesticated from wild plants A large number of wild animals are also source of food. > Drugs & Medicines:75% world’s population is dependent on plants or plant extracts for medicines 1.Isabgol- cure for bowel disorder obtained from husk of Plantago. 2.Penicillin- A wonder drug – used as Antibiotic – Fungus Penicillium 3. Tetracyclin- from bacterium ,Quinine – from Cinchona Tree- medicine for Malaria, Digitalin- from foxglove- for Heart Ailments ,vinblastin & vincristine – Anti-Cancer Alkaloids > Fuel: big source of fuel wood. Firewood collected by individuals are direct consumptive value Productive Use Value > these are commercially usable values where the product is marketed & sold  Musk Deer- production of Musk , silk worm- Silk, wool from sheep  Many industries are dependent on these products, e.g. pulp & paper industry, silk industry, ivory work, pearl industry, leather industry. Problems--- trading of products from endangered species. e.g smuggling of fur, horns, tusk, snake skin, cat skins. rich biodiversity are exploited. Social Values > values associated with social life, customs, religion and pyscho- spiritual aspects of the people > many plants are considered holy & sacred Ethical Value > “All Life must be preserved” based on “Live and let live”. > This means we don’t use the species directly or indirectly, but we feel sorry about the loss of a species. > e.g. Passenger Pigeon or Dodo ] They have a existence value Aesthetic Value It is related to the beauty of biodiversity The pleasure, excitement and visual peace of any area Concept of Eco-tourism and willingness to pay are gaining grounds, leading to monetary estimate for aesthetic value of biodiversity Option Value > This includes the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be explored. > This biological resources will be of importance in future if not today > e.g. Marine animals – anti cancer drugs Ecosystem Value > It refers to ecosystem services, it is a non-consumptive value. > Functions of ecosystems- nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, cycling of water Philippine biodiversity PHILIPPINES: high species diversity and high endemicity ENDANGERED ENDEMIC A species present in An organism such small numbers exclusively native to a that it is at risk of place or biota extinction. WHY IS THIS SO: the patchwork of isolated islands, the tropical location of the country, and the once extensive areas of rainforest Causes of wildlife loss  Loss of habitat > continuous increase in human population and escalating demand for our natural resources > conversion of forested land to agriculture. > loss of habitat to grazing land, industries, roads and cities. >habitat loss leads to the formation of isolated, small, scattered populations. > these small populations are increasingly vulnerable to inbreeding, which causes loss of gene pool, high infant mortality and susceptible to environmental changes, which all may lead to extinction of the species.  Poaching > Hunting for various body parts. > Illegal trade of skins, tusks, hair, horns > Many animals fall prey to various traps > International market very active Man Animal conflict > when animal enters human territory and kills > from fear Pollution > oilSpills > biomagnification > plastic accumulation > noise > algal Blooms > heat Introduction of Exotic / Invasive species Global Warming and Climate Change > as temperatures increased in recent decades, certain species began breeding and migrating earlier than expected. > other studies found that the geographical range of numerous species had shifted pole ward or moved to a higher elevation -- indicating that some plants and animals are occupying areas that were previously too cold for survival. > decline in breeding populations Plan to restore biotic resources? Categories….. World Conservation Union (formerly IUCN) There are 9 clearly defined categories into which every taxon in the world (excluding :micro-organisms) can be classified as given in RED DATA BOOK Categories EXTINCT (EX) A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. No reasonable record for last 50 years. e.g Indian Cheetah EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW) A taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range. e.g Mulberry Silk moth CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) This includes species, which are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. The population of such species is very low and the threats to its habitats are very high. E.g. Asiatic Lion. ENDANGERED (EN) It includes species that are not critically endangered but are in danger of extinction if the threats to its survival continue operating. Also, species whose numbers have been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction. E.g. Tiger. VULNERABLE (VU) It includes species that are not endangered but are likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the threats to its survival continue operating. It also includes species whose populations are still abundant but are under threat from severe adverse factors throughout their range. E.g. Giant Clam. NEAR THREATENED (NT) Species is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for one of these categories in the near future. E.g. Nicobar pigeon. Rare This includes species with small populations in the world that are not at present endangered or vulnerable, but are at risk. These species are usually restricted within specific geographical areas or habitats or are thinly scattered over a more extensive range. E.g. Himalayan rafflesia. NOT EVALUATED (NE) A taxon is Not Evaluated when it is has not yet been evaluated against the criteria. LEAST CONCERN (LC) A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. DATA DEFICIENT (DD) A taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. Biodiversity Conservation Considering the rich diversity and the threats conservation of this vast biodiversity is very important 2 major approaches In-situ conservation (at the place) Ex-situ conservation (out of the place) Protected Areas Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organizations involved. "protected area" also includes Marine Protected Areas, the boundaries of which will include some area of ocean, and Transboundary Protected Areas that overlap multiple countries which remove the borders inside the area for conservation and economic purposes. Protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation. Wildlife Sanctuary A Wildlife Sanctuary is a place where some rare, wild, indigenous mammals, birds, reptiles and any other form of wildlife are found in good numbers and represents a region that needs protection together with the natural environment. The State Forest Department creates such protected areas. The Chief Wildlife Warden monitors human activities such as livestock grazing, collection of forest produce and tourism, within the sanctuary’s precincts.