Biodiversity Unit 3 PDF

UNIT III BIODIVERSITY  BIODIVERSITY Father of biodiversity - Edward O. Wilson International Forest Day – March 21  IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is the source of our food, shelter, and source of living. Biodiversity is what keeps us safe from different natural wor...

UNIT III BIODIVERSITY  BIODIVERSITY Father of biodiversity - Edward O. Wilson International Forest Day – March 21  IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is the source of our food, shelter, and source of living. Biodiversity is what keeps us safe from different natural world disasters. Biodiversity is what provides us with insights about art and literature. Biodiversity is the source of human being’s motivation to explore space. Biodiversity hotspot in India Following the criteria must for an area to be declared as Biodiversity Hotspot, there are major four biodiversity hotspots in India: The Himalayas Indo-Burma Region The Western Ghats Sundaland  Invasive species / Exotic species An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native to a particular area. An invasive species is an introduced species that expands into a new habitat and causes environmental or economical damage. Invasive species are a growing One of the major reasons for the depleting threat to ecosystems around the surface water in forests is the weed intrusion. world, with potentially devastating consequences for biodiversity, agriculture, and human health. These organisms, often introduced unintentionally, spread and outcompete native species, altering the natural balance of an ecosystem. Extinct Plants & Animals Extinction is the death of all members of a species of plants, animals or other organisms. 1690 Dodo bird – extinct from predation by introduced pigs and cats 1768 Stellar’s sea cow – extinct from hunting for fur and oil 1870 Labrador duck – extinct from human competition for mussels and other shellfish 1900 Rocky mountain locust – extinct from habitat conversion to farmland 1936 Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger or wolf) – extinct from hunting, habitat loss, and competition with dogs 1952 Deepwater cisco fish – extinct from competition and predation by introduced fishes 1962 Hawaii chaff flower – extinct from habitat conversion to military installations 1989 Golden toad – extinct from climate change or other impacts 2004 St. Helena olive tree – extinct from logging and plantations Endangered Plants & Animals An endangered species is a type of organism that is threatened by extinction. The most endangered species in India are: Bengal Tiger. Asiatic Lion. Snow Leopard. One-horned Rhinoceros. Blackbuck. Lion-tailed Macaque. Resplendent Tree Frog. Kashmiri Red Stag. Nilgiri Tahr Indian Bison (Gaur) Project tiger project launched in 1973 Project elephant project launched in 1992 WWF The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Swiss- based international non- governmental organization founded in 1961. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is dedicated to protecting the world's wildlife by directing its conservation efforts toward protecting endangered spaces and addressing global threats. Red Panda is the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund. RED DATA BOOK The Red Data Book is a public document that is created for recording endangered and rare species of plants, animals, fungi as well as some local subspecies that are present in a particular region. National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary A national park is a natural park in use for conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. India's first national park was established in 1936, now known as Jim Corbett National Park, in Uttarakhand. National parks are also typically larger than sanctuaries. National parks usually have a wider variety of animals, as they are meant to protect entire ecosystems. A wildlife sanctuary is specifically designated to protect animals, while a national park is designed to protect both plants and animals. Biosphere Reserves Biosphere reserves are protected area which majorly aims to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development. It also restores the traditional life of the tribals living in that vicinity. They conserve the biodiversity of that area. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (2000)Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (2001) Biosphere reserves are unique because they act as living laboratories, promoting a balanced approach to conservation and development. Each reserve typically consists of three interconnected zones: Core Area: This is the heart of the biosphere reserve and is strictly devoted to conserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Buffer Zone: Humans are only permitted to conduct research and education here. These activities should not interfere with the core area’s conservation goals. Recreation and tourism facilities may also be included in this zone. Transition Zone: It is a biosphere reserve’s periphery where human activities such as cropping, recreation, forestry, and settlements are permitted with the cooperation of reserve management and local people. The degraded area is returned to its natural state as a result of these activities. Local communities, scientists, conservation organisations, cultural groups, and other stakeholders work in this zone to use the area in a sustainable manner for the benefit of the humans who live there. Sacred Groves Sacred groves are tracts of forest which are regenerated around places of worship. Sacred groves are found in Rajasthan, Western Ghats of Karnataka and Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh. Sacred groves help in the protection of many rare, threatened, and endemic species of plants and animals found in an area. The process of deforestation is strictly prohibited in this region by tribals. Hence, the sacred grove biodiversity is a rich area. Zoological Park A zoological park is a facility in which animals are placed within enclosures, cared for, displayed to the public, and may be used for the study. It is an ex-situ conservation of animals where animals are taken out of their natural habitats. They are used for the maintenance of wild animals and the reproduction of endangered species. Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur was the first Zoo established in the country in 1855. Botanical Garden Botanical gardens are places that are preserved and maintained to conserve plant species diversity. The plants are grown, preserved, and exhibited with their botanical names for the purpose of study and research. They also promote awareness in order to meet human needs and providing their well-being. Gene Banks The National Gene Bank was established in the year 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations, and has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds. Storehouses of seeds or vegetative tissue, kept in low humidity and temperature, to help maintain genetic diversity. Sometimes known as seed banks or germ plasm banks. Germplasm is living tissue from which new plants can be grown. National Parks in India  ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. Natural sources - Volcanic eruptions, windblown dust, sea-salt spray and emissions of volatile organic compounds from plants. Human made/Anthropogenic - It is the pollution caused by human activities. It includes burning of fossil fuels in industries, vehicles and thermoelectric plants, gaseous emission from industries, mining, processing and stone crushing. TYPES OF POLLUTION Pollutant is the substance that causes pollution AIR POLLUTION  NITRATE POLLUTION- METHEMOGLOBINEMIA/ BLUE BABY SYNDROME FLUORIDE POLLUTION - FLUOROSIS MINAMATA DISEASE IN JAPAN – MERCURY POISONING Between 1932 and 1968, Chisso's chemical factory in Minamata released large quantities of industrial wastewater that was contaminated with highly toxic methylmercury. This poisonous water bioaccumulated in local sea life that was then consumed by the immediate population. The methyl mercury that enters the body mainly attacks the central nervous system. The symptoms include numbness and unsteadiness in the legs and hands, tiredness, ringing in the ears, narrowing of the field of vision, loss of hearing, slurred speech, and awkward movements.