Biodiversity Conservation PDF

Environmental Studies: Biodiversity BIODIVERSITY 2  Biodiversity The term biodiversity is made up of two words - bio and diversity. Bio means living and diversity means variety. So the variety or variability of organisms and ecosystem is referred to as bi...

Environmental Studies: Biodiversity BIODIVERSITY 2  Biodiversity The term biodiversity is made up of two words - bio and diversity. Bio means living and diversity means variety. So the variety or variability of organisms and ecosystem is referred to as biodiversity. 3  Kinds/Levels of biodiversity Genetic Diversity Variations among the genes of the same species are known as genetic diversity. It is this type of diversity that gives rise to the different varieties of rice, mangoes etc. 6 Species Diversity Species diversity is the number of different species that are represented in a given community Or Diversity which arises due to variations among species present in specific areas is called as ‘species diversity’. Horses and donkeys are distinct species, as are lions and tigers. 7 Ecosystem Diversity Ecosystem diversity is therefore, the diversity of habitats which include the different life forms within. The term also refers to the variety of ecosystems found within a biogeographically political boundary. Example of ecological diversity on a global scale would be the variation in ecosystems, such as deserts, forests, grasslands, wetlands and oceans. 8  Value of Biodiversity Consumptive values: Food Goods like fuel, timber, paper, and medicines Recreation: The biodiversity of the planet enables activities like wildlife tourism, nature photography, bird watching etc. Genetic resources: Biotechnology and genetic engineering use the genes of organisms to make new types of crops, medicines etc. Ecosystem functions Aesthetic and cultural benefits  Value of biodiversity Survival Health and Ecological Healing Services Productive Value Ethical and Aesthetic Value 11 Source: https://www.livingplanetindex.org/documents/LPR_2022_TechnicalSupplement_DeepDiveLPI.pdf  Hot spots of Biodiversity The richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on earth. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: 1. It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics (It must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet). 2. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. (In other words, it must be threatened). 13  Hot Spots of Biodiversity Biodiversity Hotspots are a method to identify those regions of the world where attention is needed to address biodiversity loss and to guide investments in conservation. Currently, 36 biodiversity hotspots have been identified, most of which occur in tropical forests. They represent just 2.5% of Earth’s land surface, but between them they contain around 50% of the world’s endemic plant species and 43% of all bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as endemics terrestrial vertebrates. Hot Spots of India 14  Causes of Biodiversity Loss Habitat loss and degradation Destruction of biodiversity-rich areas like tropical forests Destruction of coral reefs and wetlands Ploughing of grasslands Radical alteration of river systems by dams and water withdrawals threaten freshwater fish species Pollution of freshwater streams, lakes, and marine habitats 18  Habitat Fragmentation For a species to survive it requires a minimum extent of area in the ecosystem. Due to human impact, many large, continuous areas of habitat are being reduced in extent. This has many effects: Species become divided into smaller populations that cannot sustain themselves. Species becomes more vulnerable (exposed) to predators Ex: migratory birds face the loss of their seasonal habitats. Fragmentation creates barriers that limit the ability of the species to disperse and colonize new areas. 19  Commercial Hunting and Poaching Illegal trade in rare and endangered species of plants, birds and animals estimated to be US$ 8 billion per year. Animals such as rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, gorilla, butterfly etc. Decorative plants are also sold to collectors. The poachers, mostly poor people, depend on this trade for their livelihood. The country of origin does not get any benefit since no taxes or duties are paid. The country loses its biodiversity for nothing. 20  Induction of non native species When non native species introduced in an ecosystem and it has no predators, competitors, parasites, or pathogens to control its numbers, it can reduce or wipe out many local species. Parthenium Lantana Camara 21  Other causes of biodiversity decline Growing population and migration of farmers from overpopulated area Pollution Overexploitation of resources like over fishing in the ocean and excessive harvesting of medicinal plants by pharmaceutical industries. Construction of large dams that flood large biodiversity rich area 22  Man-wildlife conflict Sometimes we come across conflicting situations when wildlife starts causing immense damage and danger to man and under such conditions it becomes very difficult for the forest department to pacify the affected villagers and gain local support for wild-life conservation.  Elephant is one of the holy animal in India, especially in Kerala but due to elephant attack some 500 people are killed by each year.  The Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand is famous for notable man-eaters leopard, responsible for at least 400 attacks on humans.  The largest Swamp and mangroves forest of India is also home to over 500 Bengal tigers, who killed from 50-250 people per year in India and Bangladesh.  Causes of Man-animal conflicts Shrinkage of habitat. Man-eating tendency. Food scarcity. Electric wiring. Lack of corridors. Inadequate compensation to the farmers. Threats to Biodiversity Source: www.iucnredlist.org/ 25  Threats to Biodiversity Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ Dated: March 1, 2023  Red Data Book  Red data book is the document established by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for documenting the rare and endangered species of plants, animals, fungi and also a few local species that exist within a state or country. Least to highest threat category  Endangered species Plant or animal species which are at the verge of their extinction are called endangered species. Elephant, Gir lion, Crocodile, Flamingo, Bengal Tiger, etc. are some endangered animal species of India. 29  Endangered Species of India Indian Pangolin Great Indian Bustard Indian Kangaroo Lizard Asiatic Elephant https://www.iucnredlist.org/search/grid?query=India&searchType=species 30  Extinction of species An irreversible loss of species is called biological extinction. By extinction we mean complete disappearance of a species, that is not a single member of the extinct species is found on earth. Local and ecological extinction Before a species goes biologically extinct, it goes through stages of local and ecological extinction Local extinction means that the species is no longer found in the area it once inhabited. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6Ua_zW DH6U 31  Endemic Species  The plant or animal species confined to a particular region and having originated there or a species which occur continuously in that area are known as endemic species. Restriction of species or taxa in small region is known as endemism.  True Cardamoum (Eletaria repens), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Palash tree (Butea monosperma), Banyan (Ficus bengalensis), etc. are some of the endemic plants of India.  One-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), Snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Gir lion (Panthera leo persica) etc. are some of the endemic animals of India. True Cardamom Peepal Banyan Palash One-horned rhino Tahr Royal Bengal Tiger Gir lion  EDGE Species  Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species represent a disproportionate amount of unique evolutionary history. They have few close relatives, are often the only surviving member of their genus, and sometimes the last surviving genus of their evolutionary family.  Some EDGE species, such as elephants and pandas, are well known.  Conservation of biodiversity Biodiversity conservation is the scientific management at its optimum level and derives sustainable benefit for both the present and the future. There are two major approaches for conservation of biodiversity 1) In situ (on site) 2) Ex situ (off site) 36 In situ conservation – In situ means the natural or the original place. In situ conservation includes National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, etc. 37  Path of In-situ Conservation Identification and protection of natural areas that have high diversity. In situ done primarily by setting up national parks and reserves. In situ conservation through reserves is associated with limitations also. They do not receive the level of management and protection they need. 38  National Park National park are the area dedicated to conserve species with minimal and very low intensity of human activity. Objective: Conservation of species of habitat with minimal and very low intensity of human activity Features: No person reside in park other than public servants on duty and person permitted by chief wildlife warden. Zone: Core There are 106 existing national parks in India covering an area of 44,402.95 km2, which is 1.23% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, July, 2023). Source: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/npa_8231.aspx 39  Wild life sanctuary Dedicated to protect wild life and habitat considers the conservation of species only Human activity is allowed but interferences not allowed Objective: Conservation of species and habitants by manipulative management Features: No person reside in park other than public servants on duty and person permitted by chief wildlife warden. Zone: Core, Buffer and Restoration There are 567 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India covering an area of 125564.86 km2, which is 3.64 % of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, July, 2023). Source: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/wls_8230.aspx 40  Biosphere reserve “Natural areas that are generally used for scientific study” Objective: Conservation of natural resources and the improvement of the relationship between humans and the environment Features: Both human and natural influenced ecosystems; substantial human settlement. Zone: Core, Buffer, Restoration or Transition Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India. Source: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/br_8225.aspx The World Network of Biosphere Reserves, currently comprising 748 sites/regions designated by UNESCO in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites. Since 1976, is a unique global network explicitly linking sustainable development and 41 biodiversity conservation. Source: https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/wnbr 42  Advantages of in situ conservation: Long term protection Better opportunity for conservation as well as evolution Cheaper Limitations of in situ conservation: Proper protection against environmental pollution may not be enough in natural types of ecosystems 43 Ex situ conservation – In this technique, plant and animal species are conserved outside their natural habitats. Ex situ conservation is the chief mode of preservation of genetic resources. This can be done through establishment of gene banks, zoos, botanical gardens, culture collections, etc. 44  Path of Ex-situ conservation Conserve biodiversity in artificial setting. Chief mode of preservation of genetic resources. It includes storage of seeds in banks and gene in gene bank breeding of animal species in zoos setting up botanical gardens, aquariums and research institutes 45 Advantages of ex situ conservation Long-term conservation The species survive longer and may breed more offspring than usual The quality of offspring may be improved by genetic techniques if so required. Breeding of hybrid species is possible. Limitations of ex situ conservation Not a viable option for protection of rare species due to human interference Can be adopted for only a few kinds of species Overprotection may result in loss of natural occurrence. 46 Green Corridors  Biogeographical classification of India Biogeography is the study of patterns of distribution of organisms in space and time. India have nine phytogeographical regions 1. The Western Himalayas: Kumaon to north-east Kashmir 2. The Eastern Himalayas: Sikkim to Assam 3. Western Deserts: Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan & Gujrat 4. Gangetic Plains: Parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal 5. Central India: Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Northern Gujarat 6. Western Coast: Southern Gujarat to Kanaya Kumari 7. Deccan Plateau: Parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Karnataka 8. North-East India:Valleys of Brahmaputra 9. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Small and large islands situated near the equator 48  Zoogeographical Regions of India Himalayan Region: Consists of Yak, Gural, Snow leopard, Kasturi Deer Malabar Region: Various kind of Monkey, Deer Nilgiri Region: Variety of birds, lesser elephants and lions. Northern Plains: Elephants, leopard, neelgai, jackals, deer Desert lands: Deer, cheetah, snakes, lizards Deccan Plateau Region: elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, deer, variety of snakes. 49  Biodiversity Conservation Megadiverse Nation WHAT ARE MEGADIVERSE COUNTRIES? The mega-diverse countries are those that house the largest indices of biodiversity, including a large number of endemic species. This concept was first proposed in 1988 by Russell Mittermeier and is now used to raise awareness to the protection of natural biodiversity, and particularly in the countries where this is more abundant and threatened. Although they only account for around 10% of the Earth's surface, the mega-diverse countries house at least 70% of the planet's terrestrial biological diversity, including more than two thirds of all non-fish vertebrae species and three quarters of all the higher plant species. LIST OF MEGADIVERSE COUNTRIES The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) of the United Nations Environment Program has identified a total of 17 mega-diverse countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, United States, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Venezuela.  Characteristics of the megadiverse countries In accordance with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, for a country to be considered mega-diverse, it must: Have at least 5,000 endemic plants. Have marine ecosystems within its borders. For their part, according to the Group of Similar Mega-diverse Countries, mega-diverse countries contain one or more of the following characteristics: Geographic position: Most are in tropical areas, where there is a large diversity of species. Diversity of countries: Complexity of mountain scenery brings forth the diversity of atmospheres, soils and climates. Isolation: Progressive separation of islands and continents has allowed the development of unique flora and fauna. Size: Larger the size, the greater the diversity of scenery and species. Evolutionary history: Some of the countries are on crossroads between two biogeographic regions, producing a mixture of fauna and flora with different histories. Culture: the domestication of plants and animals has contributed to the natural wealth.  India: A megadiverse Nation Geographical Diversity: Contain Himalayan region, Ganga plains, Thar desert and Deccan plateau. Climatic Diversity: Different climatic conditions Biological Diversity: India have 9 phytogeographical regions Habitat Diversity: India represent all habitat of the world like Mountain, hills, plateau, plains, deserts. Cultural Diversity: Several developed ancient civilization have thrived in India. 52  Organization/Institutes working for protection and conservations Organization/Institutes working for wildlife protection and conservations  Key Points (Summary of biodiversity conservation) – We can protect species in their habitat or away from their habitat. – The number of and area covered by the world’s reserves have increased, but their management is not satisfactory. – Seed banks, zoos, and botanical gardens are important for biodiversity conservation, but they are beset with many difficulties. – There are international agreements to promote biodiversity conservation, the most important being the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 62  Key Points.... (contd) Under CBD, India has prepared a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. India has taken measures like the creation of biosphere reserves, protected areas, zoos, and botanical gardens for conserving biodiversity. Biotechnology promises immense benefits for agriculture, food production, and health, but brings with it many problems too. 63  Important Web Links http://intranet.bhu.ac.in/unit4.pdf https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/modelcurriculum/Chapter4.pdf 64 Acknowledgment Some images, animation, and material have been taken from the following sources: Textbooks: PERSPECTIVE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by ANUBHA KAUSHIK, C P KAUSHIK, NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS References Book: TEXTBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by D. DAVE AND S. S. KATEWA, CENGAGE LEARNING 3 All slides can be used for reading purpose only 65  Important Web Links https://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/modelcurriculum/Chapter3.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytxjYhcGNBs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz4tWkoaIjc&list=RDCMUCrEh8WOkQr xnlCZ6bXOjyEA&start_radio=1&t=60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V49IovRSJDs 66 Acknowledgment Some images, animation, and material have been taken from the following sources: Textbooks: PERSPECTIVE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by ANUBHA KAUSHIK, C P KAUSHIK, NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS References Book: TEXTBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES by D. DAVE AND S. S. KATEWA, CENGAGE LEARNING 3 All slides can be used for reading purpose only 67 Thanks